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Hong Kong deserve ODI status: Dean Jones

Hong Kong put up a gallant fight against India in their Asia Cup encounter, losing by only 26 runs.

Dean Jones, ICC, Asia Cup, Asia Cup 2018, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, UAE, Afghanistan
Dean Jones © Getty Images (file photo)

Hong Kong‘s terrific fight against India in the ongoing Asia Cup impressed all and sundry. They first restricted India to 285 for 7 after the latter had raced to 161 for 1 in the 30th over. Then their openers, Nizakat Khan (92) and captain Anshuman ‘Anshy’ Rath (73) added 174 for the opening wicket before they ran out of steam as debutant Khaleel Ahmed and the two Indian wrist-spinners bowled India to a 26-run win.

After the match, Dean Jones congratulated the Hong Kong team on the performance, also insisting ICC reinstate their ODI status if they “had any heart”. Hong Kong had lost their ODI status after the ICC World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year, which also witnessed the revoking of status for Papua New Guinea. Netherlands and — for the first time — Nepal were, on the other hand, granted ODI status.

‘Deano’ also emphasised on the limited funds Hong Kong Cricket receives from ICC, and the importance of cash in development of cricket in the country.

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