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Desert T20 2017: Hong Kong open account by defeating Netherlands by 91 runs

Hong Kong were lying at the bottom of Group B but by defeating Netherlands they have finally managed to get off the mark in Desert T20 2017.

Anshuman Rath and NIzakhat Khan were clinical in their side's win over Netherlands © Getty Images
Anshuman Rath and NIzakhat Khan were clinical in their side’s win over Netherlands © Getty Images

In match no. 10 of the ongoing Desert Twenty20 (T20) Challenge 2017, Hong Kong were up against Netherlands in a must-win clash for both sides. Hong Kong managed to finally open their accounts and add two vital points in the kit by beating Netherlands by 91 runs. Chasing a challenging score of 184 in 20 overs, Netherlands were never in the hunt and succumbed to their second consecutive defeat in the tournament. With this win, Hong Kong are not yet done and dusted in the tournament as it all boils down to Oman’s fate in their last encounter against table-toppers Scotland. On the other hand, after missing out on a deserving victory last night, Netherlands faltered again in their third game of the tournament.

Hong Kong opted to bat and posted a healthy target for their opponents. Openers, Nizakhat Khan and Aizaz Khan, displayed aggressive intent as the duo piled up a 50-run stand in 4 overs. Just when they were looking to take the game away from their opponents, Aizaz was run-out for 14. Nizakhat continued to score at a brisk rate before he also departed in similar fashion for 59. His innings included 7 fours and 2 maximums. His strike-rate of 178.78 showed the kind of start he provided to Hong Kong courtesy his berserk knock.

Full Cricket Scorecard, Hong Kong vs Netherlands, Match 10, Desert T20 2017

After his departure, Netherlands looked determined to not give away easy runs but failed to grab quick wickets to derail the flow of runs. Anshuman Rath and Waqas Khan continued Hong Kong’s upward spiral with the bat as the duo stitched another fifty-run stand and propelled the team’s score over 150.

Chasing 184 in a crucial game, Netherlands did not get off to a desirable start. They lost quick wickets which pushed them under immense pressure. The likes of Peter Barron, Michael Rippon and Ben Cooper fell like nine pins and left without adding plenty on board. The onus shifted to their experienced campaigner Roelof van der Merwe but no one could prevent another disappointing night for Netherlands.

Rath, Ehsan Khan and Nadeem Ahmed were the wicket-takers for Hong Kong as Netherlands were all-out for 92.With this defeat, Netherlands have lost two out of their three games whereas Hong Kong finish with same numbers but a superior net run-rate.

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