Hong Kong’s women have T20 World Cup dream ended by blistering innings from UAE opener Esha Oza
- Oza hammers 85 off 60 balls on way to powering her side to 57-run win in semi-finals of Asia regional qualifier
- Hong Kong captain Kary Chan bemoans messy performance in field as side’s tournament ends with a whimper
Hong Kong suffered their second heavy loss in three days as their dreams of making the global qualifier for the Women’s T20 World Cup were blown away by UAE opener Esha Oza on Friday.
Esha hammered 85 off 60 balls as her side wracked up 141 for four in their innings of the Asia regional qualifier semi-final at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
Hong Kong were then bowled out for just 84 in 16.5 overs, slumping to a 57-run defeat and missing out on making the next stage for the first time in the side’s history.
Thailand were the other team to advance to the global qualifier, beating Nepal by 46 runs in the second semi-final.
“At the start, we had a plan,” Kary Chan, the Hong Kong captain, said. “But after Esha [Oza] hit a few boundaries, we were messy in the field. She batted well, but our bowlers did not bowl in the right areas.”
Hong Kong started brightly after winning the toss and electing to bowl. Early pressure led to Theertha Satish attempting an improbable single only to be run out by a direct hit from Maryam Bibi, leaving the UAE seven for one in the third over.
