Nizakat Khan smashes century as Hong Kong push Sydney Thunder in Orange
11 December 2016
(Picture by Nick McGrath from Central Western Daily) Sydney Thunder may have won both matches in Orange, but the crowd favourite of locals in the town 300km west of Sydney was without question Nizakat Khan. The Hong Kong opener smashed his way to a century, going from 94 to 100 in the final over to a standing ovation. His knock included 10 fours and 5 sixes. The crowd in Orange supported the underdogs Hong Kong, cheering loudly when Nizakat was dropped in the final over on 93. However, his innings was all in vain as without support from the other end, Hong Kong could only manage 155-9 in reply to the Thunder's 168-6. In the Thunder innings, the class of Australian Test hopeful Kurtis Patterson (43) and England ODI captain Eoin Morgan (42) shone through as the Thunder kept their rate above eight an over throughout. “It was an amazing feeling and one of the best moments in my life, so I’m very happy with my performance and hopefully I can do well for the team next time as well,” Nizakat said. “They were very good standard bowlers, bowling at 140km/h plus which we don’t see often but that was good fun today.” “Whenever someone bowls quick the ball travels as well and so I just played through the line and connected well.” Ben Rohrer, who captained Sydney Thunder in the first match had high praise for Nizakat’s knock. “Unbelievable innings, very clean striker and hits to weird areas … He got a quick 30 but got out in the first game but in the second he was unstoppable,” Rohrer said. “I think the boys got stuck into him as well and it didn’t phase him. Super talent and hits them a long way.” Some highlights below!
In match one Sydney Thunder posted 200-6, with Kyle Christie taking two wickets. Hong Kong in reply made 141-7 with a number of batsmen making starts but not able to go on with it. SCORECARDS
