Hong Kong snap UAE's winning run

Dubai: Hong Kong snapped the UAE's winning run in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Twenty20 tournament by scoring a four-wicket win at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Nepal yesterday.

The UAE won the toss and scored 144 for four in 20 overs, but Hong Kong reached the target with 12 balls to spare. Opener Amjad Ali's unbeaten knock of 79 runs from 65 balls with five sixes and six boundaries went in vain.

The UAE lost an early wicket when their opener Faizan Asif got out for one run. Shaiman Anwar and Ali put on 39 runs for the second wicket before Anwar was bowled by Nizakat Khan for seven.

Khurram Khan and Ali took the score to 98 before Khan fell for 26. Vikrant Shetty chipped in with 12 to help post a challenging total.

Hong Kong got off to a good start, with their openers Irfan Ahmad (70) and Babar Hayat (29) putting on 67 in just 6.5 overs. The UAE tried to get back into the game through a fine three-wicket burst from Ahmad Raza, but Munir Dar, with an unbeaten 13 ensured Hong Kong's victory.

The UAE meet Saudi Arabia tomorrow in their last group match.

Scores

Hong Kong bt UAE by four wickets. UAE 144 for 4 in 20 overs (Amjad Ali 79, Khurram Khan 26) Hong Kong 145 for 6 in 18 overs (Irfan Ahmad 70, Babar Hayat 29, Ahmad Raza 3 for 30, Rohan Mustafa 2 for 22) Man of the match: Irfan Ahmad.