Under 19 Cricket World Cup – Division 2 – Asia

3rd/4th Play-Off - Hong Kong v Qatar @ Asian Institute of Technology Ground

After the disappointment of a semi-final loss, both teams were wanting to finish the tournament strongly.

Qatar won the toss and elected to field. Hong Kong were determined to put in the batting display they had been lacking throughout.

An early wicket saw Kalhan Challu and Adit Gorawara together at the crease. Things were well set and Challu finding the boundary in consecutive overs to take the score to 30. It was here that the innings took a turn for the worse. A mix up between the pair, looking for what should have been an easy three, saw Challu run out. The very next over Captain Gorawara edged behind to leave Hong Kong 30/3.

Aarush Bhagwat, back in the side after an illness, was with Mehran Zeb and again had a partnership started only for Bhagwat to be caught on 12 with the score on 56. Hong Kong lost their wickets in two’s when Sharma dragged on a sweep shot and Hong Kong now looking likely again to fail to bat all their overs.

It was here that Daniyal Butt and Zeb started to be more aggressive with their play. Butt striking two sixes straight down the ground. When Daniyal Butt went caught on 22 trying to hit one too many big shots the score was 101/6. Zeb then followed after he missed a sweep and was given LBW for 34.

An important 15 runs from Vikas Sharma saw Hong Kong get to 149 before been bowled out.

Hong Kong were confident they could defend their total and knew they would need to be disciplined with their line and lengths. As in previous matches, Mohammad Hassan opened the bowling and again he struck with his second ball, giving Hong Kong the early breakthrough. Vikas Sharma was again providing the pressure need to put on the incoming batsman. It didn’t take long before Sharma struck, finding the top edge, which landed safely into Shukla’s hands. Shukla, playing his first game on tour, then got in on the act claiming the 3^rd wicket, Qatar now 20/3.

The ever reliable Vikas Sharma, then got the next 2 wickets in consecutive overs, both well caught behind by Gorawara, to have Qatar reeling at 33/5 off 14 overs. Hong Kong were now in a very buoyant mood. The energy in the field saw runs off the bat hard to come by, until Qatar batsman Saud Kamal decided he was wanting to hit anything pitched up over the ropes. The No 6 struck two big sixes before been very well caught at long off by Kalhan Challu. From here the game was Hong Kong’s.

It was very fitting that Vikas Sharma was brought back into the attack to claim the winning wicket and his 14^th of the tournament, to give Hong Kong victory by 83 runs.

Vikas Sharma was then named Man of the Match for his 15 runs and excellent bowling figures of 9.5-3-16-4.

It was a good victory for the Hong Kong players after the disappointment yesterday. We would like to thank all the travelling parents and family members for all their support over the Bangkok leg of the trip.

For more coverage, photos, videos and stats of this competition, you can check out the ICC Website