Mission accomplished - Hong Kong advance to ICC WCL Division 4 final after defeating Jersey by 100 runs
Mission accomplished. Hong Kong achieved their primary objective at the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 tournament by advancing to the final of the tournament and gaining promotion back to Division 3 and a chance to qualify for the 2011 World Cup. The
Hong Kong Cricket Association
10-Oct-2008
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A tantalizing day's play was on offer at the start of the day with the top three teams vying for the two coveted final spots and no team guaranteed a place. Afghanistan had the unbeaten record but Italy had the best run-rate of the three teams on account of their resounding victories over Fiji by 254 runs and Tanzania by 9 wickets. A win to Hong Kong would have assured them a place in the final against the winner of the Afghanistan versus Italy game but a loss would have left them sweating on an Afghanistan victory over Italy, with the second spot in the final then being decided on net run-rates. Wins for Hong Kong and Italy would have seen all three teams finish on equal points but Hong Kong and Italy would advance to the final on account of their superior net run-rates.
Tabarak Dar's amazing run with the toss continued as he once again called correctly to maintain his 100% success rate at the tournament. Not surprisingly, he chose to bat - as he had done on all four previous occasions.
Hong Kong's top-order batting faltered for the first time in this tournament and Hong Kong was struggling at 35-3 after 10 overs. But as has been the case throughout the tournament, at least one of the batsmen has come to the fore with an innings of class and grit. Today, it was the turn of Butt Hussain to excel as he compiled a brilliant 99 from 132 balls, including 14 boundaries and two sixes, to lift Hong Kong out of their precarious state and into a position of strength. He received excellent support from Skhawat Ali who contributed 47 runs from 52 balls with seven boundaries and one six, and Najeeb Amar who swatted 29 in a 12-ball cameo that included four boundaries and two sixes. Butt was unlucky not to reach his century, being run out at the non-striker's end after the bowler had deflected a straight drive by Irfan Ahmed on to the wicket. However, Butt's agony would have been tempered with a fair degree of satisfaction of a job well done and knowing that his effort had lifted Hong Kong to a seemingly unbeatable total of 234.
Jersey skipper, Matt Hague, used eight bowlers in an effort to blunt the Hong Kong attack. Anthony Kay was the best of the lot, claiming 2-32 in his ten over spell. Andy Dewhurst and Matt Hague also grabbed two wickets each, but their wickets cost 6.25 and 7.00 runs per over respectively.
Jersey, an unknown quantity to Hong Kong before the start of the tournament and already well out of finals contention after three losses, weren't about to lay down. Victory for them would have increased their chances of remaining in Division 4, although their fate still depended on the outcome of the Tanzania versus Fiji match. Another loss could see them demoted to Division 5, so there was plenty to play for.
In the end however, Jersey, who are coached by former South African legend Peter Kirsten, lacked the batting firepower to upset Hong Kong. Irfan Ahmed, who claimed 3-10 from seven overs, knocked the top off the batting after which Jersey lost contact with the required run-rate. The match was effectively sealed when Matt Hague was the fifth wicket to fall with only 45 runs on the board. To their credit, Jersey batted out their 50 overs, reaching a final total of 134. Andy Dewhurst top scored with an unbeaten 33 from 111 balls, while Tony Carlyon scored a run-a-ball 21. Najeeb Amar, who opened the bowling, claimed 2-24 from ten overs.
Scorecard: Hong Kong v. Jersey
The tournament final will be played at the Anadil Burhani Ground and will offer Hong Kong the chance to avenge their earlier loss to the still unbeaten Afghanistan. Despite the earlier loss, Hong Kong may hold a slight advantage, having played their last two matches on the same ground.
The match-ups in the other games will see Italy and Tanzania playing off for 3rd and 4th placings at the University ground, while Jersey and Fiji will contest the game to determine 5th/6th place teams. Irrespective of the results, the Italy and Tanzania will stay in Division 4 while both Jersey and Fiji will be demoted to Division 5.
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