Bangi – Hong Kong continued their dominant run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier A with a resounding 9-wicket victory over Maldives at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval. Chasing a modest target of 103, Hong Kong’s top-order batsmen Zeeshan Ali and captain Nizakat Khan powered their team to victory in just 9 overs, with 66 balls to spare.
Maldives Struggles with the Bat
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Maldives struggled to find any momentum, finishing their 20 overs at 102/9. The only standout performance with the bat came from captain Umar Adam, who scored a brisk 26 off 15 balls. Gedara Wijesingha tried to anchor the innings with 21 off 25 balls, but the lack of support from the other end made it difficult for Maldives to build any substantial partnerships.
Hong Kong’s bowlers were clinical, with Ehsan Khan leading the charge with figures of 3/20 from his four overs. Yasim Murtaza and Ateeq Iqbal provided excellent support, picking up two wickets each and ensuring that Maldives never got a foothold in the game.
Zeeshan Ali and Nizakat Khan Dominate the Chase
In response, Hong Kong’s chase was a masterclass in aggressive batting. Zeeshan Ali played a blistering knock, scoring 50* off just 21 balls, including five towering sixes. His opening partner, Jamie Atkinson, contributed 19 before falling to Mohamed Shiyam. However, Nizakat Khan then took charge, smashing 35* off 13 balls to seal the victory in style.
The commanding performance from Hong Kong was capped by their skipper Nizakat Khan’s explosive innings, which saw him strike four sixes, dismantling the Maldives’ bowling attack. The win solidifies Hong Kong’s position at the top of the table as they look to secure their spot in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Key Records and Milestones
- Most Sixes in an Innings by Zeeshan Ali: Zeeshan Ali’s five sixes were the most by any batsman in this match.
- Player of the Match: Ateeq Iqbal’s all-around performance was instrumental, with figures of 2/24 and a solid fielding display.
Brief Scores:
Maldives: 102/9 in 20 overs (Umar Adam 26, Gedara Wijesingha 21, Ehsan Khan 3/20, Yasim Murtaza 2/13)
Hong Kong: 107/1 in 9 overs (Zeeshan Ali 50*, Nizakat Khan 35*, Mohamed Shiyam 1/22)
Result: Hong Kong won by 9 wickets (with 66 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Ateeq Iqbal (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong’s dominant performance further cements their status as a formidable team in the Asia Qualifier A, as they continue their pursuit of a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
