Hong Kong vs United Arab Emirates, ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier, 2019

That's it from this game! However, cricketing action today does not stop as there is still a game left. Canada will be taking on Nigeria. Do join us for all the action from that game. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Man of the Match, Rameez Shahzad, says he was thinking about the last two times he missed his half tons by a close margin but was sure he would get it this time. Says his dad, who played in the 1996 World Cup would surely be watching this match. Further adds that they were confident and looked to attack from the start with the bat.

To be honest the victory was set up by the UAE bowlers. They bowled brilliantly throughout. Mustafa and Waheed were the stars for them and in the end, their batters did the job by chasing this down easily.

Easy-peasy! The UAE side has chased this total down without breaking a sweat. Yes, they lost Mustafa early but Suri and Shahzad, got their eye in and once they did that, they scored at will. The two added 93 for the second wicket with Shahzad scoring a fifty. He did fall shortly after that but Suri remained unbeaten six short of it and took his side over the line.

15.1

4

FOUR! VICTORY FOR UAE! Suri has completed the job for the hosts! Full length ball outside off, Suri takes the aerial route and lofts it over the cover fielder for a boundary. UAE win by 8 wickets.

14.6

.

Length ball outside off, Ahmed looks to play at it but the ball whizzes past his outside edge.

14.5

1

Suri opens the face of his bat to this length ball and guides it towards third man for one.

Waheed Ahmed is the new man in.

14.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Shahzad has thrown his wicket away but only after taking the hosts to the brink of victory. Short of a length ball outside off, Shahzad looks to pull it towards the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. He does not get the timing on it to clear the fence and the fielder, Raag Kapur in the deep takes a simple catch. He could have finished the game for UAE but he has to walk back after a very good innings.

14.3

4

FOUR! Full ball wide outside off, Shahzad slaps this one through the cover region and the ball races to the fence. 4 runs needed to win now.

14.2

.

Short delivery outside off, Shahzad pulls this one but straight to the man.

14.1

4

FOUR! Delicate! What a shot to bring up your fifty! Length ball just outside off, Shahzad opens the face of his bat and help it fine towards third man. The ball races to the fence. First T20I half ton for Shahzad!

Kyle Christie is back into the attack. He is the only wicket taker till now.

13.6

.

Suri pushes this one back towards the bowler.

13.5

2b

Two byes! Floated on off, Chirag looks to push at it but the ball spins in and he misses the line of the delivery. The keeper fails to collect it and the ball rolls towards fine leg as the batters take two byes.

13.4

.

Floated on the pads, Suri looks to paddle it towards the leg side but it comes off the inner half onto the pads and then it roll towards fine leg.

13.3

.

Suri pushes this floated one on off towards mid off.

13.2

.

On the pads, tucked towards the man at mid-wicket.

13.1

2

Floated on the off pole, Suri reverse sweeps it towards backward square leg and takes a couple.

12.6

4

FOUR! Edgy one! 18 from the over. 100 is up too. Width on offer again, Shahzad throws his bat at it. The ball finds the outside edge and goes down to the third man fence.

12.5

.

Length and on off, Shahzad strokes it firmly to the man at mid off.

12.5

1wd

WIDE! Short and a little too wide outside off, the batter throws his bat at it but misses.

12.4

6

SIX! That is colossal! Just the 21 needed now. Shahzad comes down the track and Aizaz bowls it short. Shahzad hammers it over the mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

12.3

.

Almost! A yorker outside off, Shahzad makes room and then looks to jam it out but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the keeper.

12.2

1

Now looks to play the paddle sweep but it goes off the bottom edge towards square leg for one.

12.1

6

SIX! UAE on the charge now! Slightly shorter and on off, the length is picked early. It is pulled over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Aizaz Khan is back on!

11.6

.

A dot to end! Shorter and on off, this is pushed to covers.

11.5

2

A couple now! Very full and on middle, this is hit down powerfully towards long on for two.

11.4

.

On middle, Shahzad goes back and guides it to point.

11.3

6

SIX! That is huge! Another short one, it is the googly. Shahzad picks it, he goes back and pulls it hard over the mid-wicket fence. It goes a long way back. Shahzad wants to end it quickly now.

11.2

4

FOUR! 42 needed now! Short and outside off, Shahzad reaches out for it, cuts it, gets it past point and the ball races to the fence.

11.1

.

The googly on middle, it spins back in. Shahzad does not pick it but in the end defends it out.

10.6

1

Well fielded in the end! Shorter and on middle, Shahzad flat-bats it down towards long on. The fielder there almost overruns the ball. He though sticks his hand out to his right and stops it. Single taken.

10.5

1

A loopy dipping full toss on middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.

10.4

1

Very full and on the pads, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one.

10.3

2

Another good drive! Fuller and outside off, this is creamed wide of long off for two.

10.2

1

This is angled into the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

10.1

4

FOUR! Misfield! Not something you can afford while defending such a low score. Full and on off, this is driven towards mid off where the fielder runs to his right and dives over the ball.

Raag Kapur is on now!

9.6

1

A single to end as this is hit down to long on for one.

9.5

1

Shahzad makes room, the bowler gives it air. Shahzad hits it hard towards long off for one.

9.4

1

Loopy ball on off, this is eased down to long off for one.

9.3

.

Suri shuffles across and the bowler bowls it very full. It is worked to mid-wicket.

9.2

1

Close shave! On middle, Shahzad defends it on the leg side and sets off. The bowler runs towards the ball and then as he slides, picks it up and has a shy at this end but misses. Would have been close had he hit.

9.1

1

On off, Suri works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Waqas Barkat is into the attack.

8.6

4

FOUR! All the pressure released there! Poor ball. Short and wide outside off, Shahzad slaps it through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

8.5

.

Back of a length and on off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

8.4

2

A couple! Short and on middle, this is pulled towards fine leg. The fielder there runs to his left, slides and then parries it to the fielder running to his right from deep square leg. Two taken.

8.3

.

On middle, this is defended onto the ground. Quite a few dots in the last few overs. 67 needed in 69.

8.2

1

Safe again! It is just not going Hong Kong's way. One more short one from Arshad. Suri looks to pull but gets another top edge. It once again lands safe in the square leg region. One run taken.

8.1

.

Very full and on middle, it is worked to mid-wicket.

7.6

.

It remains that way as Khan bowls another dot. On middle, it is once again worked on the leg side for no runs.

7.5

.

Just the one run from the over so far as there is another dot. On middle, it is worked to square leg.

7.4

.

Fired this one on off, Shahzad gets right behind the line and keeps it out.

7.3

1

A little too full this time and it is eased down to long on for one.

7.2

.

One more dot as this is worked to the man at mid-wicket.

7.1

.

This is on off, it is pushed back to the bowler.

Ehsan Khan is back into the attack!

6.6

.

A slower one outside off, it is left alone.

6.6

1wd

Down the leg side, it has been wided.

6.5

1

One more delivery on a length and outside off, this is guided down to third man for one.

6.4

1

One more short one, Shahzad this time plays a controlled pull shot down to fine leg for one.

6.3

1

In the air... safe! Slightly shorter and on middle, the ball sticks in the surface. Suri looks to pull but gets a top edge. It lands well short of the deep square leg fielder for one.

6.2

.

One more length ball on off, this is kept out.

6.1

.

A low full toss to begin with. It is driven back towards the bowler who leaps and stops it with one hand. Not cleanly but no runs conceded.

Haroon Arshad is on now!

5.6

.

One more ball on a length and on off, Shahzad strokes it to mid off.

5.5

.

Closer to the off pole this time, this is guided to point.

5.4

4

FOUR! Hammered! Width on offer and Shahzad puts it away. It is slightly shorter, Shahzad slaps it through cover-point and bags a boundary.

5.3

1

One more good length ball around off, Suri opens the face of the bat, plays it down towards third man and takes one.

5.2

1

Another length ball on off, this is guided down to third man for one.

5.1

1

This is on middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket.

Aizaz Khan is back!

4.6

6

SIX! High and handsome! Shahzad gets hold of this one. He makes room by staying leg side of this delivery, jumps down to the pitch of the ball and rockets it over long on. 13 from the over!

4.5

.

Shortish and on middle, Shahzad tries to pull but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

4.4

1

A long hop on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one.

4.3

4

FOUR! Fine shot! Good awareness of the field! Flighted delivery, landing full around off, Suri goes down and across before slogging it over backward square leg for a boundary.

4.2

2

Shortish again, around off, Suri moves across the stumps and pulls it over mid-wicket. It's stopped well near the fence and the batsmen take a brace.

4.1

.

A flatter delivery, on the shorter side around leg, Suri gets back and helps it back in the direction of mid-wicket.

Kinchit Shah to bowl.

3.6

4lb

FOUR LEG BYES! A poor ball to end! Spoils the over somewhat. Once again the bowler starts off a little too straight, it tails back in more. Shahzad looks to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. It goes down to the fine leg fence.

3.5

.

Some swing there but the line is a little too straight. This starts on middle and it comes back in. Shahzad looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

3.4

.

A short one on middle to welcome the new batter, Shahzad ducks under it.

Rameez Shahzad is the new batsman.

3.3

W

OUT! In the air... taken! The dasher, Mustafa is out of here. Early wicket for Hong Kong. Just what they would have wanted. That is a good catch by Ehsan Khan. Christie bowls this on the leg pole. Mustafa looks to flick but is a touch early in the stroke. A leading edge is induced. It goes high up in the air behind cover-point. Khan there does not look comfortable under it. He though keeps his eyes on it, takes and then falls forward. A good catch in the end and one he needed to hang onto.

3.2

1

Another delivery on the pads, Suri works it to square leg and crosses.

3.1

2

This one is on the pads and quietly worked behind square leg for a couple of runs.

3.1

1wd

Wide! Slips a length ball down the leg side, Suri tries flicking but misses.

2.6

.

This is full and on off, Mustafa strokes it to covers. Another decent over for Hong Kong.

2.5

1

The batter makes room and the bowler follows him. Suri pushes it past the bowler and towards mid on for one.

2.4

.

On middle, Suri works it to the man at mid-wicket.

2.3

1

On middle, this is defended on the off side for one.

2.2

.

Shorter and on the stumps, Rohan makes room and cuts it to point.

2.1

.

Flatter and on middle, this is kept out.

Ehsan Khan is on now!

1.6

.

Good length and on off, Suri defends it onto the ground. A good over by Khan first up.

1.5

.

Outside off, this is left alone.

1.4

1

On off, the batter drops it towards cover for one.

1.3

.

On the pads, the batter tries to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

1.3

1wd

WIDE! Down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. Wided.

1.2

.

A slower one and fuller on off, this is stroked to covers.

1.1

1

Starts off with a nice delivery. It is on off and it shapes away a touch. The batter drops it towards the off side for one.

Aizaz Khan to bowl from the other end.

0.6

4

EDGY FOUR! Mustafa won't care. He steps down the track and Christie bowls it short. Rohan swings his bat but only manages an outside edge which goes down to the third man fence. Two boundaries to end the first over. Perfect start for UAE.

0.5

4

FOUR! Mustafa is off the mark in style! Starts from where he left off that day against Ireland. A half-volley on off, Mustafa creams it through covers and the ball races away to the fence.

0.4

1

Almost! Very full and on middle, Suri looks to flick again but it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg for one.

0.3

2

A couple! UAE are underway! Strays in line and bowls it on the pads, it is worked behind square on the leg side for two.

0.2

.

Another one on a length and around off, Suri is solid in defense.

0.1

.

Starts off with a good length ball on off, Suri keeps it out from the back foot.

We are back for the chase! The Hong Kong players make their way out to the middle. Rohan Mustafa and Chirag Suri are the openers for the hosts. The bowling will be opened by Kyle Christie. Here we go...

Right then, a target of 117 for UAE to collect back-to-back wins. The pitch is on the slower side but they have shown that they have the batting well-equipped to do it. Can the Hong Kong bowlers defend it and spring a surprise? Do join us in a short while to find out.

Waheed Ahmed says that he is happy with his bowling. Adds that he aims to bowl variations every now and then and bowl wicket-to-wicket. Tells that it is a very slow surface. Suggests that bowling off cutters is the best option on this pitch. On being asked about his best deliveries, he says that his captain, Ahmed Raza, feels his best ball is the slower one.

UAE bowled wisely. They didn't get frustrated when the wickets weren't coming and stuck to a good line and length. Their spinners utilized the conditions superbly with Ahmed Raza and Rohan Mustafa tightening the nozzle. Waheed Ahmed picked up a couple of wickets and was brilliant with his variations. Here he is giving a quick interview.

Yet another abysmal batting performance by Hong Kong! They decided to be careful in their approach today after yesterday's disappointing show but ended up being overcautious. In the bid to protect their wickets for the late onslaught, the HK batsmen didn't pay enough heed to the scoring rate. The platform was set for them in the last five overs with 8 wickets in hand but the fiery train never arrived. Just 28 runs came in the last five with five wickets going down and they ended up with a paltry total once more.

19.6

1lb

A leg bye to end! A top class over. Just the 2 runs and 2 wickets from it. This is fired on the pads, the batter looks to slog sweep but misses. It hits him on the pads and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is taken. HONG KONG END ON 116/7!

19.5

.

A yorker again and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. One more dot.

19.4

W

OUT! Another one bites the dust! Another very full ball and on middle. McKechnie looks to whip but misses. He gets hit on the pads and up goes the finger. Once again Mustafa is doing a great job in the last over.

19.3

.

A mix-up but safe! A very full ball again, this is forced towards mid-wicket. The non-striker is off but is sent back. The fielder picks the ball up and throws it to the bowler but he is in.

Scott McKechnie is the new man in for Hong Kong.

19.2

W

OUT! LBW! As plumb as it gets! This is very full, right in the blockhole. Haroon shuffles across and tries to sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal and the umpire raises his finger immediately.

19.1

1

Very full and on middle, this is whipped towards deep mid-wicket for one.

18.6

2

Haroon Arshad pulls this one towards square leg and takes a quick couple.

18.5

1b

The batsman fails to put bat on ball. They have run through for a single. Byes have been called by the umpire.

18.4

2

Another mix up but the batter manages to get back in! Simandeep Singh whips this one off his pads towards mid-wicket. The batters complete the first quickly and want the second. They complete it with a dive by Haroon Arshad at the non-striker end. Almost a team hat-trick for the hosts.

Haroon Arshad walks out to bat.

18.3

W

OUT! RUN OUT! Another wicket goes down for Hong Kong. Kinchit pushes this one towards cover and sets off on his bike. There was no run there as he had played it straight to the fielder but Kinchit still challenges him. The fielder there, Ahmed Raza, picks it up and throws it to the bowler who whips the bails off in a flash. Kinchit is well short despite his dive and the umpire raises his finger.

Simandeep Singh is the new man in.

18.2

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Hong Kong lose their 4th wicket! This was a nothing shot from Waqas Barkat and he pays the price. Barkat tries to make room and play this towards the off side. The bowler spots this and pushes the ball wide outside off. Barkat is stretched but he tries to still play at it. The ball lobs towards the man at cover-point, Rameez Shahzad, who takes a simple catch. Hong Kong stumbling at the end again.

18.1

1

Full ball on the leg pole, Kinchit jams it out towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

17.6

1

Shah now tries to play the paddle but the ball is outside off, he ends up playing the reverse paddle scoop towards short third man for one. 8 from the over, a good one for Hong Kong.

17.5

1

Another paddle sweep by Barkat, this time he does not get it past short fine leg and a single is taken.

17.4

1

Extremely full and on off, this is hit down to long off for one.

17.3

.

A huge appeal but turned down! That looked very close. This is very full around off, Shah looks to reverse sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. The impact maybe just outside off.

17.2

1

A yorker this time, this is jammed out towards cover for one.

17.1

4

FOUR! Clever, clever shot! Waqas just used the pace of the bowler there. A welcome boundary. This is a quick full toss by Mustafa. WB goes down on one knee and paddles it over the keeper's head for a boundary. Early boundary in the over, need to make use of it now.

16.6

.

Length delivery outside off, Kinchit looks to fend at it but is beaten by the movement on it.

16.5

1

Barkat flicks this fuller one towards mid-wicket for a single.

16.4

1

Kinchit Shah pushes this one towards mid off for one.

16.3

2

Dropped or stopped? Whatever it is, it was a brilliant effort from the fielder in the deep. Short of a length ball outside off, Kinchit pulls this one uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs to his left, dives but only gets a hand to it which slows the ball down. The fielder from deep backward square leg mops it up and the batters take a couple in the meantime.

16.2

.

Fullish ball outside off, Kinchit pushes this towards mid off.

16.1

1

Very slow ball, wide outside off. Barkat stretches and hits it towards cover for a run.

Zahoor Khan is back!

15.6

1

Full ball on middle and off, Barkat smashes this one straight over the bowler's head but does not get the desired timing on it.

15.5

1

Kinchit flicks this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Waqas Barkat is the new man in.

15.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Aizaz Khan is out of here and another timely wicket for the hosts. Ahmed bowls a good length ball outside off, it is lacking in pace. Aizaz looks to heave this one over the mid-wicket fence but does not get the timing he wants. The fielder from deep mid-wicket, Rameez Shahzad runs in and takes an easy catch. Another budding stand is broken.

15.4

1wd

Wide! Down the leg side, Aizaz Khan looks to flick it down the leg side but misses. Wided!

The two umpires get together to have a chat and then convey the message to the batsmen - It's for running on the danger area. First official warning given!

15.3

2

Good use of the huge ground here. Aizaz Khan pushes this one towards mid-wicket and is looking for a couple. He gets it easily as he has placed it right in the gap.

15.2

1

Good length ball outside off, Kinchit plays this one uppishly towards cover for a single.

15.1

1

Length ball on the pads, Aizaz flicks this one again towards square leg for one.

Waheed is back into the attack. His figures so far are 3-0-16-1.

14.6

1

On the pads of Aizaz, he flicks it towards square leg for one.

14.5

1

Deceives Kinchit by pace! Length ball outside off, Kinchit tries to make room but the bowler spots it. He angles it into the batter. Kinchit looks to open the face of his bat but it goes off the inside half back past the bowler for a single towards mid on.

14.4

1

Aizaz Khan comes down the track and flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

14.3

.

Short of a length ball on middle, Aizaz looks to help it over the keeper's head but misses.

14.2

2

Short and wide outside off, Aizaz cuts this one towards deep cover for a couple. The fielder in the deep throws it away from the keeper but no extra run conceded.

14.1

1

Fuller one on the pads, Kinchit flicks this one off his pads towards the leg side and takes a quick single.

Zahoor Khan is back into the attack. He went for 14 in his first. Needs to be better in this spell.

13.6

2

Aizaz Khan pushes this one towards mid-wicket with soft hands and takes a couple. 9 runs off the over. Hong Kong need more of these.

13.5

1

Kinchit flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

13.4

4

FOUR! Swept and swept well! On the pads, flatter this time by Raza. Kinchit gets down on one knee and plays the sweep nicely this time towards backward square leg and a boundary results.

13.3

.

Short and wide outside off, Kinchit cuts this one to the man at point.

13.2

1

Aizaz Khan pushes this one off the back foot towards mid-wicket for a single.

13.1

1

Floats one on the pads does Raza, Kinchit gets down on one knee and looks to sweep but gets a top edge on it. Luckily, it falls in no man's land at square leg and the batters take one.

Raza Ahmed is back on! He has been economical and taken a wicket so far.

12.6

1

Down the leg side, Kinchit flicks this one towards short fine leg for a quick single. He retains strike.

12.5

1

On the hips of Aizaz, he flicks it towards mid-wicket for one.

12.4

.

Good length ball on the off pole line, pushed back towards the bowler.

12.3

1

Short and wide outside off, Kinchit cuts it to the man at point who dives to his right and does well to keep it down to a single.

12.2

1

Another full ball, Aizaz chips it again towards mid-wicket for one.

12.1

2

Aizaz Khan chips this fullish ball towards mid-wicket for a couple.

11.6

1

Aizaz Khan pulls this one towards mid-wicket and takes a single to retain strike.

11.5

1

Shorter outside off, pushed towards cover for one.

11.4

1

Aizaz pushes this one towards long on and takes a single.

11.3

2

A better throw and Aizaz would have been in trouble. Short and wide outside off, Aizaz cuts this one towards deep cover. The fielder in the deep gets to the ball and throws it back to the keeper quickly but the accuracy is just off. That allows the batters to take two.

11.2

.

Outside off, Aizaz pushes this one towards point.

11.1

1

Darts one on the pads, Kinchit flicks this one towards short fine leg and the batters take a quick single.

10.6

1

A single to end a successful over. The last ball is worked through square leg for one.

10.5

.

A low full toss on off, this is hit back to the bowler.

10.4

.

Slower one on middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.

10.3

1

A direct hit and Shah was probably a goner! Khan taps this towards the right of the keeper and Shah wants a run. The keeper gets to the ball and has a shy at his end but misses. Shah did dive but don't think that dive would have saved him. One risky run added to the total.

Aizaz Khan, the Hong Kong skipper, walks out to bat now.

10.2

W

OUT! KABOOM! Nizakat is out of here! Good wicket as he was well set and probably looking to up the ante. It is a good delivery. It starts from outside off and comes back in. The batter fails to cope with the movement and he ends up playing outside the line. Misses and the middle stump is knocked back. So the hosts are managing to take timely wickets and that's keeping them on top.

10.1

4

FOUR! Streaky runs! Honk Kong won't care. Nizakat comes down the track and swings at a length ball outside off. It goes off the inside edge and down to the fine leg fence. Maybe Nizakat has decided to step on the gas.

9.6

1

Gets away with one more, Haider. This is very short and on middle, Nizakat pulls it towards deep square leg only for one.

9.5

1

Outside off, the batter opens the face of the bat and guides it towards point for one.

9.4

.

Well bowled! This is a loopy ball outside off, it turns back in. Kinchit looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads.

9.3

2

The bowler gets away with one there! This is very short outside off, it also sticks in the surface and hence, Shah only manages to mistime it towards wide long off. Two more added to the total.

9.2

1

Floats it up on middle, this is whipped down to long on for one. A risky shot that against the turn.

9.1

2

Starts off with a tossed up ball outside off, Nizakat strokes it wide of long off and takes two. 50 is also up, it has come up slowly but the good thing for Hong Kong is they haven't lost a lot of wickets.

Imran Haider is into the attack now.

8.6

.

So just the boundary from the over! The last ball is on off, Shah drops it towards point. He wants a run but is sent back.

8.5

.

Another dot! Very full again, Kinchit jams it out to the bowler.

8.4

4

FOUR! This should release some pressure that was building. An exquisite shot. Shah creams it through extra cover. The man at long off has no chance as he runs to his right.

8.3

.

Three dots in a row! Another slower one, it is worked to the man at mid-wicket.

8.2

.

A slower one on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler. 2 dots to begin.

8.1

.

Extremely full and on off, this is hit down to mid off.

Waheed Ahmed comes into the attack.

7.6

1

Flatter and on middle, Shah whipped it through square leg for another run.

7.5

1

Fuller and on the pads again, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one.

7.4

1

This is fuller again and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

7.3

.

Fuller and on off, this is once again hit back to the bowler.

7.2

.

On off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

7.1

1

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Kinchit Shah is the new man in for Hong Kong.

6.6

W

OUT! Caught and bowled! Raza, the skipper, draws first blood. Probably a timely wicket as the two would have started to step on the gas now. Abbasi comes down the track and Raza slows it up and lands it on middle. Abbasi looks to work it on the leg side but is done in by the pace. It goes off the leading edge as Abbasi is early into the stroke. Raza takes a simple return catch.

6.5

1

Flatter and outside off, Nizakat throws his bat at it. It goes off the outside edge towards short third man for one.

6.4

3

Nicely played! Abbasi plays the paddle sweep, he manages to hit it from outside off, gets it down towards fine leg for three.

6.3

.

An arm ball on middle, Abbasi looks to drive but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket.

6.2

1

Shorter and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

6.1

.

On off, it is pushed to mid off.

Ahmed Raza, the skipper is back on. 2-0-8-0 so far from him.

5.6

1

A single to end the Powerplay! It has been slow going from the Hong Kong side but good thing is that they haven't lost any wicket. The last ball is worked through mid-wicket for one.

5.5

1

One more low full toss on middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

5.4

.

Abbasi makes room but Mustafa follows him with a very full ball. Abbasi swings but misses to get hit on the pads again.

5.3

.

A yorker on middle, this is jammed out towards mid-wicket.

5.2

.

Slightly slower on the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

5.1

2

The batter makes room and Mustafa bowls a low full toss on middle, it is squeezed out through covers for two.

Rohan Mustafa is on now! He bowled amazingly in the last match taking a 4-fer against Ireland. Can he do something similar here?

4.6

1

Abbasi pushes this fullish ball towards mid on and takes a quick single to keep strike. 14 runs off the over and a good start for Hong Kong.

4.5

.

Down the leg side, Abbasi looks to paddle it fine down the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

4.4

4

FOUR! Abbasi times it properly this time! On the pads, a full ball. Abbasi flicks this one over the mid on fielder for a boundary.

4.3

4

EDGED AND FOUR! Zahoor bowls a full ball outside off, Abbasi looks to smash it down the ground but it goes off the outside edge past the wicketkeeper and into the fence.

4.2

1

On the pads, Nizakat flicks it towards backward square leg for one.

4.1

4

FOUR! Misfield in the deep and it results in a boundary. The bowler will be extremely disappointed with that. Good length ball on the pads, Nizakat flicks this one uppishly towards deep square leg. It goes on the bounce to the fielder there but it spins and deceives him as he runs past the ball. UAE cannot afford this.

Zahoor Khan is into the attack now.

3.6

.

Make that 5! Top, top over. Just the single from it. Slightly shorter and outside off, this is cut to the man at point.

3.5

.

On off, Abbasi pushes it to covers. 4 dots after the first ball.

3.4

.

Fires it on the stumps, the batter is happy to block it out.

3.3

.

On the stumps again, this is pushed back to the bowler.

3.2

1

One more single! This is worked with the angle towards mid on for one.

3.1

1

Takes a few steps down the track and hits it down to long off for one.

2.6

2

In the air... safe! A short one outside off, Nizakat looks to drag it on the leg side but gets a top edge which falls safe in the mid-wicket region. Two taken.

2.5

.

An appeal but it is off the thigh pad. This is on the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses. It brushes the pad and goes to the keeper.

2.4

4

FOUR! Too short and pays the price. Not sure why he bowled this length when he is getting some nice movement. It bounces at a good height for the batter. Khan pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

2.3

.

A good short one! Nizakat spots it early and ducks under it.

2.2

1

A little too straight this time, this is worked down to fine leg for one.

2.1

.

That is a gem! Absolute gem! This is landing on off and then straightens. The batter looks to defend the original trajectory and gets beaten. Not a lot you can do about that delivery.

1.6

.

Another mix up and this time the non-striker survives, JUST! Not what Hong Kong need at all. This time Nizakat flicks it towards mid-wicket. Abbasi sets off on his bike but there is no run there. Nizakat sends him back and Abbasi has to dive back in to get inside the crease at the non-striker's end. An eventful over ends.

1.5

.

Mix up and it nearly cost Hong Kong. Nizakat flicks this one towards square leg and sets off for a run. However, his partner is not interested and Nizakat has to rush back to his crease. He gets in just before the throw reaches to the keeper.

1.4

1

First ball for Abbasi in the tournament and he is off the mark straightaway. Flicks it off his pads towards fine leg for one.

1.3

1

Similar shot to the last one but this time Khan plays it a touch square. The fielder at deep mid-wicket gets to it and the batters take one.

1.2

4

FOUR! First boundary of the innings! Raza floats it up but it is in the slot on the off pole line, Nizakat gets down on one knee and heaves it towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

1.1

.

Flatter one on off, Nizakat pushes it to the man at cover.

Skipper Ahmed Raza to bowl from the other end.

0.6

1

Shortish and on off, it's forced off the back foot towards cover-point and collects a single.

0.6

1wd

Wide! Wrong line and Hong Kong are off the mark. Siddique slips a length ball down the leg side. Khan tries to flick but misses.

0.5

.

Five dot balls, great start from Junaid. Back of a length ball on off, Khan punches it off his back foot but finds the fielder in front of square on the off side.

0.4

.

Beaten again! Another delivery moving away off the seam, Khan is caught pushing and missing inside the line.

0.3

.

An outswinger outside off, Nizakat tries to push it through the line but is beaten by the away movement.

0.2

.

Attempts a tap and run but Khan is sent back. On a good length outside off, Nizakat taps it down to covers and sets off for a run. His partner ain't interested. We have seen so many run outs already in this tournament.

0.1

.

Siddique starts with a length delivery outside off, Khan steers it through the line but finds the cover-point fielder.

The UAE players are out on the ground and are taking their fielding positions. The Hong Kong openers, Nizakat Khan and Ahsan Abbasi follow them out to the middle with the former taking strike. Junaid Siddique to start the proceedings for UAE with the ball.

Pitch Report - The ground is huge and that is why only a few balls are going for maximums. Further suggests that the ball is coming slowly off the surface and the players should look to play straight rather than square of the wicket. Informs about the two changes - Chirag Suri and Imran Haider are playing today.

Ahmed Raza, the UAE skipper, feels that they played really good cricket in the last match against Ireland and want to continue that. On the surface, he suggests that it is a day game and does not feel that it will change much throughout the game.

Aizaz Khan, the Hong Kong skipper, says that the wicket looks good and they want to put on a big total on the board. Adds that it looks like a flat deck. On being asked about Anshuman Rath, Aizaz Khan says that he was a crucial player for them but his absence brings opportunity for other players. Informs about the two changes, Shahid Wasif and Nasrulla Rana are replaced by Ahsan Abbasi and Raag Kapur.

United Arab Emirates (Playing XI)- Rohan Mustafa, Darius D'Silva, Chirag Suri (in for Ashfaq Ahmed), Junaid Siddique, Rameez Shahzad, Waheed Ahmed, Mohammad Boota(WK), Ahmed Raza(C), Muhammad Usman, Imran Haider (in for Sultan Ahmed), Zahoor Khan.

Hong Kong (Playing XI) - Nizakat Khan, Ahsan Abbasi (in for Shahid Wasif), Kinchit Shah, Aizaz Khan (C), Waqas Barkat, Simandeep Singh, Scott McKechnie (WK), Haroon Arshad, Ehsan Khan, Raag Kapur (in for Nasrulla Rana), Kyle Christie.

Toss - Hong Kong win the toss and elect to bat first.

Welcome to match no. 15 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier between UAE and Hong Kong. The qualifiers have started on the worst possible note for Hong Kong as they have lost both of their games so far and sit just above Nigeria in the points table. As for the hosts, they made a good comeback against Ireland after losing their opening game against Oman. They are on 2 points and will be looking to gain some momentum now after defeating one of the favourites of the tournament. Will Hong Kong bounce back after their poor start or will UAE gather another win and move further up in the table? Stay tuned for all the action from Abu Dhabi!

Match Center

Match 15, Abu Dhabi, October 21, 2019, 03:40 PM