Malaysia Tri-Nations T20i final: Ravija Sandaruwan’s record-breaking ton crushes Hong Kong
Sixes and fours account for most of Sandaruwan’s stunning innings in the series decider in Kuala Lumpur
Third time was still not the charm for Hong Kong’s men’s cricketers as they lost to Kuwait in the final of the Malaysia Tri-Nations T20i Series on Tuesday.
Having come off second best to the Kuwaitis twice last week, Hong Kong had earned another pop at them in the decider in Kuala Lumpur. But there was to be no change of fortune, Kuwait winning by eight wickets with 37 balls to spare.
That was largely the doing of Ravija Sandaruwan, who, it is fair to say, helped himself to the Hong Kong bowling attack, finishing unbeaten on 102.
Hong Kong had posted 146 for 5 from their 20 overs, highlighted by opener Zeeshan Ali’s 50 in a second-wicket stand of 92 with captain Nizakat Khan, who contributed 48. No other batter made a score of note, but the show was about to begin in Kuwait’s reply.
Sandaruwan plundered a Kuwait T20 record 78 in boundaries, blasting seven sixes and nine fours from 48 deliveries to carry his team to 147 for two. His partners Clinto Anto (19) and Meet Bhavsar (21) were reduced to virtual spectators, along with Hong Kong.
Nizakat did, however, collect the player-of-the-series award for his 244 runs in five matches, including two half-centuries.
