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14日 12月
Hong Kong went into Match 3 v Bahrain knowing that defeat would see them all but certainly eliminated from the competition.
Losing the toss, Hong Kong were asked to bat first. The pitch looked similar to the day before so a target of 170+ was what they were looking to achieve. Munir Khan started well putting fielders under pressure with some good running. This led to some loose deliveries that he struck well to the boundary. In the 7th over, with the score on 26, Kalhan Challu edged behind for 4. Munir Khan (17) could not control a shot through mid-wicket and offered a simple chance, which was taken.
Adit Gorawara and Aarush Bhagwat then took control of the innings and were looking very comfortable at 84 runs off 15 overs until the Hong Kong Captain, Adit Gorawara, slipped turning for a second run causing him to stutter and dive just short of his ground. This led to a middle order collapse caused by some reckless shot selection. After working extremely hard for his 67 off 74 balls Aarush Bhagwat hit a low full toss to mid-on to leave Hong Kong 138 for 8 off 31 overs. Vikas Sharma was then caught and bowled the very next over and Hong Kong were looking like setting an extremely under par total.
Mohammad Hassan, fresh from his time with the Men’s National Squad in Pakistan, and Dhananjay Rao however had a different idea. The pair began very watchful, both leaving the ball well and taking singles at the right time. The Bahrain bowlers started to become impatient and Dhananjay got a couple of boundaries away, including a six.
The pair had now batted for 10 overs and the total was now 173/9 after 43 overs. They were showing that with some application batting became a lot easier the longer you were at the crease.
Mohammad Hassan finally fell for 26 in the 49th over with the score on 205. A crucial 64 run partnership had given Hong Kong the total they were looking for. Dhananjay Rao finishing unbeaten on 29.
With the rain hovering around the area Hong Kong were looking for the bowlers to now make inroads into the Bahrain batting line up. Mohammad Hassan’s good day was not done, he struck in his first over with the score on 3.
The Bahrain batsman were been very stubborn and providing a good defence against anything that threaten. The introduction of Nasrulla Rana was what Hong Kong needed and he took a wicket with the first ball of his spell caught behind by Bhagwat. He then struck twice later in his spell leaving Bahrain 46/4 after 14 overs.
The introduction of Mehran Zeb and hero with the bat, Dhananjay Rao, was perfect, timing by the Hong Kong captain. Zeb got 2 wickets in 2 balls both bowled and Rao took 2 wickets in 3 balls with some excellent swing bowling, to turn the game in Hong Kong’s favour. Bahrain were now 77/8 from 24 overs. There was no way back for Bahrain and were eventually bowled out for 109.
That win puts Hong Kong second in the group with one more game to play. A win on Friday against the Maldives will see Hong Kong progress to the semi-finals in Bangkok.
- Photo Credit: ICC