HK beat United Arab Emirates by 2 wickets (D/L method) | UAE vs Hong Kong, Highlights And Cricket Score Final Exhibition ODI Match - Commentary

So that ends the Asia Cup Qualifiers. Two of the best teams made it to the final and in a humdinger, Hong Kong edged out UAE. The main tournament, Asia Cup, starts in around 10 days - Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong playing against each other in Dubai. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka set the tournament alight, on Saturday, 15th September, 2018 at 1400 local (1000 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Winning Hong Kong skipper, Anshuman Rath, credits his team for playing such an awesome game. Admits that the run chase was going away from them in the middle overs but the lower order hung in, stuck it out and won it for them. Praises UAE for going hammer and tongs after the rain break and accepts that the momentum was with his opposition but stresses that his own team believed in what it can do and came out triumphant.

UAE captain, Rohan Mustafa, is disappointed on not being able to qualify for the Asia Cup. But shows great gesture in congratulating Hong Kong on their qualification. Feels that in such games, luck is a big factor and his team did not have much of that today. Reckons that the game was lost only on the last ball because on such tracks, it is not easy to score 180.

Aizaz Khan has been named the Man Of The Final for his brilliant 5-fer. Says that he is feeling very happy and excited for the Asia Cup. Credits the entire team for the success. On the bowling, he reckons that Hong Kong got a good start with the ball and he just concentrated on keeping the ball in the right areas.

Earlier in the day, UAE, after being put in to bat, started off well, only to be pegged back by wickets. Then, rain came and we had a stoppage in play for more than 4 hours. But after that, when play resumed, the batsmen clobbered more than 100 runs in the last 8 overs to reach a massive score of 176 after the game was curtailed to 24 overs.

After Hong Kong lost their way in the middle stages of the innings, Christopher Carter and Ehsan Khan's association at the crease helped them stabilize the chase with a gritty 53-run 5th wicket partnership. Aizaz Khan and Tanwir Afzal then gave valuable support to Scott McKechnie who ensured Hong Kong enter their first Asia Cup tournament. Their happiness was evident from the way the entire team ran onto the field in celebration. Big moment in Hong Kong cricket and commiserations to UAE for fighting hard and reaching so far.

The UAE bowlers tried hard with all their bowlers picking up at least a wicket each. Hence, you cannot point a finger at any specific weak link in their bowling attack. However, apart from Amir Hayat, all others conceded runs at more than 6 an over. That is exactly the reason for their defeat today. No other bowler was able to contain the Hong Kong onslaught.

The game swung both ways, like a pendulum, throughout the innings until the very last over. Hong Kong started their chase on a strong note with both openers firing on all cylinders and scoring 53 in PowerPlay 1, that too without losing any wicket. However, the UAE bowlers pulled the game back in balance by picking up some quick wickets in the middle overs. Hong Kong's lower order then had the onus of getting their side over the line and that's exactly what they did.

What a close fought encounter we have just witnessed! Hong Kong in the end, just scraping across the finishing line with 3 balls and 2 wickets remaining. Credit must be given to the Hong Kong keeper, Scott McKechnie, for staying till the end and finishing it off, much to the delight of his team.

Spare me some breath, folks. This has been a real humdinger. Who would have thought that Hong Kong will win? But they have turned that distant dream into a reality.

Amir Hayat to Ehsan Nawaz. HONG KONG ARE THROUGH TO THE ASIA CUP! The final run has come via a bye. A short ball, around off, angling in, Nawaz looks to pull but misses. The ball climbs higher onto the keeper behind who is unable to adjust and fumbles - resulting in the batsmen taking a bye! The entire Hong Kong team is surrounding the two batsmen in the middle. What a tournament for them and what a result. Congratulations!

Amir Hayat to Scott McKechnie. A short ball outside off, McKechnie gets across and looks to flick but misses and is hit on the ribs. The ball deflects away to the off side and the batsmen take a single. Just 1 needed now!

Amir Hayat to Ehsan Nawaz. DIRECT HIT WOULD HAVE SEEN WICKET NUMBER 9! Outside off, Nawaz plays it towards point and sets off for a quick single. He is a bit slow off the blocks and the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end. Misses. Replays show that even the dive would not have saved the batsman!

Ehsan Nawaz is the new man in at number 10, replacing Tanwir Afzal. 3 runs needed from the final over.

Shaiman Anwar to Tanwir Afzal. OUT! The fun is not over yet! Number 8 is down. A short ball, Afzal swings this over mid on and seems to have cleared long on but dear me, has found the fielder in the deep! We are heading down to the wire, folks...

Shaiman Anwar to Scott McKechnie. Outside off, dabbed to short third man for a quick single.

Shaiman Anwar to Tanwir Afzal. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.

Shaiman Anwar to Tanwir Afzal. FOUR! WHOOSH! A short ball outside off, Afzal pulls it over mid-wicket and splits the fielders in the deep! Crucial boundary.

Shaiman Anwar to Scott McKechnie. On middle, flicked through square leg for a single.

Shaiman Anwar to Scott McKechnie. WIDE. Down the leg side, Scott misses his flick.

Shaiman Anwar to Scott McKechnie. Comes down the track, McKechnie looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Mohammad Naveed to Scott McKechnie. On a length around off, tapped to the off side for a quick run. Sensible cricket. 16 from the over!

Mohammad Naveed to Tanwir Afzal. Almost in the blockhole, Tanwir looks to drive it through the covers but the ball swings in, takes the inside edge and squirts through square leg. A single results.

Mohammad Naveed to Scott McKechnie. On a length around off, Scott gets across and looks to tuck but the ball goes off the leading edge towards cover. A run taken.

Mohammad Naveed to Scott McKechnie. SIX! Innovative! Full and outside off, McKechnie gets across and scoops it way over fine leg! 14 needed from 15 balls now.

Mohammad Naveed to Tanwir Afzal. Excellent cricket. Full and around off, Afzal keeps his cool and guides it behind point for a single.

Mohammad Naveed to Tanwir Afzal. SIX! WHAM! That will calm some nerves! A short ball, Afzal backs away and heaves this over long on for a biggie!

Shaiman Anwar to Tanwir Afzal. Another flick, another run.

Shaiman Anwar to Scott McKechnie. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. One run added to the total.

Shaiman Anwar to Tanwir Afzal. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single.

Shaiman Anwar to Tanwir Afzal. On middle and leg, worked straight to square leg.

Shaiman Anwar to Tanwir Afzal. Backs away and looks to pull but misses and is hit on the pads.

Shaiman Anwar to Scott McKechnie. Full on middle, pushed towards long on for a single.

Mohammad Naveed to Tanwir Afzal. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. 2 runs, 2 wickets - is this the over which changes the game?

Mohammad Naveed to Tanwir Afzal. On a length, around middle, Tanwir looks to steer it to third man but misses.

Mohammad Naveed to Scott McKechnie. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. They pick up a single.

Tanwir Afzal is the new man in at number 9.

Mohammad Naveed to Aizaz Khan. OUT! Straight to the man! Short ball, outside off, Aizaz pulls and looks like he has got enough connection. But nope. The ball has more height than distance and deep mid-wicket pouches it safely.

Mohammad Naveed to Scott McKechnie. Flicks this away for a single.

Scott McKechnie is the new man in at number 8, replacing Ehsan.

Mohammad Naveed to Ehsan Khan. OUT! A stupendous catch to start the description of the ball, but the more and more looks we have at the replays, the more we feel that the batsman might be unlucky. A short ball outside off, Ehsan pulls it towards short mid-wicket. The ball seems to be dipping and going away from the fielder but Rohan Mustafa throws himself to his right and takes the catch. However, he immediately signals to the umpire that he is not sure whether the catch is clean. The umpires confer and refer it upstairs. The soft signal is out and the third umpire now has a task at hand. He sees multiple replays and what we see is that when Mustafa dived, his elbow hit the ground and the ball popped out. From one angle, it seemed like the ball hit his chest and popped back into his hands. From another angle, it looked like it hit the ground. Eventually, the third umpire presses the red button. This could be a big moment. Might be the turning point.

Fantastic catch! But is it legal? Referred upstairs. The soft signal is OUT.

POWERPLAY 3 signalled. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end.

Rohan Mustafa to Aizaz Khan. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 10 from that over.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. The ball strikes Ehsan very low on the pads. The fielding side is asking the question. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg bye given by the umpire.

Rohan Mustafa to Aizaz Khan. The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Rohan Mustafa to Aizaz Khan. FOUR! London looking, turning Tokyo. Full and outside off, Aizaz swings with all his might but the ball hits the back of his bat and goes through the third man region to the fence!

Rohan Mustafa to Aizaz Khan. FOUR! Full and around off, swept away through the leg side for a boundary!

Rohan Mustafa to Aizaz Khan. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

Amir Hayat to Ehsan Khan. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.

Amir Hayat to Aizaz Khan. A short delivery which has been pulled away. They pick up a single.

Aizaz Khan is the new man in at number 7, replacing Carter.

Amir Hayat to Christopher Carter. OUT! Carter has to go. If you have ever tried googling the meaning of the term miscommunication, then, you might as well look at this wicket for a proper explanation. Imagine you are at a signal on your vehicle. Suddenly the traffic signal stops working and cars, trucks, ricks and buses come from everywhere. What results? Mayhem. Full on middle, Carter works it towards mid-wicket but while doing so, he slips. Ehsan wants a single but Carter is busy giving a fall-down pose to the photographers. Ehsan jogs back. Rameez Shahzad has a shy at the bowler's end and scores a direct hit. Now, the ball deflects away and Carter comes all the way down for a single. But for some strange reason, Ehsan shows his back to him, busy seeing where the ball is heading, almost to deep cover. Then, he spots Carter beside him and gestures him to go back! Poor Carter. He turns, runs hard, tries to get in but by then, Ahmed Raza's throw has reached the keeper. Gone by a mile.

What is going on? Harakiri, in my opinion. We have a run out appeal. The question is not whether the batsman is out or not - but, as to WHO is out.

Amir Hayat to Christopher Carter. The batsman tries to pull that one but failed to connect it.

Amir Hayat to Christopher Carter. A short ball outside off, Carter comes down the track and swings hard but misses.

Amir Hayat to Ehsan Khan. A short ball outside off, pulled behind square leg for a single. Excellent fielding in the deep.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. SIX! Well, he has missed his mark and the batsman lets him know that. Mustafa has been bowling yorker length deliveries in this over so far and the one ball that he misses, gets deposited. Full and outside off, Ehsan gets down and mows it over mid-wicket.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Rohan Mustafa to Christopher Carter. On middle and leg, flicked away for a single.

Rohan Mustafa to Christopher Carter. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Rohan Mustafa to Christopher Carter. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

DRINKS BREAK. Finally I am able to give some justice to my coffee mug. It has been patiently waiting for me to take a sip ever since the innings started but so fast has been the action, that I have barely got time to do anything else. Still anybody's game, reckons my colleague, KK. The chase started in a flurry with Hong Kong going hammer and tongs. But then, they lost some quick wickets and brought UAE right back. However, this 44-run stand between Carter and Ehsan has revived some hopes for the batting side. Here comes Rohan Mustafa again.

Amir Hayat to Christopher Carter. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Amir Hayat to Ehsan Khan. Outside off, on a length, Khan looks to push it through the off side but is cramped for room. The ball squirts off the inside edge through square leg and the batsmen take a single.

Amir Hayat to Christopher Carter. Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Fine leg comes inside the circle. Mid on drops back.

Amir Hayat to Ehsan Khan. Comes down the track and looks to go over mid off but mistimes it. Luckily for him, the ball does not carry to the fielder. A quick single taken. The fielder seemed to be caught napping there.

Amir Hayat to Ehsan Khan. A short ball outside off, Ehsan swivels for the hook but misses. He immediately asks the square leg umpire for a call on height but it is deemed fine.

Amir Hayat to Christopher Carter. A length ball, heaved through mid-wicket for a single.

Amir Hayat is back on.

Shaiman Anwar to Ehsan Khan. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 13 from that over - probably that has taken the pressure off Hong Kong. He is more of a part-time bowler, Shaiman and perhaps the captain gave him more than his share in this curtailed game.

Shaiman Anwar to Ehsan Khan. SIX! WHACK! The gap between the balls remaining and the runs required is reducing. Full and outside off, Ehsan comes down and heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie! 58 more needed from 55 balls.

Shaiman Anwar to Christopher Carter. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Shaiman Anwar to Ehsan Khan. A simple tap and run to short third man for a quick single.

Shaiman Anwar to Ehsan Khan. FOUR! Full and outside off, dragged through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Shaiman Anwar to Christopher Carter. On middle and leg, flicked away for a single.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. SAFE. On second thoughts, it seemed like the fielder went to the wrong end. The bowler is not happy. Full and outside off, Carter waited for the ball to come to him and guided it to short third man. Now, he was ball-watching and in the meanwhile, his colleague had come to shake hands with him. Carter had no option but to scamper to the other end and there was a run out chance on offer with the bowler ready. But the throw never came to him. It went to the keeper instead who did whip the bails off and appealed. It was referred upstairs but replays showed that Ehsan was comfortably in.

Is that gone? Ehsan Khan could be in trouble here. Run out appeal, referred upstairs...

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. SIX! WALLOP! Fractionally short, actually it is not even short. It is just short of full. But Carter goes back and converts it into a short ball and heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie!

Ahmed Raza to Ehsan Khan. Full and outside off, chipped down towards long off for a single.

Ahmed Raza to Ehsan Khan. Full and outside off, Ehsan gets down and looks to sweep but misses. The keeper whips off the bails and appeals but nothing from the square leg umpire. The foot seemed to be in.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. On middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. 100 UP FOR HONG KONG. Still 79 more needed. Only 65 balls left.

Shaiman Anwar to Christopher Carter. Walks across, then goes back and works the ball off the stumps through mid-wicket for one.

Shaiman Anwar to Ehsan Khan. Comes down the track and chips it aerially, but well short of the fielder at long on. A single taken.

Shaiman Anwar to Christopher Carter. Clips it through the leg side for a run.

Shaiman Anwar to Ehsan Khan. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Shaiman Anwar to Ehsan Khan. FOUR! Much-needed for Hong Kong. Flighted outside off, Ehsan comes forward and chips it over mid on and finds the boundary.

Shaiman Anwar to Christopher Carter. A short ball, dragged via a pull to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Interesting. Shaiman Anwar comes on to bowl now.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a quick single.

Ahmed Raza to Ehsan Khan. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. Good effort by the fielder to save runs for his team. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. Outside off, a play and a miss again.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. HOWZZAT? Not out, says the umpire. The arm ball, outside off, darts back in sharply, Carter looks to cut but misses. There seems to be a noise and the keeper and bowler go up in an appeal but the umpire is unmoved. No technology available. Not quite sure what was that noise. Or... not quite sure how much wax is filled in my ear.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. FOUR! A relief for the batting side. A boundary out of nowhere. Tossed up outside off, Carter gets down and mows it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. Full and outside off, straight to cover is the drive this time. Pressure building.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. Another flick, straight to short mid-wicket again.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Rohan Mustafa to Christopher Carter. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.

Rohan Mustafa to Christopher Carter. The slider, going down leg, Carter misses his flick and is hit on the pads. LBW question asked, denied.

Rohan Mustafa to Christopher Carter. A yorker, on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Rohan Mustafa is back on.

Ahmed Raza to Ehsan Khan. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Ehsan Khan walks in at number 6, replacing Rath.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. OUT! Bowled! The wheels are coming off the chase's chariot as Rath is out of here. Another wicket being thrown away. Needless. Full and straight, Rath backs away and looks to hit it through the off side. But misses. Timber.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. He was gone for all money. Carter comes down the track, looks to defend but is comprehensively beaten by the flight. Somehow, somehow, somehow, he manages to get the bat in the way and the ball sneaks off the inside edge towards fine leg. A single taken.

Ahmed Raza to Christopher Carter. It's been driven superbly through the covers.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. Outside off, punched straight to cover. There is a yes-yes and a no-no, a run out on offer but the fielder looks up at the wrong moment and misses the ball. A single taken.

Ahmed Raza is back on.

Mohammad Naveed to Christopher Carter. SIX! What a shot. Full and outside off, Carter backs away and lofts it cleanly over long off!

Mohammad Naveed to Christopher Carter. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Mohammad Naveed to Christopher Carter. Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. The fielder goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. Leg byes given by the umpire.

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. It's been lofted over mid on by the batsman. The fielder goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. They pick up a single.

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. Lucky! Short and outside off, Rath looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which just goes over the stumps!

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Amir Hayat to Christopher Carter. Full and outside off, sliced through point. There is a bit of a slide in the deep and two runs are taken.

Amir Hayat to Anshy Rath. Down the leg side, clipped fine for a single.

Christopher Carter walks in at number 5, replacing Kinchit.

Amir Hayat to Kinchit Shah. OUT! A direct hit and Kinchit is gone for a duck. Hong Kong are pushing themselves into a hole now. Full and around off, Kinchit works it towards mid-wicket and sets off for a quick single. However, he misjudges the timing with which he has hit that. Ahmed Raza has to move just a couple of paces to his left. Coolly picks it up with his left hand, takes aim and has a shy at the bowler's end. BANG. No need for the third umpire at all. 111 more needed from 97 balls.

Amir Hayat to Kinchit Shah. WIDE! Way outside off, Kinchit leaves it alone.

Amir Hayat to Kinchit Shah. On a length, around middle, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

Kinchit Shah comes in at number 4, replacing Babar Hayat.

Amir Hayat to Babar Hayat. OUT! Caught behind! Massive, massive wicket for UAE. Babar Hayat is one of the most consistent batsmen from Hong Kong but here, he has departed without doing much. Excellent bowling. The bowler Hayat lands it on a length outside off while the batsman Hayat tries to steer it to third man, while backing away to the leg side. However, once the ball hits the deck, it seams away and the batsman is not able to account for that. No feet movement. As a result, he gets a thick outside edge which is easily taken by the keeper Abdul Shakoor. Are the tables turning? 112 more needed from 100 balls.

Amir Hayat to Babar Hayat. Around off, defended from the crease.

Amir Hayat is back on. 1-0-10-0 so far.

Rohan Mustafa to Anshy Rath. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. Excellent over from Mustafa - 3 runs and a wicket from it.

Rohan Mustafa to Babar Hayat. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.

Rohan Mustafa to Babar Hayat. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

Rohan Mustafa to Babar Hayat. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

Rohan Mustafa to Babar Hayat. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.

Babar Hayat is the new man in at number 3, replacing Nizakat.

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. OUT! Bowled! There comes the first breakthrough. The arm ball, on middle, Nizakat rocks back, to try and hit this through the off side but misses. The ball skids through and hits the stumps. No real celebration from the bowler or the fielders. They seem to be relieved, rather. That partnership was really putting pressure on them. Hong Kong need 115 from 107 balls.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. Quicker one outside off, Anshuman looks to cut but misses.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. FOUR! Fraction short, outside off, creamed through the covers for a boundary!

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. On middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. Another edge. Full and outside off, Rath looks to defend but is squared up. The ball runs off the outside edge, past short third man. Two runs taken.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Now an inside edge. Full and outside off again, Khan lunges to flick but the ball goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket. A single taken.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Lucky. Full and outside off, Nizakat throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge. It races past the man at short third man to the fence.

POWERPLAY 2 signalled. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 19th over.

Rohan Mustafa to Anshy Rath. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. An excellent Powerplay 1 for Hong Kong - 53/0.

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Floated outside off, Nizakat drives it through the covers for a boundary!

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Outside off, bashed over mid off for a boundary!

Rohan Mustafa to Anshy Rath. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. Outside off, punched behind point for a single.

Rohan Mustafa to bowl now.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. DROPPED! Should have been taken. Short and outside off, Rath cuts this towards point. Ashfaq Ahmed gets to the ball, but somehow, it pops out.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. Excellent effort by the fielder. Full and outside off, Rath comes down the track and slices this over point. The ball nearly meets the fence but the fielder gets to it and pulls it back in. The umpires refer it upstairs and replays seem to indicate that while pushing the ball away, his right foot was touching the ropes. But eventually, the benefit of doubt is given to the fielder. Three runs taken.

Ahmed Raza to Anshy Rath. FOUR! Nicely done. Short and outside off, Rath goes back and gently opens the face of his bat to guide it behind point. The ball races to the fence.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Full on middle, flicked straight to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. FOUR! The Hong Kong skipper does not want to be left behind. Naveed keeps this very full outside off. Rath crouches and drives this one crisply past the point fielder for a cracking boundary. A super end to a wonderful over for Hong Kong scoring 18 runs of it.

Mohammad Naveed to Nizakat Khan. Leg bye! The ball hits the batsman low on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg byes signalled by the umpire.

Mohammad Naveed to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! A hat-trick of boundaries from the bat of Nizakat. Naveed keeps it straight and full. Khan leans across and flicks it with grace and timing as the ball beats the man at square leg and rolls across the deep square leg fence for a boundary. Hong Kong on a roll.

Mohammad Naveed to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Two in Two. Khan looking ominous here as he slashes hard at this short and wide ball outside off. Gets a bit of a top edge on it but the pace on the ball and the power in the slash takes the ball sailing over the point boundary for a big six.

Mohammad Naveed to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Lovely shot! Pitches this one a bit fuller in line of the stumps. Nizakat gets nicely under the ball and lifts it over the fielder at mid on for yet another boundary.

Mohammad Naveed to Nizakat Khan. Length delivery on off. Khan has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Amir Hayat to Nizakat Khan. Similar delivery and a similar response from the other batsman, Nizakat. He punches this one in the gap at cover-point and takes a quick single.

Amir Hayat to Anshy Rath. A short of a length delivery is punched into the cover region for a single.

Amir Hayat to Nizakat Khan. A bit fuller of length around off. Khan has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total. The fielder goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps.

Amir Hayat to Nizakat Khan. SIX! Slashed and slashed hard! Hayat lands this on short and wide of off, Khan sees the width on this one and throws his bat at it. Plays the upper cut and gets perfect connection for the ball to sail over the point boundary for a maximum. Nizakat gets in the act now.

Amir Hayat to Anshy Rath. Full and straight from Hayat. Anshuman, looks in good touch as he flicks the ball off his pads. The ball races to the deep square leg boundary. Anshuman, their captain and man in form in this tournament, is up and running.

Amir Hayat to Anshy Rath. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. Lands this one behind a length on off stump, Rath opens the bat face to glide this towards third man for a single.

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. FOUR! That's classic! Rath sees the width on this short of a length delivery. Rocks back on the back foot and unleashes a fierce cut shot. The placement is perfect as the ball crosses the point boundary. This will instill tremendous confidence in Rath.

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. Anshuman defends this length ball on the stumps from within the crease.

Mohammad Naveed to Anshy Rath. Beaten! Good ball from Naveed. Keeps it on a length just outside off. Anshuman tries to play a similar shot, trying to glide this to the third man region but gets beaten because of the slight movement away as the ball hits the deck.

Mohammad Naveed to Nizakat Khan. A bit fuller and wider of off, Khan opens the face of his bat and steers it down to third man for a single.

Mohammad Naveed to Nizakat Khan. Naveed starts off with a length delivery around off. The batsman gets behind the line of the ball and defends.

The players are already out in the middle. 177 is the the target for Hong Kong, in 24 overs, to qualify for the main Asia Cup event. Conditions are still overcast and chasing that sort of a total will require a lot of doing. Mohammad Naveed will start off proceedings to Nizakat Khan. Anshuman Rath is the other opener. Here we go!