Hong Kong cricketers have ‘transformational’ chance after sealing Asian Games spot
City team follow up Bahrain victory with win over Singapore to earn place in 10-team tournament in Nagoya, where HKSI funding is up for grabs
Hong Kong’s cricketers have given themselves an opportunity to “transform” the sport in the city after thumping Singapore on Wednesday to qualify for this year’s Asian Games.
Chasing a measly 62 runs after bundling out Singapore in 12.3 overs, Hong Kong cruised to their target for the loss of only opener Nizakat Khan, sealing victory by nine wickets. Coupled with an eight-wicket victory over Bahrain on Monday, that was enough to earn their place in the 10-team Japanese Games, where progress to the semi-finals would restore cricket to the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
“It would be tremendous for these boys to have access to more high-end gym facilities and physios,” Kaushal Silva, the head coach, said. “They’d be able to train every day, and use the ice baths and saunas to improve recovery. All of that would enhance their mental and physical capacity, and transform their performance.”
Leg spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar returned the exceptional figures of three for six from three overs, and there were two wickets each for Ayush Shukla and Hassan Khan Mohammad, as Hong Kong laid waste to tournament hosts Singapore’s innings.
A quick-fire unbeaten 32 from Anshy Rath saw the city team home in 6.3 overs.
After Babar Hayat clubbed a devastating undefeated 93 from 48 balls two days earlier, when Hong Kong made light work of chasing 174 to overcome Bahrain, Silva praised the “ruthlessness and winning mentality” of his side.