Hayat, bowlers seal comprehensive win for Hong Kong

A captain's knock from Babar Hayat (77 off 95 balls), backed up by disciplined bowling from Nadeem Ahmed and Anshuman Rath, guided Hong Kong to an emphatic 106-run win against Papua New Guinea in the first One-Day International in Mong Kok.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Hayat's knock and contributions from Nizakat Khan (45), Tanwir Afzal (47) and Aizaz Khan (44) helped Hong Kong reach 269 all out in 49.4 overs.

Afzal, carrying on the good work with the ball, then provided the first breakthrough, dismissing Vani Morea before Nadeem removed Tony Ura to leave PNG in trouble at 17 for 2.

Lega Siaka (36) and Assad Vala (43), the PNG captain, then came together and added 83 runs to steady the side. Vala, unlike his counterpart, couldn't carry on and once he fell to Ehsan Khan, the innings began to unravel. Rath and Nadeem Ahmed were the pick of the bowlers, picking 3 for 22 and 3 for 38 respectively, as PNG was bowled out in 38.2 overs.

Hong Kong lost both its openers cheaply, but Nizakhat, coming in at No. 3, managed to hold up one end. He took most of the strike thereafter and got the side past 100.

However, his wicket, a delivery by Mahuru Dai knocking over his stumps, triggered a mini-collapse as Hong Kong lost four wickets in the space of 4.4 overs to slip to 111 for 6.

Hayat stood firm at the other end as wickets tumbled, and eventually found good support in the form of Afzal and Aizaz to stage a recovery. The seventh-wicket stand yielded 60 runs at seven an over, while the eight-wicket stand brought 72 more runs at a similar pace.

Once Hayat perished to Willie Gavera, Chad Soper mopped up the tail quickly to finish with 3 for 39, while Dai, who struck crucial blows, took 3 for 58. But, by then, Hayat had done enough to take Hong Kong to a match-winning total.

The teams will meet again for the second ODI at the same venue on November 6.