Hong Kong’s women give coach cause for optimism despite rain-hit defeat in T20 warm-up
- Nepal win final of Malaysia Women’s T20I Quadrangular Series thanks for torrential downpour
- But coach Andy Cottam believes side’s batting and bowling will stand up to tough test in World Cup qualifiers
Hong Kong lost to Nepal by 13 runs in a rain-hit final at the Malaysia Women’s T20I Quadrangular Series, but gave coach Andy Cottam cause for optimism heading into this week’s World Cup qualifying tournament.
Having seen his side put on a competitive 101 for six, he then watched as his bowlers failed to capitalise on the early wicket of Kajal Shresta, who was trapped in front by seamer Iqra Sahar in the first over of Nepal’s chase.
Sita Rana Magar and Indu Barma benefited from some sloppy fielding and loose deliveries to propel the score to 37 in the sixth over, and a torrential downpour on Saturday scuppered Hong Kong’s hopes of a comeback, forcing the game to be called off with Nepal ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target.
The tournament, which also included Kuwait, served as vital preparation ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Regional Qualifier, where Hong Kong are in Group B alongside Thailand, China, Myanmar, and Kuwait.
Group A is made up of the hosts, along with Bahrain, Bhutan, Nepal, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The top two from each group will progress to the semi-finals, and the winners of those will advance to next year’s 10-team global qualifier.
“Had that game continued, it would have been an excellent game of cricket,” Cottam, the Hong Kong coach, said.
