bc magazine

Hong Kong to Host ICC 2016 Women’s World Cup Qualifier – Asia

The road to the next Women’s Cricket World Cup is a long one but Hong Kong’s talented squad will play the first series of matches in their attempt to qualify at home after the International Cricket Council have awarded Hong Kong hosting rights of the ICC 2016 Women’s World Cup Qualifier – Asia, which will be held in October this year.

China, Nepal and Thailand will join Hong Kong in a round-robin tournament from the 9th-15th of October, at the Tin Kwong Recreation Ground in Mong Kok, with a place in the global qualifying tournament guaranteed for the winning team.

“The ICC 2016 Women’s World Cup Qualifier – Asia is an exciting opportunity for the top Women’s teams in Asia,” ICC Development and Programs Manager Andy Hobbs said. “The winner of this event will progress to the ICC 2017 Women’s World Cup Global Qualifier and have the opportunity to play against some of the top Women’s teams in the world and of course the chance to make it to the very pinnacle of Women’s Cricket at the world cup itself”.

The decision to award Hong Kong rights to host the tournament is yet another boost for local cricket in a year when Hong Kong has hosted its first ever One Day International, appeared in the ICC World Twenty20 and launched a new event, the Hong Kong T20 Blitz.

“We are thankful to the ICC for electing us to host the first ever Women’s World Cup Qualifier – Asia,” CEO Tim Cutler said. “We will be working closely with the government to ensure Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground is at the best standard it can be for this international event.”

“Our ladies are the pride of our indigenous development programmes with over half of the squad being of Hong Kong Chinese extraction. Witnessing the success of “big sister” China is particularly pleasing, and the HK v China matches are sure be the highlight for many.” Cutler continued “Such a diverse range of cultures make up our local cricket community and with a particularly large, proud, Nepalese community we expect to welcome some great crowds into the grounds over the course of the tournament.”

ICC 2016 Women’s World Cup Qualifier – Asia
Date: 9-15 October, 2016
Venue: Tin Kwong Recreation Ground
Tickets: tbc

Hong Kong Stumble Against Zimbabwe

hk v zimbabwe - march 2016

Batting fireworks from Jamie Atkinson and Tanwir Afzal were not enough as Hong Kong lost to Zimbabwe by 14 runs in the opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 2016 in Nagpur on Tuesday.

A late flurry with the bat, including a career-best 44-ball 53 from Atkinson and a brisk, undefeated 31 from skipper Tanwir off 17 balls, was not enough to chase down the target of 159 set by Zimbabwe.

It was the first time the teams have faced each other in a T20I, and Hong Kong’s precise fielding kept the Zimbabwe batsmen on their toes, with Babar Hayat contributing to three brilliant run outs from the boundary. Skipper Tanwir and 21-year-old Aizaz Khan claimed two wickets apiece as Zimbabwe posted 158 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

Hong Kong v Zimbabwe: World Twenty20 - 8 March, 2016

In response, Hong Kong got off to a slow start, but opener Atkinson unleashed to score 27 runs in his last three overs, while Tanwir smashed three fours and a six to race to an unbeaten 31 runs from only 17 deliveries. The batting onslaught proved too little, too late, however, and Zimbabwe recorded the first victory of the tournament by 14 runs.

Captain Tanwir Afzal said that despite the disappointment of losing, he saw many positives in his side’s performance: “Our plan was to bowl first and to restrict them for less than 140, and I think we managed that really well in the middle overs. We were in a position to control them, to restrict them below 145. The last few overs weren’t really good, so I think we had a very good plan that we executed well until the last few overs.”

“Even with their total, we knew we could chase that total and we know our batting ability, we can chase that.”

Tanwir said that the Zimbabwean bowlers effectively kept the Hong Kong run rate down at the beginning of the run chase: “We know that if we can save the wickets in the powerplay, we can accelerate later on. But unfortunately, we were able to save the wickets, but we couldn’t get our target in the powerplay. Credit goes to the Zimbabweans, they bowled really well in the powerplay.

“Of course we are disappointed with the result, and we know that runs really matter in the points table. The next game is really crucial for us. We know that we are still alive in the group, and we will work very hard to produce better results in the next game.”

Reflecting on his all-round performance, Tanwir said: “It’s all about the team and team work. Forget about my performance – if we win, that is a big thing for me.”

Hong Kong will have one rest day before it faces Afghanistan in a night match at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur, on 10 March.

Result: Zimbabwe won by 14 runs
Zimbabwe 158 for 8, 20 overs (Vusi Sibanda 59, Elton Chigumbura 30 not out, Malcolm Waller 26; Tanwir Afzal 2-19, Aizaz Khan 2-33, Nadeem Ahmed 1-26)
Hong Kong 144 for 6, 20 overs (Jaime Atkinson 53, Tanwir Afzal 31 not out, Mark Chapman 19; Donald Tiripano 2-27, Tendai Chatara 2-28)

Man of the Match: Vusi Sibanda

Scotland Beat Hong Kong in Second T20 International

Hong Kong Win Braidwood Cup 2016

Scotland soundly beat Hong Kong in the second T20 international, and final fixture of the Braidwood Cup, on the back some tight bowling and Kyle Coetzer man of the match performance – Coetzer scored 70 off 40 balls which included six 6s.

Earlier, Hong Kong, who won the toss and decided to bowl first, dismissed Scotland opener George Munsey with the third ball of the match. His opening partner Coetzer however picked up regular boundaries to get Scotland back on track. He found support from Matthew Cross who scored four straight boundaries off Hong Kong skipper Tanwir Afzal. Cross scored 27 in the innings, second highest score for Scotland.

Haseeb Amjad and Nadeem Ahmed each took three wickets for Hong Kong and Scotland finished the innings at 161/9.

T20: Scotland v Hong Kong - 31 January, 2016

Hong Kong’s response did not begin well as Jamie Atkinson was caught off the first ball. The situation did not improve for the home side as they found themselves 8/4 after three overs.

Captain Tanwir Afzal restored some hopes for Hong Kong after he belted 30 runs in one over which included four 6s. He finished with 56 runs off 22 balls. Aizaz Khan also gave Hong Kong a late push with 20. But it was too little too late as Hong Kong ended the match 124 all out.

Bradley Wheal was the best bowler of the match with 3/20 off four overs. Richie Berrington also took 3 wickets for Scotland.

With Hong Kong’s victory in the shortened game yesterday, they split the Twenty20 series. Hong Kong won the only ODI and clinched the first ever Braidwood Cup series 2-1.

T20: Scotland v Hong Kong - 31 January, 2016

T20 Hong Kong v Scotland – 30 January, 2016

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-vbST2rF

An enthusiastic crowd saw Hong Kong beat Scotland in the first ever officially recognised T20 International to take place in Hong Kong.
Click on any photo to access the full gallery.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-s9HgGzw

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-f2CDn7j

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-SV6TNzr

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-gvGqPMS

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-fmXGRbF

T20: Hong Kong Beat Scotland by Nine Wickets

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-47MBvhb

Hong Kong beat Scotland by nine wickets in a shortened inaugural Twenty20 International match at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

Babar Hayat took the Man of the Match honours, scoring 26 not out in the 10 overs a side match. “I just went in and had a look at a few balls. I targeted their off-spinner. If it was in my range, I just went for it.”

The game was delayed due to a wet ground but when play started, Hong Kong won the toss and decided to field first – and took the first wicket just five balls into the match. A great start to the first ever ICC recognised T20 international to take place in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s bowlers took wickets at regular intervals to keep the powerful Scottish batting order in check. George Munsey was the highest scorer for Scotland with 17 runs, Calum MacLeod scored 16 before he was run out. Scotland finished the 10 overs with 66/7.

Haseeb Amjad led the Hong Kong bowlers with 1/8 off his two overs. Nadeem Ahmed followed closely with 1/9.

Hong Kong v Scotland- 30 January 2016

Opening batsman Jamie Atkinson hit a four off the first ball of Hong Kong’s innings and some attacking batting brought him a tally of 20 runs off seven balls before he was caught in the third over. His opening partner Anshuman Rath scored 20 not out. It was number three batsman Babar Hayat who took the spotlight with 26 runs off 14 balls. A big six in the seventh over sealing Hong Kong’s victory.

Safyaan Sharif took the only wicket for Scotland for 15 runs.

Hong Kong v Scotland- 30 January 2016

The second T20 international between Hong Kong and Scotland will start tomorrow at 1pm.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-Scotland-T20-Tin/i-dpk7WzQ/A

Hong Kong Beat Scotland by 109 Runs in First ODI

Hong Kong have marked their first official One Day International on home soil with a comprehensive 109-run win in their World Cricket League Championship match against Scotland.

Sent into bat under grey skies at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, the home side posted 259 thanks to a record 170-run partnership between Anshuman Rath and Nizikat Khan.

In response, captain Tanwir Afzal led from the front with 3-21 from 10 overs to help dismiss Scotland for just 150.

But it was the partnership of Rath and Nizikat, a record in one-day internationals for Hong Kong, that proved most crucial after Hong Kong had wobbled early at 3-55.

Rath was largely the steady hand, scoring his 97 from 136 balls, while Nizikat was more brutal striking at better than a run a ball for most of his innings.

At one stage Hong Kong had reached 3-225 with seven overs to go but some tight Scottish bowling skittled the lower order. The final seven wickets fell for just 34 runs. Ali Evans was the pick of the bowlers for Scotland with 4-41.

Hong Kong Beat Scotland by 109 Runs in First ODI - Hong Kong But 259 looked a far more intimidating total after Tanwir removed Scotland’s key duo Kyle Coetzer (6) and Matthew Machan (0) in consecutive balls. Spinner Nadeem Ahmed cleaned up the lower order, taking 4-26 off his 8.1 overs. Callum McLeod played a lone hand for the Scots, making 58 off 78 balls.

Man of the Match Anshuman Rath applauded his batting partner Nizikat for helping him reach his highest ODI score. “To be honest, a lot of credit goes to Kat, I was sort of getting edgy as I faced quite a lot of balls but he kept me grounded,” Rath said. “I think the win is a big, big confidence boost that not only we beat them, but beat them in a fairly convincing manner.”

The second ODI is on Thursday with two more Twenty20 matches scheduled for the weekend.

Hong Kong Beat Scotland by 109 Runs in First ODI - scotland

ICC World Cricket League Championship: Hong Kong v Scotland
Date: 9:30am, 26, 28 January, 2016
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground
Tickets: Free
More info: One Day International, 50 overs a side

T20 International: Hong Kong v Scotland
Date: 1pm, 30-31 January, 2016
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground
Tickets: Free

Hong Kong to host Scotland in Braidwood Cup Series

The new year starts a with a treat for local cricket fans as Hong Kong play at home, for first time since 2011, as the host Scotland in the Braidwood Cup. The series features the first One Day International & First Class Cricket matches on Chinese soil

In a nod to the visitors and as recognition of Hong Kong’s Scottish heritage, and deeply rooted, though perhaps surprising, cricketing links, the Hong Kong Cricket Association has created an overall series prize, the Braidwood Cup, for the incoming tour. The Cup is named after Scottish expatriate William Drew Braidwood, who founded the Craigengower Cricket Club (CCC) in 1894, the second oldest such club in the territory after the Hong Kong Cricket Club (est. in 1851).

The Braidwood Cup will feature eight days of world-class cricket including the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup match, two One Day International (ODI) matches played as part of the ICC World Cricket League Championship and two Twenty20 (T20) Internationals.

Hong Kong have made giant strides on the international scene since they last played at home 5 years ago, securing ODI status in 2014 after finishing third in the 2014 Cricket World Cup Qualifier and gaining T20 International status in 2013 after qualifying for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.

“We’re a different team now to that of 2011,” said HKCA Director of Cricket Charlie Burke, “The players have worked hard for the past five years and we are a much different side. We’re excited about the Braidwood Cup as the players have not had the chance to play in front of our home crowds in several years.”

Hong Kong’s strengths at present revolve more around short form cricket, with Scotland seemingly having the upper hand in the impending Intercontinental Cup clash.

“Scotland have played about 400 games of First Class cricket, compared to Hong Kong with two. Their players are heavily involved in County Cricket in the United Kingdom, so they have more experience in the format, but we have nothing to lose and I’m sure the team will play that much bigger in front of their families and friends,” said Burke.

The First Class, Intercontinental Cup (I-Cup) is the ICC’s Test Cricket pathway tournament, featuring the best eight teams outside of the top 10, or test playing nations.

The winner of the three-year, single round, I-Cup series will play a home and away “test challenge” against the lowest ranked test side. If the I-Cup winner is successful in that series, they will qualify as a Test nation for the next four-year cycle, allowing them to compete in the sport’s highest echelon of the traditional, five-day form.

After the conclusion of the I-Cup, Hong Kong will host two ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) matches. The WCLC is contested by the next eight teams outside of the twelve-team top-tier ODI nations, which includes Associate members Afghanistan and Ireland. The games will be played in the same 50-over ODI format as the World Cup.

The WCLC matches are a priority for Hong Kong as it is the primary pathway for teams to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) in the United Kingdom in 2019. Following the conclusion of the WCLC in 2017, the top half of teams will advance to the CWC qualification tournament in 2018.

Hong Kong (world ODI ranking 15th) is currently first on the World Cricket League Championship table, while Scotland (ranked 13th) is fourth after the tournament’s second round.

“We’re focusing pretty heavily on the World Cricket League Championship’s ODI matches as they format is more conducive to our strengths at the moment than four-day cricket and they offer an opportunity for us to play in the World Cup,” said Burke. “Our goal for the Series is to hold our position at the top of the WCLC table and to prepare for the upcoming World Twenty20.”

Hong Kong who have qualified for the World Twenty20 in India in March-April 2016, are in the same pool as Scotland, along with Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in Group B.

After the WCLC matches, two Twenty20 Internationals will be held as the Association concludes the Series with some big-hitting entertainment for the fans. The final weekend of the competition will also feature exhibition games of HKCA women’s and youth cricket, showcasing the strength of the game in the SAR.

Hong Kong will revel in the opportunity to play at home for the first time in over three years, promises Burke: “We have a young, exciting team, whose average age is just 20 years old. Most of these players have never had the opportunity to represent Hong Kong in front of their families and friends so this is a huge occasion for them; I expect it will be an emotional lift for the players.

“Scotland is a very good side. They’re aggressive and their batsmen like to put bowlers under pressure. The combination of their batting strength and our bowling attack is going to make for some exciting cricket. It will be a good contest between two of the strongest associate nations in world cricket,” Burke added.

“It is great to be able to play at home. There is a definite home advantage in cricket, more so than in other sports because of the importance of the playing surface and how those surfaces differ in every country. The players are familiar with Mission Road, they play a lot of club cricket there and train there as well so there will be no excuses” said Burke.

Burke’s sentiment was echoed by HKCA Chief Executive Officer Tim Cutler who thanked the Government for its continued support: “We’re hugely thankful to the Hong Kong Government and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for all of the work that they have put into Mission Road to bring it up to international standard. We now have a home for cricket and are intent on ensuring that our team, with one of the highest world rankings of any Hong Kong sport, has more opportunities to play at home to help grow the local game”

“William Drew Braidwood’s name is a fitting choice for this historic trophy,” Cutler added, “Besides founding CCC, a club that welcomed members from all corners of the community. Braidwood is also credited with initiating discussions in 1903 to establish the first formal cricket league in Hong Kong; the competition for which the HKCA was formed to administer in 1968. Remarkable achievements by a remarkable man,” Cutler concluded.

The Hong Kong Cricket Association is intent on making Mission Road the home of Hong Kong Cricket and has confirmed that all of the Braidwood Cup Series matches will feature free admission to the public areas of the ground.

HKCA Braidwood Cup Series
All matches will be held at Mission Road Cricket Ground
ICC Intercontinental Cup: Thursday – Sunday, 21-24 January
ICC World Cricket League Championship: Tuesday & Thursday, 26 & 28 January
Twenty20 Matches: Saturday – Sunday, 30-31 January

Scotland to Tour Hong Kong!

Hong Kong confirmed to host first ever One Day Internationals as Scotland to tour in January 2016.

The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) today announced that it will host Scotland’s men’s national team here in January 2016. The tour will feature the first ever One Day Internationals (ODIs) held on Hong Kong – or Chinese – soil.

The announcement was made after the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground (known as Mission Road) as an ODI venue, the first in East Asia. The ICC had sent two representatives a fortnight ago – including former Australian Test Cricketer and now ICC Match Referee David Boon – to inspect the LCSD-run facility, which will also host the city’s inaugural First Class and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches during the same tour.

HKCA CEO Tim Cutler commented on how important the approval is and also discussed other possible future international cricket events in Hong Kong. “The approval of Mission Road is a historic event for Hong Kong cricket and I would like to thank the HKCA staff and volunteers who worked on this project. Moreover, the assistance from the LCSD was amazing and this would not have been possible without their help, especially from Ms Ada Lau who oversee the ground’s management and Mr Cameron Hodgkins who heads up the Sports Turf Management Section”.

“It is fitting that the first nation to play ODI cricket against us here is Scotland. The Scots have long proud history in Hong Kong and we have already initiated discussions with various local Scottish community groups to ensure these matches are properly publicised and celebrated. We have some great ideas about how to make this a great event – a true festival of cricket – and we look forward to announcing more details soon.”

“I also think that the matches will actually be the highest (by world ranking) sporting event involving a Hong Kong team, ever hosted here. On the topic of grounds, we are continuing our discussions with the government and its appointed agents about accommodating cricket appropriately at the proposed Kai Tak Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. There is real opportunity here for us to develop a beacon here for cricket in East Asia whilst assisting the HKCA as it strives to be a leader for emerging cricket nations globally. There are numerous international cricket events that we could host in Hong Kong, with the right facilities.”

“With talk of cricket’s inclusion at the Olympics increasing, I think it is critical we do not overlook the opportunity to provide a world-class facility where we could also host women’s and under-age World Cup events. Twenty20 matches (or franchises) from the hugely successful Indian Premier League and Australian Big Bash Leagues are also an option. We could even provide a neutral test venue. All of these would generate immense global interest and the potential TV revenue alone makes this a very exciting prospect, along with the obvious exposure for Hong Kong itself.”

Cutler continued “Even in preliminary talks, the ICC is very excited about the prospect of Hong Kong being able to host such matches and we’ll ensure a direct line of communication is developed so that they can shed light on the potential with the government.”

Scotland’s tour in January will include the first class, four-day Intercontinental Cup match, two World Cricket League games which will hold full-ODI status and two Twenty20 Internationals. The two T20i ties are to be confirmed.

Hong Kong is currently 10th in the T20I rankings, and 16th in ODIs. Scotland are 12th and 14th in the respective tables.

After recent strong results in the UAE, Hong Kong could improve its ranking to 13th with wins over Scotland.

Proposed Tour Itinerary – Hong Kong v. Scotland
(All Matches at Mission Road, Tin Kwong Road, Kowloon District):

21 – 24 January: ICC Intercontinental Cup (Four-day, first class match)
26 & 28 January: ICC World Cricket League Championship (Fifty over, One Day Internationals)
30 & 31 January: Twenty20 Internationals