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ACC Twenty20 Cup

Hong Kong's batsmen fail to deliver again

Hong Kong Cricket Association

October 25, 2007

Hong Kong's batting frailties were exposed once again as they slumped to their second defeat in as many days on their short tour of UAE. The team had stopped in the Arab emirate of Sharjah for a couple of warm-up matches against local opposition before heading off to Kuwait to contest the inaugural ACC Twenty20 Cup.

In the latest outing, against Al Hamad Contracting CC, the Hong Kong team failed to chase down a modest target of 126 in their 20 overs, finishing on a disappointing 107-7, with skipper Tabarak Dar (29) and Shkawat Ali (28*) the only two Hong Kong batsmen to reach double figures. Earlier in the day, the Hong Kong bowling attack had done well to restrict the Al Hamad team to 125-7 from their 20 overs with Ilyas Gull and Najeeb Amar claiming two wickets apiece.

Twenty20 Scorecard - Hong Kong v. Al Hamad Contracting CC, Sharjah CA Stadium

In the first match of the brief tour, Hong Kong were thrashed by an Emirates Cricket Board XI by eight wickets. Batting first, Hong Kong were routed for just 77 in 18.4 overs with Courtney Kruger (28) and Najeeb Amar (18) making the only significant contributions. The UAE outfit had little trouble knocking off the required runs in just 10.4 overs with Amjad Javed smashing 50 not out from 34 balls.

Twenty20 Scorecard - Hong Kong v. UAE ECB Combined XI, Sharjah CA Stadium

Both matches were played at the impressive Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium.

The team now moves on to Kuwait for the ACC Twenty20 Cup. Their first match will be on 27th October 2007 against Singapore. They will also meet Saudi Arabia, UAE and hosts Kuwait in the ten team competition.