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Match Report - Hong Kong, China vs Malaysia - Bilateral Series - Match 2

09 February 2024

Aizaz and Yasim help Hong Kong China thump Malaysia by 116
By Jay Dasinghani

Aizaz Khan’s 28-ball 62* guided Hong Kong China to a mammoth 253 for eight in 34 overs in a rain-hit game before Yasim Murtaza’ 5-26 broke the back of Malaysia’s chase, bowling them out for 119 in an innings that was further reduced to 27 overs. The win, Hong Kong’s first of the 2024 home season, squares the bilateral series 1-1 with the decider to be played at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground on Friday.

After being put into bat, the home side lost Martin Coetzee early to an outside edge that was taken by Khizar Hayat in the slips.

Anshy Rath and Nizakat Khan, however, put on their second century stand in four games. While Anshy (57) was typically strong square of the wicket, Nizakat (63) peppered the cover and straight boundaries. After Anshy cut Khizar Hayat to point, Babar Hayat walked in and smashed 37 to get the hosts to 170 for two with nine overs to spare.

Yet, Malaysian skipper Virandeep Singh had tricks up his sleeve. He bowled Babar with one that kept low before dismissing Nizakat LBW. To make matters worse for the home side, Wafiq Irfan took three wickets in a over, including a sharp caught and bowled to send Nasrulla packing and the wicket of Dan Pascoe, who was caught behind by diving keeper Ainool Hafizs.

Nonetheless, Aizaz’s final-over blitz, where he smashed two sixes down the ground and another one over deep fine leg, gave the home side the momentum they needed to put Malaysia’s batters under pressure and square the series.

In reply, Malaysia got off to a steady start as Virandeep and Syed Aziz put on 33 for the first wicket. Ayush Shukla broke the opening stand with an inswinger that bowled Virandeep through the gate. Coming on first change, Nasrulla Rana (2-17) picked up two wickets, including the big one of Sharvin Muniandy who was caught behind by Zeeshan Ali for 7.

Either side of another rain delay, Yasim Murtaza shattered any hopes of a Malaysian comeback trapping Syahadat Ramli, Ahmad Zubaidi and Ainool Hafizs in front for three of his five wickets.