Published On:Sunday, March 16, 2014

Posted by Unknown

Run Rate: 7.45
Overs 20/20   

Run Rate: 5.61
Overs 10.2/20
   

............................
Toss: Hong Kong, who chose to field

Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Rod Tucker, Paul Reiffel, Sundaram Ravi

Referee: Javagal Srinath

    Nepal innings
    Powerplay: 44 runs, 2 wickets
    Nepal: 50 runs in 7.1 overs
    3rd Wicket: 50 runs in 47 balls (Gyanendra Malla 13, Paras Khadka 31)
    Nepal: 100 runs in 14.3 overs

    Innings Break: Nepal - 149/8 in 20 overs

1        Subash Khakurel (W)   
2        Sagar Pun
3        Gyanendra Malla
4        Paras Khadka (C)   
5        Binod Bhandari
6        Sharad Vesawkar
7        Naresh Budayair
8        Basant Regmi
9        Shakti Gauchan
10        Sompal Kami
11        Jitendra Mukhiya
 

1        Waqas Barkat
2        Irfan Ahmed
3        Jamie Atkinson (C)(W)   
4        Babar Hayat
5        Mark Chapman
6        Nizakat Khan
7        Tanwir Afzal
8        Aizaz Khan
9        Najeeb Amar
10        Haseeb Amjad
11        Nadeem Ahmed  

   
10.1
B Regmi to M Chapman, 89.8 km/h good length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary
Over 10 (6 runs) HKG 52/3
B Hayat     20* (24)
M Chapman*     7* (9)

9.6
S Pun to B Hayat, 94.2 km/h good length on middle stump. He picks up two through mid-wicket
9.5
S Pun to B Hayat, no run, 93.0 km/h good length going down leg. He plays and misses
9.4
S Pun to M Chapman, 84.4 km/h good length just outside off stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
9.3
S Pun to B Hayat. He picks up a single straight down the ground
9.2
S Pun to M Chapman, 80.4 km/h good length outside off stump. He picks up a single through the covers
9.1
S Pun to B Hayat, 92.7 km/h good length on off stump. He picks up a single down to 3rd man
Over 9 (1 run) HKG 46/3
M Chapman     5* (7)
B Hayat*     16* (20)

8.6
S Gauchan to M Chapman, no run, 87.7 km/h short length just outside off stump. There is no run there
8.5
S Gauchan to M Chapman, no run, 83.8 km/h short length going down leg. There is no run there
8.4
S Gauchan to M Chapman, no run, 81.4 km/h good length on middle stump. He can't get that one off the square
8.3
S Gauchan to B Hayat, 91.7 km/h short length on middle stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
8.2
S Gauchan to B Hayat, no run, 94.8 km/h good length just outside off stump. He can't get that one off the square
8.1
S Gauchan to B Hayat, no run, 86.6 km/h good length on middle stump. There is no run there
Over 8 (7 runs) HKG 45/3
M Chapman     5* (4)
B Hayat*     15* (17)

7.6
S Pun to M Chapman, 78.0 km/h good length outside off stump. He picks up two backward of square on the off side
7.5
S Pun to M Chapman, no run, 87.7 km/h good length outside off stump. He plays and misses
7.4
S Pun to M Chapman, 79.3 km/h good length just outside off stump. He picks up two through the covers
7.3
S Pun to B Hayat, 83.2 km/h short length on off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
7.2
S Pun to M Chapman, 75.9 km/h good length just outside off stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
7.1
S Pun to B Hayat, 81.0 km/h short length on leg stump. He picks up a single down to fine leg
Over 7 (3 runs, 1 wicket) HKG 38/3
B Hayat*     13* (15)
M Chapman     0* (0)

6.6
S Gauchan to B Hayat, 90.2 km/h short length on middle stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
6.5
S Gauchan to B Hayat, no run, 87.5 km/h short length on off stump. He edges but survives

Wicket! Barkat comes down the track, goes inside out again but this time the timing is not there and Mukhiya is in from long off to take a simple catch!
6.4
S Gauchan to W Barkat, WICKET!!! W Barkat is out c Jitendra Mukhiya b Shakti Gauchan
6.3
S Gauchan to B Hayat, 91.9 km/h good length outside off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
6.2
S Gauchan to W Barkat, 84.7 km/h short length on middle stump. He defends
6.1
S Gauchan to W Barkat, no run, 89.9 km/h short length on leg stump. He defends
Over 6 (5 runs) HKG 35/2
B Hayat     11* (12)
W Barkat*     17* (16)

5.6
B Regmi to B Hayat, no run, 84.7 km/h good length going down leg. He plays and misses
5.5
B Regmi to W Barkat, 86.1 km/h good length on off stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
5.4
B Regmi to W Barkat, no run, 89.3 km/h good length going down leg. He plays and misses
5.3
B Regmi to W Barkat, no run, 91.2 km/h short length on off stump. He can't get that one off the square
5.2
B Regmi to W Barkat, no run, 86.6 km/h good length on leg stump. He can't get that one off the square

Four! Delightful from Barkat, just eases the ball inside out over extra cover. Great footwork.
5.1
B Regmi to W Barkat, 81.7 km/h good length on leg stump. He hits a nice boundary through the covers
Over 5 (10 runs) HKG 30/2
B Hayat     11* (11)
W Barkat*     12* (11)

4.6
J Mukhiya to B Hayat, no run, 125.7 km/h good length outside off stump. He edges but survives
4.5
J Mukhiya to B Hayat, no run, 127.2 km/h short length outside off stump. Straight to the fielder

Four! Another huge swing from Hayat, this time he gets it over mid on and away for four more!
4.4
J Mukhiya to B Hayat, 123.6 km/h short length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary through mid-wicket

Four! Huge slog across the line, Hayat connects and it flies away past square leg for four!
4.3
J Mukhiya to B Hayat, 125.2 km/h short length just outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary through mid-wicket
4.2
J Mukhiya to B Hayat, 127.3 km/h short length just outside off stump. He picks up two through the covers
4.1
J Mukhiya to B Hayat, no run. He can't get that one off the square
Over 4 (6 runs) HKG 20/2
B Hayat*     1* (5)
W Barkat     12* (11)

3.6
S Kami to B Hayat, 135.9 km/h short length just outside off stump. He picks up a single backward of square on the off side
3.5
S Kami to B Hayat, no run, 137.0 km/h short length outside off stump. Straight to the fielder
3.4
S Kami to W Barkat, 131.0 km/h short length outside off stump. He picks up a single backward of square on the off side
3.3
S Kami to W Barkat, no run, 132.4 km/h good length just outside off stump. He defends
3.2
S Kami to W Barkat, no run, 132.4 km/h good length just outside off stump. He defends

Four! Dear oh dear, shocking fielding from the man chasing back from mid on, slides to stop it and completely misses the pull back!
3.1
S Kami to W Barkat, 134.4 km/h full length on middle stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
Over 3 (5 runs) HKG 14/2
B Hayat     0* (3)
W Barkat*     7* (7)

2.6
P Khadka to B Hayat, no run, 94.7 km/h good length just outside off stump. He defends
2.5
P Khadka to B Hayat, no run, 95.1 km/h good length outside off stump. He plays and misses
2.4
P Khadka to B Hayat, no run, 94.5 km/h short length just outside off stump. He goes hard at the ball, but straight to the fielder
2.3
P Khadka to W Barkat, 93.9 km/h short length on middle stump. He picks up a single down to fine leg

Four! Gorgeous shot, Barkat comes down the track and times the ball perfectly through cover!
2.2
P Khadka to W Barkat, 93.1 km/h good length just outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary through the covers
2.1
P Khadka to W Barkat, no run, 89.0 km/h short length just outside off stump. Straight to the fielder
Over 2 (6 runs, 1 wicket) HKG 9/2
W Barkat*     2* (4)

Wicket! This one is not wide enough to cut, Atkinson takes it on and chops onto his stumps! Huge wicket for Nepal!
Over 2 (6 runs, 1 wicket) HKG 9/2
W Barkat*     2* (4)

1.6
S Kami to J Atkinson, WICKET!!! J Atkinson is out b Sompal Kami

Four! Short and wide, captain Atkinson cuts it over backward point for four!
1.5
S Kami to J Atkinson, 132.2 km/h short length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary through the covers
1.4
S Kami to W Barkat, 135.3 km/h short length on leg stump. He defends
1.3
S Kami to W Barkat, no run, 132.6 km/h good length on off stump. He plays and misses
1.2
S Kami to W Barkat, no run, 125.8 km/h good length on middle stump. He defends

Sompal Kami has the ball at the other end
1.1
S Kami to J Atkinson, 125.9 km/h short length on middle stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
Over 1 (3 runs, 1 wicket) HKG 3/1
J Atkinson*     1* (4)
W Barkat     1* (1)

0.6
P Khadka to J Atkinson, 1 leg bye
0.5
P Khadka to W Barkat. He picks up a single through the covers
0.4
P Khadka to J Atkinson. He picks up a single through the covers
0.3
P Khadka to J Atkinson, no run. Straight to the fielder
0.2
P Khadka to J Atkinson, no run. There is no run there

Wicket! Khadka strikes first ball! The Nepalese captain gets a bit of extra bounce across Irfan and he gets a faint edge through to Khakurel who takes it standing up! What a start!
0.1
P Khadka to I Ahmed, WICKET!!! I Ahmed is out c Subash Khakurel b Paras Khadka

Here we go then, Irfan Ahmed and Waqas Barkat are out in the middle for Hong Kong, Paras Khadka has the ball

Paras Khadka and Gyanendra Malla put on a partnership of 80 and made good use of the true pace and bounce, but their side didn't have the stamina to finish big. Hong Kong will look to make the most of this and take the momentum from that final over into their chase. Join us soon for what should be a thrilling second half.

A battling display from both sides has set this match up as Nepal began strongly but Hong Kong pinned them back in the final stages, picking up four wickets in four balls in the last over.

Hong Kong requires 150 runs to win

Innings Break
Over 20 (9 runs, 4 wickets) NEP 149/8
B Regmi*     0* (0)

Wicket! Would you believe it, four wicket in four balls! Gauchan hits it virtually straight back to Amjad who fields the ball cleanly and turns to toss it into the non-striker's end for the run out!
19.6
H Amjad to S Gauchan, WICKET!!! S Gauchan is out run out (Haseeb Amjad)

Wicket! It's a team hat-trick as Budayair steps across his stumps to sweep but is undone by the pace and loses his off stump!
19.5
H Amjad to N Budayair, WICKET!!! N Budayair is out b Haseeb Amjad

Wicket! Vesawkar tries to scamper through for the run but the throw is whipped into Atkinson who does the rest!
19.4
H Amjad to S Vesawkar, WICKET!!! S Vesawkar is out run out (Aizaz Khan)

Wicket! There will be no half-century for Gyanendra Malla as he mis-times the pull shot and loops the ball back to Haseeb Amjad who runs forward to take the catch. A very useful innings nevertheless!
19.3
H Amjad to G Malla, WICKET!!! G Malla is out c & b Haseeb Amjad

Six! Malla goes after the full toss and blasts it high over mid-wicket for the first six of the match!
19.2
H Amjad to G Malla, 102.7 km/h short length on off stump. He picks up two through mid-wicket
19.1
H Amjad to G Malla, 127.7 km/h full toss going down leg. He hits a great shot, that has gone all the way straight down the ground
Over 19 (11 runs) NEP 140/4
S Vesawkar     13* (8)
G Malla*     42* (39)

Four! It's consecutive boundaries as Vesawkar leans back to open the bat and crashes the ball behind point.

Four! Vesawkar doesn't time it fully but gets enough on the shot to hit over cover and the ball bobbles to the fence.
Over 19 (11 runs) NEP 140/4
S Vesawkar     13* (8)
G Malla*     40* (38)

18.6
I Ahmed to S Vesawkar, 139.4 km/h full length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary through the covers
18.5
I Ahmed to S Vesawkar, 132.2 km/h full length just outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary backward of square on the off side

Close! The throw is fired in from mid off but it's wayward and a direct hit would have done it.
18.4
I Ahmed to S Vesawkar, no run, 139.2 km/h full length outside off stump. He plays and misses
18.3
I Ahmed to G Malla, 100.2 km/h short length outside off stump. He picks up a single through the covers
18.2
I Ahmed to S Vesawkar, 134.9 km/h full toss just outside off stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
18.1
I Ahmed to G Malla, 133.3 km/h full length on off stump. He picks up a single

Irfan Ahmed comes on for the penultimate over.
18.1
I Ahmed to G Malla, 133.3 km/h full length on middle stump. He defends
Over 18 (5 runs, 1 wicket) NEP 129/4
S Vesawkar     4* (4)
G Malla*     38* (36)

17.6
N Ahmed to S Vesawkar, no run, 76.8 km/h good length just outside off stump. He defends

The man in the deep races round and dives in time to cut off the four.
17.5
N Ahmed to S Vesawkar, 96.2 km/h full toss on off stump. He picks up two straight down the ground
17.4
N Ahmed to S Vesawkar, 96.3 km/h full toss on off stump. He picks up two straight down the ground
17.3
N Ahmed to S Vesawkar, no run, 83.4 km/h good length going down leg. He defends
17.2
N Ahmed to G Malla, 90.4 km/h full length on leg stump. He picks up a single

Wicket! Bhandari hacks at the pitched up delivery and sends the ball spiraling out to long on. Two men go for it but they manage to sort it out in the end and Waqas Barkat holds on!
17.2
N Ahmed to G Malla, 90.4 km/h full length on leg stump. He picks up a single backward of square on the leg side
17.1
N Ahmed to B Bhandari, WICKET!!! B Bhandari is out c Waqas Barkat b Nadeem Ahmed
Over 17 (10 runs, 1 wicket) NEP 124/3
B Bhandari*     1* (1)
G Malla     37* (35)

16.6
N Amar to B Bhandari, 77.4 km/h good length on middle stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
16.5
N Amar to G Malla, 83.2 km/h short length outside off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket

Four! A premeditated sweep is played to perfection by Malla and he chalks up his fourth boundary.
16.4
N Amar to G Malla, 106.2 km/h good length on off stump. He hits a nice boundary backward of square on the leg side

Close! Nepal continues to swing as Malla swipes across the line and the ball skies just inches wide of Amar.
16.3
N Amar to G Malla, 85.5 km/h good length just outside off stump. He picks up two through mid-wicket

Wicket! Khadka's luck is all used up as he tries to go big again but this time picks out long off.
16.2
N Amar to P Khadka, WICKET!!! P Khadka is out c Nizakat Khan b Najeeb Amar

Dropped! A mis-timed shot over top flies into the air but the man in the deep cannot take the catch over his shoulder.
16.1
N Amar to P Khadka, 79.0 km/h good length just outside off stump. He picks up two straight down the ground

Four overs remain and Nepal will look to tee off.
Over 16 (6 runs) NEP 114/2
P Khadka*     39* (35)
G Malla     30* (32)

15.6
H Amjad to P Khadka, 1 leg bye
15.5
H Amjad to G Malla, 123.7 km/h full toss just outside off stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
15.4
H Amjad to P Khadka, 134.5 km/h full length on off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
15.3
H Amjad to P Khadka, 125.1 km/h short length just outside off stump. He picks up two through mid-wicket
15.2
H Amjad to P Khadka, no run, 123.6 km/h full length on middle stump. He defends
15.1
H Amjad to G Malla, 113.4 km/h short length just outside off stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
Over 15 (14 runs) NEP 108/2
G Malla*     28* (30)
P Khadka     36* (31)

14.6
I Ahmed to G Malla, 132.2 km/h full length outside off stump. He picks up a single through the covers

A top edge skies out to third man but lands safely in front of him.

Four! Malla continues to hit cleanly as he slaps the wide delivery over mid-wicket and the ball tears away.
14.5
I Ahmed to G Malla, 134.5 km/h short length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
14.4
I Ahmed to G Malla, 133.6 km/h good length on middle stump. He picks up two backward of square on the off side

Four! Nepal brings up its 100 as Malla goes up and over cover for four.

The throw misses and Nepal grabs an extra run.
14.3
I Ahmed to G Malla, 135.1 km/h good length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
14.2
I Ahmed to G Malla, 135.8 km/h short length outside off stump. He picks up two straight down the ground
14.1
I Ahmed to G Malla, no run, 135.0 km/h short length just outside off stump. Straight to the fielder

It's sprayed way outside off stump and the eighth wide of the innings is given.
14.1
I Ahmed to G Malla, no run, 135.0 km/h short length just outside off stump. He defends
14.1
I Ahmed to G Malla, Wide delivery
Over 14 (7 runs) NEP 94/2
P Khadka     36* (31)
G Malla*     15* (24)

13.6
N Ahmed to P Khadka, no run, 82.8 km/h good length outside off stump. He plays and misses

Four! Khadka meets the ball with the fall face of the bat and cracks it past long off for four.
13.5
N Ahmed to P Khadka, 98.4 km/h good length on off stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
13.4
N Ahmed to G Malla, 78.9 km/h good length outside off stump. He picks up a single down to fine leg
13.3
N Ahmed to P Khadka, 102.8 km/h good length on leg stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
13.2
N Ahmed to G Malla, 77.7 km/h short length going down leg. He picks up a single through the covers
13.1
N Ahmed to G Malla, no run, 85.4 km/h short length going down leg. He plays and misses
Over 13 (11 runs) NEP 87/2
P Khadka     31* (28)
G Malla*     13* (21)

Four! Khadka hoiks it through the leg side and a misfield in the deep sees the ball wriggle through to the ropes to bring up the 50 partnership.
12.6
A Khan to P Khadka, 127.0 km/h full length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
12.5
A Khan to G Malla, 110.2 km/h short length outside off stump. He picks up a single straight down the ground
12.4
A Khan to G Malla, no run, 132.9 km/h full toss outside off stump. He defends
12.3
A Khan to G Malla, no run, 125.7 km/h good length just outside off stump. He plays and misses
12.3
A Khan to G Malla, Wide delivery

Four! Malla opens up to whip the full delivery through mid-wicket for four to take the partnership to 45.
12.2
A Khan to G Malla, 127.6 km/h full length on middle stump. He hits a nice boundary through mid-wicket
12.1
A Khan to P Khadka, 124.9 km/h good length just outside off stump. He picks up a single through the covers

Aziz Khan returns to the attack.
Over 12 (6 runs) NEP 76/2
P Khadka*     26* (26)
G Malla     8* (17)

11.6
N Ahmed to P Khadka. He picks up a single straight down the ground
11.5
N Ahmed to G Malla, 82.4 km/h good length going down leg. He picks up a single through the covers
11.4
N Ahmed to P Khadka, 83.7 km/h good length going down leg. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
11.3
N Ahmed to P Khadka, 87.8 km/h good length on leg stump. He picks up two through mid-wicket
11.2
N Ahmed to G Malla, 75.1 km/h short length outside off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
11.1
N Ahmed to G Malla, no run. He plays and misses
Over 11 (10 runs) NEP 70/2
P Khadka     22* (23)
G Malla*     6* (14)

Dropped! Paras Khadka doesn't read the slower one and lofts the ball straight out to long but the man doesn't set himself and the chance goes down!
10.6
N Amar to P Khadka, no run, 90.3 km/h short length on middle stump. He defends
10.5
N Amar to P Khadka, 79.9 km/h short length on off stump. He picks up two straight down the ground

Four! Khadka frees his arms and smashes the wide delivery through the covers.
10.4
N Amar to P Khadka. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
10.3
N Amar to G Malla, 89.0 km/h short length just outside off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket

Hong Kong goes up for the lbw but the ball has come off the elbow first.
10.2
N Amar to P Khadka, 1 leg bye

Najeeb Amar tries it from the other end.
10.1
N Amar to P Khadka, 90.4 km/h short length on middle stump. He picks up two through mid-wicket

Wicket! Sagar Pun falls as he tries to go aerial but hits the shot flat and picks out Haseeb Amjad at mid off who takes a diving catch!
4.4
H Amjad to S Pun, WICKET!!! S Pun is out c Waqas Barkat b Haseeb Amjad
4.3
H Amjad to S Kakurel, 123.1 km/h good length on off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
4.3
H Amjad to S Kakurel, Wide delivery
4.2
H Amjad to S Kakurel, no run, 126.9 km/h short length outside off stump. He plays and misses

Four! Kaukrel swivels to banish the short ball over mid-wicket and Nepal continues to tick.
4.1
H Amjad to S Kakurel, 122.3 km/h short length outside off stump. He hits a nice boundary through mid-wicket
Over 4 (10 runs) NEP 30/0
S Pun     13* (12)
S Kakurel*     17* (12)

3.6
N Amar to S Pun, no run, 106.0 km/h full length going down leg. Straight to the fielder
3.5
N Amar to S Pun, no run, 80.5 km/h good length just outside off stump. He goes hard at the ball, but straight to the fielder

Four! The runs continue to flow for Nepal as Kakurel lifts the ball over cover and down to the fence.
3.4
N Amar to S Pun, 93.8 km/h good length on off stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
3.3
N Amar to S Kakurel. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
3.2
N Amar to S Pun. He picks up a single

Four! It's dropped short and Pun comes down the track to crash the ball down to the long on boundary.
3.2
N Amar to S Pun. He picks up a single down to 3rd man
3.1
N Amar to S Pun, 93.3 km/h good length on off stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground

Debutant Najeeb Amar comes on.
Over 3 (7 runs) NEP 20/0
S Kakurel     16* (11)
S Pun*     4* (7)

2.6
T Afzal to S Kakurel, no run, 120.2 km/h good length on off stump. He defends

Four! Afzal throws it down short and wide and Kakurel pulls sweetly behind square leg for four.
2.5
T Afzal to S Kakurel, 125.9 km/h short length on middle stump. He hits a nice boundary down to fine leg
2.4
T Afzal to S Pun, 122.6 km/h short length on leg stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
2.3
T Afzal to S Kakurel, 123.5 km/h short length on off stump. He picks up a single through mid-wicket
2.2
T Afzal to S Pun, 125.7 km/h good length just outside off stump. He picks up a single backward of square on the off side
2.1
T Afzal to S Pun, no run, 121.9 km/h good length just outside off stump. He plays and misses
Over 2 (5 runs) NEP 13/0
S Kakurel     11* (8)
S Pun*     2* (4)

Four! Kakurel whisks the ball off the stumps and away through mid-wicket for four.
Over 2 (5 runs) NEP 13/0
S Kakurel     11* (8)
S Pun*     2* (4)

1.6
H Amjad to S Kakurel. He hits a nice boundary through mid-wicket
1.5
H Amjad to S Kakurel, no run, 129.1 km/h good length just outside off stump. He plays and misses

A sharp bit of work at mid off almost brings a run out but the pair return home just in time.
1.4
H Amjad to S Kakurel, no run, 132.2 km/h good length just outside off stump. He defends
1.3
H Amjad to S Kakurel, no run, 130.5 km/h full length outside off stump. He can't get that one off the square
1.2
H Amjad to S Pun, 130.5 km/h full length just outside off stump. He picks up a single down to 3rd man
1.1
H Amjad to S Pun, no run, 123.7 km/h good length just outside off stump. He defends

Haseeb Amjad shares the opening overs.
Over 1 (8 runs) NEP 8/0
S Kakurel     7* (4)
S Pun*     1* (2)

0.6
T Afzal to S Kakurel, no run, 125.3 km/h good length on off stump. He defends

Four! A wonderfully timed on drive from Pun brings the first boundary of the match.
0.5
T Afzal to S Kakurel, 128.5 km/h full length on off stump. He hits a nice boundary straight down the ground
0.4
T Afzal to S Kakurel, no run. He plays and misses
0.3
T Afzal to S Pun. He defends

One slip is in. The wicket is looking quite green.
0.2
T Afzal to S Pun, no run, 127.2 km/h good length on off stump. He defends
0.1
T Afzal to S Kakurel, 131.7 km/h full length on leg stump. He comes through for three through mid-wicket

It's time to kick off the second match of the opening day of WT20. Subash Kakurel and Sagar Pun will bat up top for Nepal. Tanwir Afzal will bowl the first over.

The teams step out for the anthems on a dry evening here in Chittagong.

Nepal's captain Paras Khadka thinks that the wicket shouldn't change much over the forty overs and his side are focused on amassing a big score.

At the toss, Hong Kong captain Jaime Atkinson said he chose to bowl because his side have had some good wins batting or bowling first, but they fancy chasing this evening.

Nepal: Kakurel (wk), Pun, Malla, Khadka*, Bhandari, Vesawkar, Budayair, Regmi, Gauchan, Kami, Mukhiya

Hong Kong: Barkat, I Ahmed, Atkinson* (wk), Hayat, Chapman, N Khan, Afzal, A Khan, Amar, Amjad, N Ahmed

Toss: Hong Kong wins the toss and fields

Preview: A day before the start of the ICC World Twenty20 2014, already heralded as a blockbuster by ubiquitous hoardings that welcome you at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, a contrast unique to global tournaments of this kind unfolded. In Dhaka, a flurry of interviews and press conferences lifted the curtain, with the superstars of this blockbuster taking centre stage. Players from India, Pakistan and New Zealand fronted up, even as the hosts underwent its final practice session ahead of the first match, a game in which Bangladesh will hope to spark the tournament to life with a win over Afghanistan, who beat it recently in the Asia Cup.

While Dhaka enjoyed its time as the centre of the cricketing universe, the south-eastern port city of Chottogram, better known to the Western world as Chittagong, placidly prepared for its own start of the tournament. While little or no marketing material shouts out loud about the Nepal-Hong Kong match at the Zahur Ahmed Choudhury Stadium that will follow the tournament opener on Sunday (March 16), the match will be a huge one for the two teams in question.

Cricket has been played in Hong Kong since 1866, shortly after the British introduced the game to a predominantly Chinese island. Nepal, relative newcomers to the game, having first taken up the willow up in the Himalayas in 1996, has more to prove.

Leading the Nepal brigade is Paras Khadka, who dominated the qualifying tournament with both bat and ball. “I think we are here to present Nepal cricket in front of the whole world,” said Khadka upon arrival in Bangladesh. Nepal, who lost its warm-up matches to Ireland and the United Arab Emirates, has no choice but to come hard at the opposition in the first round. “It is a great opportunity for us. It is not like we have only qualified for this tournament and worked for three months. We have been playing for ten to 12 years with hard work and playing continuous cricket. We are here to compete and play to the best of our ability. If we play to our potential, things should be good for us.”

Nepal’s enemy is its own inexperience, not merely in terms of the age of its players — none of them has yet celebrated his 30th birthday – but also in terms of appearance in major events. Having risen to the top of the qualifiers in UAE late last year, the ICC World T20 2014 is Nepal’s first appearance at a global tournament.

If there is one similarity between Nepal, a landlocked mountain kingdom, and Hong Kong, a cosmopolitan island enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea, it is the place cricket holds in the minds of the public. Although the enthusiasm for the game is undeniable among those who play it against all odds, the sport struggles to hold its own against football in both countries. Hong Kong’s players have long lamented the lack of media attention to cricket back home, and this tournament provides a chance to focus the spotlight on the game.

While Nepal have chosen to empower youth in their campaign, Hong Kong have taken the road of pragmatism, recalling two veterans in Munir Dar (41) and Najeeb Amar (42), while still retaining a core of youngsters.

Dar, who is expected to play a pivotal role with the bat, cannot bowl because of problems with his action, but this is where Najeeb comes in, with his canny left-arm spin. It will be interesting to see if Kinchit Shah, who recently turned 18, gets picked to bowl his offbreaks alongside Najeeb, for the age gap between the two – a staggering 24 years – gives fresh meaning to the cricketing cliché of blending youth and experience.

Hong Kong goes into its match against Nepal on a high, having stunned much stronger Zimbabwe and Netherlands teams in its warm-up matches.

Even as the game’s superpowers polish strategies and prime its stars, a desperate struggle is set to unfold in Chittagong. For Nepal and Hong Kong, a rare chance beckons to put their respective countries on the cricketing world map.

Welcome to the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, for Match 2 of ICC World Twenty20 2014 between Hong Kong and Nepal