Hong Kong playing for pride against Afghanistan after Sri Lanka A loss in Asia tournament

Hong Kong are bottom of their four-team group at the Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Oman with one game remaining

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Left hander Yasim Murtaza top scored for Hong Kong in their loss to Sri Lanka ‘A’. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 6:30pm, 21 Oct 2024

Hong Kong will play only for pride against Afghanistan A on Tuesday, after being eliminated from the Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Oman following a one-sided 42-run loss to Sri Lanka A on Sunday.

Head coach Simon Willis’s team, who were beaten by Bangladesh A in their opening match on Friday, suffered a seven-wicket defeat by the Afghans in a warm-up game last week.

Afghanistan are already assured of their semi-final spot, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh set to meet in what is essentially a quarter-final in their final group match.

Pakistan Shaheens, the country’s second team, India A, Oman A and United Arab Emirates are fighting for the two semi-final spots from Group B.

Opener Yashodha Lanka top scored with 56 from 44 balls, as Sri Lanka compiled 178 for five from their 20 overs against Hong Kong. Nuwanidu Fernando, the captain, and Pavan Rathnayake contributed handy cameos, scoring 25 and 23, respectively, at quicker than a run a ball, before No 7 Ramesh Mendis crashed an unbeaten 24 off 12 balls.

Babar Hayat added an innings of 38 to the 85 he clubbed against Bangladesh. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Ateeq Iqbal was the pick of Hong Kong’s bowlers, with two for 26 from his four overs, while Nasrulla Rana came in for some harsh treatment to finish with none for 45 from his quota.