United Arab Emirates beat HK by 8 wickets | Hong Kong vs UAE, Highlights And Cricket Score 15th T20 Match - Commentary

Right then, a target of 117 for UAE to collect back-to-back wins. The pitch is on the slower side but they have shown that they have the batting well-equipped to do it. Can the Hong Kong bowlers defend it and spring a surprise? Do join us in a short while to find out.

Waheed Ahmed says that he is happy with his bowling. Adds that he aims to bowl variations every now and then and bowl wicket-to-wicket. Tells that it is a very slow surface. Suggests that bowling off cutters is the best option on this pitch. On being asked about his best deliveries, he says that his captain, Ahmed Raza, feels his best ball is the slower one.

UAE bowled wisely. They didn't get frustrated when the wickets weren't coming and stuck to a good line and length. Their spinners utilized the conditions superbly with Ahmed Raza and Rohan Mustafa tightening the nozzle. Waheed Ahmed picked up a couple of wickets and was brilliant with his variations. Here he is giving a quick interview.

Yet another abysmal batting performance by Hong Kong! They decided to be careful in their approach today after yesterday's disappointing show but ended up being overcautious. In the bid to protect their wickets for the late onslaught, the HK batsmen didn't pay enough heed to the scoring rate. The platform was set for them in the last five overs with 8 wickets in hand but the fiery train never arrived. Just 28 runs came in the last five with five wickets going down and they ended up with a paltry total once more.

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. A leg bye to end! A top class over. Just the 2 runs and 2 wickets from it. This is fired on the pads, the batter looks to slog sweep but misses. It hits him on the pads and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is taken. HONG KONG END ON 116/7!

Rohan Mustafa to Ehsan Khan. A yorker again and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. One more dot.

Rohan Mustafa to Scott McKechnie. OUT! Another one bites the dust! Another very full ball and on middle. McKechnie looks to whip but misses. He gets hit on the pads and up goes the finger. Once again Mustafa is doing a great job in the last over.

Rohan Mustafa to Scott McKechnie. A mix-up but safe! A very full ball again, this is forced towards mid-wicket. The non-striker is off but is sent back. The fielder picks the ball up and throws it to the bowler but he is in.

Scott McKechnie is the new man in for Hong Kong.

Rohan Mustafa to Haroon Arshad. OUT! LBW! As plumb as it gets! This is very full, right in the blockhole. Haroon shuffles across and tries to sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal and the umpire raises his finger immediately.

Rohan Mustafa to Simandeep Singh. Very full and on middle, this is whipped towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Zahoor Khan to Haroon Arshad. Haroon Arshad pulls this one towards square leg and takes a quick couple.

Zahoor Khan to Simandeep Singh. The batsman fails to put bat on ball. They have run through for a single. Byes have been called by the umpire.

Zahoor Khan to Simandeep Singh. Another mix up but the batter manages to get back in! Simandeep Singh whips this one off his pads towards mid-wicket. The batters complete the first quickly and want the second. They complete it with a dive by Haroon Arshad at the non-striker end. Almost a team hat-trick for the hosts.

Haroon Arshad walks out to bat.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. OUT! RUN OUT! Another wicket goes down for Hong Kong. Kinchit pushes this one towards cover and sets off on his bike. There was no run there as he had played it straight to the fielder but Kinchit still challenges him. The fielder there, Ahmed Raza, picks it up and throws it to the bowler who whips the bails off in a flash. Kinchit is well short despite his dive and the umpire raises his finger.

Simandeep Singh is the new man in.

Zahoor Khan to Waqas Barkat. OUT! CAUGHT! Hong Kong lose their 4th wicket! This was a nothing shot from Waqas Barkat and he pays the price. Barkat tries to make room and play this towards the off side. The bowler spots this and pushes the ball wide outside off. Barkat is stretched but he tries to still play at it. The ball lobs towards the man at cover-point, Rameez Shahzad, who takes a simple catch. Hong Kong stumbling at the end again.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. Full ball on the leg pole, Kinchit jams it out towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Rohan Mustafa to Kinchit Shah. Shah now tries to play the paddle but the ball is outside off, he ends up playing the reverse paddle scoop towards short third man for one. 8 from the over, a good one for Hong Kong.

Rohan Mustafa to Waqas Barkat. Another paddle sweep by Barkat, this time he does not get it past short fine leg and a single is taken.

Rohan Mustafa to Kinchit Shah. Extremely full and on off, this is hit down to long off for one.

Rohan Mustafa to Kinchit Shah. A huge appeal but turned down! That looked very close. This is very full around off, Shah looks to reverse sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. The impact maybe just outside off.

Rohan Mustafa to Waqas Barkat. A yorker this time, this is jammed out towards cover for one.

Rohan Mustafa to Waqas Barkat. FOUR! Clever, clever shot! Waqas just used the pace of the bowler there. A welcome boundary. This is a quick full toss by Mustafa. WB goes down on one knee and paddles it over the keeper's head for a boundary. Early boundary in the over, need to make use of it now.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. Length delivery outside off, Kinchit looks to fend at it but is beaten by the movement on it.

Zahoor Khan to Waqas Barkat. Barkat flicks this fuller one towards mid-wicket for a single.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. Kinchit Shah pushes this one towards mid off for one.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. Dropped or stopped? Whatever it is, it was a brilliant effort from the fielder in the deep. Short of a length ball outside off, Kinchit pulls this one uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs to his left, dives but only gets a hand to it which slows the ball down. The fielder from deep backward square leg mops it up and the batters take a couple in the meantime.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. Fullish ball outside off, Kinchit pushes this towards mid off.

Zahoor Khan to Waqas Barkat. Very slow ball, wide outside off. Barkat stretches and hits it towards cover for a run.

Zahoor Khan is back!

Waheed Ahmed to Waqas Barkat. Full ball on middle and off, Barkat smashes this one straight over the bowler's head but does not get the desired timing on it.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Kinchit flicks this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Waqas Barkat is the new man in.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. OUT! CAUGHT! Aizaz Khan is out of here and another timely wicket for the hosts. Ahmed bowls a good length ball outside off, it is lacking in pace. Aizaz looks to heave this one over the mid-wicket fence but does not get the timing he wants. The fielder from deep mid-wicket, Rameez Shahzad runs in and takes an easy catch. Another budding stand is broken.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. Wide! Down the leg side, Aizaz Khan looks to flick it down the leg side but misses. Wided!

The two umpires get together to have a chat and then convey the message to the batsmen - It's for running on the danger area. First official warning given!

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. Good use of the huge ground here. Aizaz Khan pushes this one towards mid-wicket and is looking for a couple. He gets it easily as he has placed it right in the gap.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Good length ball outside off, Kinchit plays this one uppishly towards cover for a single.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. Length ball on the pads, Aizaz flicks this one again towards square leg for one.

Waheed is back into the attack. His figures so far are 3-0-16-1.

Zahoor Khan to Aizaz Khan. On the pads of Aizaz, he flicks it towards square leg for one.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. Deceives Kinchit by pace! Length ball outside off, Kinchit tries to make room but the bowler spots it. He angles it into the batter. Kinchit looks to open the face of his bat but it goes off the inside half back past the bowler for a single towards mid on.

Zahoor Khan to Aizaz Khan. Aizaz Khan comes down the track and flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

Zahoor Khan to Aizaz Khan. Short of a length ball on middle, Aizaz looks to help it over the keeper's head but misses.

Zahoor Khan to Aizaz Khan. Short and wide outside off, Aizaz cuts this one towards deep cover for a couple. The fielder in the deep throws it away from the keeper but no extra run conceded.

Zahoor Khan to Kinchit Shah. Fuller one on the pads, Kinchit flicks this one off his pads towards the leg side and takes a quick single.

Zahoor Khan is back into the attack. He went for 14 in his first. Needs to be better in this spell.

Ahmed Raza to Aizaz Khan. Aizaz Khan pushes this one towards mid-wicket with soft hands and takes a couple. 9 runs off the over. Hong Kong need more of these.

Ahmed Raza to Kinchit Shah. Kinchit flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

Ahmed Raza to Kinchit Shah. FOUR! Swept and swept well! On the pads, flatter this time by Raza. Kinchit gets down on one knee and plays the sweep nicely this time towards backward square leg and a boundary results.

Ahmed Raza to Kinchit Shah. Short and wide outside off, Kinchit cuts this one to the man at point.

Ahmed Raza to Aizaz Khan. Aizaz Khan pushes this one off the back foot towards mid-wicket for a single.

Ahmed Raza to Kinchit Shah. Floats one on the pads does Raza, Kinchit gets down on one knee and looks to sweep but gets a top edge on it. Luckily, it falls in no man's land at square leg and the batters take one.

Raza Ahmed is back on! He has been economical and taken a wicket so far.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Down the leg side, Kinchit flicks this one towards short fine leg for a quick single. He retains strike.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. On the hips of Aizaz, he flicks it towards mid-wicket for one.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. Good length ball on the off pole line, pushed back towards the bowler.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Short and wide outside off, Kinchit cuts it to the man at point who dives to his right and does well to keep it down to a single.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. Another full ball, Aizaz chips it again towards mid-wicket for one.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. Aizaz Khan chips this fullish ball towards mid-wicket for a couple.

Imran Haider to Aizaz Khan. Aizaz Khan pulls this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single to retain strike.

Imran Haider to Kinchit Shah. Shorter outside off, pushed towards cover for one.

Imran Haider to Aizaz Khan. Aizaz pushes this one towards long on and takes a single.

Imran Haider to Aizaz Khan. A better throw and Aizaz would have been in trouble. Short and wide outside off, Aizaz cuts this one towards deep cover. The fielder in the deep gets to the ball and throws it back to the keeper quickly but the accuracy is just off. That allows the batters to take two.

Imran Haider to Aizaz Khan. Outside off, Aizaz pushes this one towards point.

Imran Haider to Kinchit Shah. Darts one on the pads, Kinchit flicks this one towards short fine leg and the batters take a quick single.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. A single to end a successful over. The last ball is worked through square leg for one.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. A low full toss on off, this is hit back to the bowler.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Slower one on middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.

Waheed Ahmed to Aizaz Khan. A direct hit and Shah was probably a goner! Khan taps this towards the right of the keeper and Shah wants a run. The keeper gets to the ball and has a shy at his end but misses. Shah did dive but don't think that dive would have saved him. One risky run added to the total.

Aizaz Khan, the Hong Kong skipper, walks out to bat now.

Waheed Ahmed to Nizakat Khan. OUT! KABOOM! Nizakat is out of here! Good wicket as he was well set and probably looking to up the ante. It is a good delivery. It starts from outside off and comes back in. The batter fails to cope with the movement and he ends up playing outside the line. Misses and the middle stump is knocked back. So the hosts are managing to take timely wickets and that's keeping them on top.

Waheed Ahmed to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Streaky runs! Honk Kong won't care. Nizakat comes down the track and swings at a length ball outside off. It goes off the inside edge and down to the fine leg fence. Maybe Nizakat has decided to step on the gas.

Imran Haider to Nizakat Khan. Gets away with one more, Haider. This is very short and on middle, Nizakat pulls it towards deep square leg only for one.

Imran Haider to Kinchit Shah. Outside off, the batter opens the face of the bat and guides it towards point for one.

Imran Haider to Kinchit Shah. Well bowled! This is a loopy ball outside off, it turns back in. Kinchit looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads.

Imran Haider to Kinchit Shah. The bowler gets away with one there! This is very short outside off, it also sticks in the surface and hence, Shah only manages to mistime it towards wide long off. Two more added to the total.

Imran Haider to Nizakat Khan. Floats it up on middle, this is whipped down to long on for one. A risky shot that against the turn.

Imran Haider to Nizakat Khan. Starts off with a tossed up ball outside off, Nizakat strokes it wide of long off and takes two. 50 is also up, it has come up slowly but the good thing for Hong Kong is they haven't lost a lot of wickets.

Imran Haider is into the attack now.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. So just the boundary from the over! The last ball is on off, Shah drops it towards point. He wants a run but is sent back.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Another dot! Very full again, Kinchit jams it out to the bowler.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. FOUR! This should release some pressure that was building. An exquisite shot. Shah creams it through extra cover. The man at long off has no chance as he runs to his right.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Three dots in a row! Another slower one, it is worked to the man at mid-wicket.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. A slower one on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler. 2 dots to begin.

Waheed Ahmed to Kinchit Shah. Extremely full and on off, this is hit down to mid off.

Waheed Ahmed comes into the attack.

Rohan Mustafa to Kinchit Shah. Flatter and on middle, Shah whipped it through square leg for another run.

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. Fuller and on the pads again, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one.

Rohan Mustafa to Kinchit Shah. This is fuller again and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

Rohan Mustafa to Kinchit Shah. Fuller and on off, this is once again hit back to the bowler.

Rohan Mustafa to Kinchit Shah. On off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Kinchit Shah is the new man in for Hong Kong.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. OUT! Caught and bowled! Raza, the skipper, draws first blood. Probably a timely wicket as the two would have started to step on the gas now. Abbasi comes down the track and Raza slows it up and lands it on middle. Abbasi looks to work it on the leg side but is done in by the pace. It goes off the leading edge as Abbasi is early into the stroke. Raza takes a simple return catch.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Flatter and outside off, Nizakat throws his bat at it. It goes off the outside edge towards short third man for one.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. Nicely played! Abbasi plays the paddle sweep, he manages to hit it from outside off, gets it down towards fine leg for three.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. An arm ball on middle, Abbasi looks to drive but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Shorter and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. On off, it is pushed to mid off.

Ahmed Raza, the skipper is back on. 2-0-8-0 so far from him.

Rohan Mustafa to Nizakat Khan. A single to end the Powerplay! It has been slow going from the Hong Kong side but good thing is that they haven't lost any wicket. The last ball is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Rohan Mustafa to Ahsan Abbasi. One more low full toss on middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

Rohan Mustafa to Ahsan Abbasi. Abbasi makes room but Mustafa follows him with a very full ball. Abbasi swings but misses to get hit on the pads again.

Rohan Mustafa to Ahsan Abbasi. A yorker on middle, this is jammed out towards mid-wicket.

Rohan Mustafa to Ahsan Abbasi. Slightly slower on the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Rohan Mustafa to Ahsan Abbasi. The batter makes room and Mustafa bowls a low full toss on middle, it is squeezed out through covers for two.

Rohan Mustafa is on now! He bowled amazingly in the last match taking a 4-fer against Ireland. Can he do something similar here?

Zahoor Khan to Ahsan Abbasi. Abbasi pushes this fullish ball towards mid on and takes a quick single to keep strike. 14 runs off the over and a good start for Hong Kong.

Zahoor Khan to Ahsan Abbasi. Down the leg side, Abbasi looks to paddle it fine down the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Zahoor Khan to Ahsan Abbasi. FOUR! Abbasi times it properly this time! On the pads, a full ball. Abbasi flicks this one over the mid on fielder for a boundary.

Zahoor Khan to Ahsan Abbasi. EDGED AND FOUR! Zahoor bowls a full ball outside off, Abbasi looks to smash it down the ground but it goes off the outside edge past the wicketkeeper and into the fence.

Zahoor Khan to Nizakat Khan. On the pads, Nizakat flicks it towards backward square leg for one.

Zahoor Khan to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Misfield in the deep and it results in a boundary. The bowler will be extremely disappointed with that. Good length ball on the pads, Nizakat flicks this one uppishly towards deep square leg. It goes on the bounce to the fielder there but it spins and deceives him as he runs past the ball. UAE cannot afford this.

Zahoor Khan is into the attack now.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. Make that 5! Top, top over. Just the single from it. Slightly shorter and outside off, this is cut to the man at point.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. On off, Abbasi pushes it to covers. 4 dots after the first ball.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. Fires it on the stumps, the batter is happy to block it out.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. On the stumps again, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. One more single! This is worked with the angle towards mid on for one.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. Takes a few steps down the track and hits it down to long off for one.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. In the air... safe! A short one outside off, Nizakat looks to drag it on the leg side but gets a top edge which falls safe in the mid-wicket region. Two taken.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. An appeal but it is off the thigh pad. This is on the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses. It brushes the pad and goes to the keeper.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! Too short and pays the price. Not sure why he bowled this length when he is getting some nice movement. It bounces at a good height for the batter. Khan pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. A good short one! Nizakat spots it early and ducks under it.

Junaid Siddique to Ahsan Abbasi. A little too straight this time, this is worked down to fine leg for one.

Junaid Siddique to Ahsan Abbasi. That is a gem! Absolute gem! This is landing on off and then straightens. The batter looks to defend the original trajectory and gets beaten. Not a lot you can do about that delivery.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Another mix up and this time the non-striker survives, JUST! Not what Hong Kong need at all. This time Nizakat flicks it towards mid-wicket. Abbasi sets off on his bike but there is no run there. Nizakat sends him back and Abbasi has to dive back in to get inside the crease at the non-striker's end. An eventful over ends.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Mix up and it nearly cost Hong Kong. Nizakat flicks this one towards square leg and sets off for a run. However, his partner is not interested and Nizakat has to rush back to his crease. He gets in just before the throw reaches to the keeper.

Ahmed Raza to Ahsan Abbasi. First ball for Abbasi in the tournament and he is off the mark straightaway. Flicks it off his pads towards fine leg for one.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Similar shot to the last one but this time Khan plays it a touch square. The fielder at deep mid-wicket gets to it and the batters take one.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. FOUR! First boundary of the innings! Raza floats it up but it is in the slot on the off pole line, Nizakat gets down on one knee and heaves it towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

Ahmed Raza to Nizakat Khan. Flatter one on off, Nizakat pushes it to the man at cover.

Skipper Ahmed Raza to bowl from the other end.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. Shortish and on off, it's forced off the back foot towards cover-point and collects a single.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. Wide! Wrong line and Hong Kong are off the mark. Siddique slips a length ball down the leg side. Khan tries to flick but misses.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. Five dot balls, great start from Junaid. Back of a length ball on off, Khan punches it off his back foot but finds the fielder in front of square on the off side.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. Beaten again! Another delivery moving away off the seam, Khan is caught pushing and missing inside the line.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. An outswinger outside off, Nizakat tries to push it through the line but is beaten by the away movement.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. Attempts a tap and run but Khan is sent back. On a good length outside off, Nizakat taps it down to covers and sets off for a run. His partner ain't interested. We have seen so many run outs already in this tournament.

Junaid Siddique to Nizakat Khan. Siddique starts with a length delivery outside off, Khan steers it through the line but finds the cover-point fielder.

The UAE players are out on the ground and are taking their fielding positions. The Hong Kong openers, Nizakat Khan and Ahsan Abbasi follow them out to the middle with the former taking strike. Junaid Siddique to start the proceedings for UAE with the ball.

Pitch Report - The ground is huge and that is why only a few balls are going for maximums. Further suggests that the ball is coming slowly off the surface and the players should look to play straight rather than square of the wicket. Informs about the two changes - Chirag Suri and Imran Haider are playing today.

Ahmed Raza, the UAE skipper, feels that they played really good cricket in the last match against Ireland and want to continue that. On the surface, he suggests that it is a day game and does not feel that it will change much throughout the game.

Aizaz Khan, the Hong Kong skipper, says that the wicket looks good and they want to put on a big total on the board. Adds that it looks like a flat deck. On being asked about Anshuman Rath, Aizaz Khan says that he was a crucial player for them but his absence brings opportunity for other players. Informs about the two changes, Shahid Wasif and Nasrulla Rana are replaced by Ahsan Abbasi and Raag Kapur.

United Arab Emirates (Playing XI)- Rohan Mustafa, Darius D'Silva, Chirag Suri (in for Ashfaq Ahmed), Junaid Siddique, Rameez Shahzad, Waheed Ahmed, Mohammad Boota(WK), Ahmed Raza(C), Muhammad Usman, Imran Haider (in for Sultan Ahmed), Zahoor Khan.

Hong Kong (Playing XI) - Nizakat Khan, Ahsan Abbasi (in for Shahid Wasif), Kinchit Shah, Aizaz Khan (C), Waqas Barkat, Simandeep Singh, Scott McKechnie (WK), Haroon Arshad, Ehsan Khan, Raag Kapur (in for Nasrulla Rana), Kyle Christie.

Toss - Hong Kong win the toss and elect to bat first.

Welcome to match no. 15 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier between UAE and Hong Kong. The qualifiers have started on the worst possible note for Hong Kong as they have lost both of their games so far and sit just above Nigeria in the points table. As for the hosts, they made a good comeback against Ireland after losing their opening game against Oman. They are on 2 points and will be looking to gain some momentum now after defeating one of the favourites of the tournament. Will Hong Kong bounce back after their poor start or will UAE gather another win and move further up in the table? Stay tuned for all the action from Abu Dhabi!