Gutsy Hong Kong succumb to impressive UAE

A gutsy display by Hong Kong was not sufficient to repel a strong UAE outfit in the ACC Trophy 2006 final at the Kinrara Oval.

Hong Kong won the toss and decided to bat first in fine condtions. A cautious opening was undone when Tabarak Dar flashed at one in the 3rd over and Hong Kong were immediately on the back foot. Tim Smart was joined by Rahul Sharma and togehter the captain and former captain set about building a base from which to launch an assault on the bowling. The two put together a partnership of 97 runs but it took 33.2 overs before Sharma was run out. When kingpin Hussain Butt fell two overs later, Hong Kong had their backs against the wall. Irfan Ahmed came in and immediately lifted the ante as he scored 23 from 20 balls. But when Irfan, Smart, Najeeb Amar and Courtney Kruger all fell within the space of nine balls, it looked like the stuffing had been knocked out of the innings. Alex French stepped up to play his best innings of the tournament, hitting 22 from 24 balls, as Hong Kong finished their innings with a flourish. Hong Kong's total of 174-8 from their 50 was well short of what they would have liked, especially against the powerful UAE batting line-up but they would have been buoyed by the fact that they were able to defend a lesser total against the Afghanistan team two days earlier.

An early break-through was required and although Najeeb snared Muhammad Iqbal in the 5th over, UAE had already blasted their way to 29 runs, with Afzaal Haider hit out of the attack after just one over that cost 15 runs. Runs continued to flow from the bats of Arshad Ali and Saqid Ali but when young Nadeem Ahmed was introduced to the attack he made a double break-through, snapping up both batsmen in consecutive overs. A period of circumspection from the new UAE batsmen followed but after settling into their innings, Khuram Khan and Kasif Khan set about the Hong Kong bowling with relish. Khuarm Khan was particularly severe, hitting his way to an unbeaten 61 in 70 balls whilst Kasif Khan hit 29 from 44 balls. As UAE approached the winning total Nadeem grabbed his third wicket and when French picked up Rameez Shahzad shortly afterwards, a flicker of hope was raised in the Hong Kong camp. But Javed Ismail settled things in double quick time as he smashed a six and a four to bring the match to a swift conclusion. UAE won by a comfortable five wickets with the best part of fifteen overs to spare.

Arshad Ali was later named Man of the Match for his three wickets and explosive batting at the top of the order.

Hong Kong put up a gutsy performance but were out-classed in this match by a clinical UAE outfit who thoroughly deserved their tag as pre-tournament favourites. For Hong Kong, defeat will be hard to swallow but the team will be happy in the knowledge that the financial future of Hong Kong cricket has been secured for the next five years as a direct result of their efforts in this tournament.

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