Scotland v Hong Kong, 2nd ODI, Edinburgh - Preview
Following the disappointment of the first One-Day International ending without result, Scotland and Hong Kong will be keen to establish supremacy by winning the second and final match at the same venue in Edinburgh on Saturday (September 10).
The first ODI on Thursday suffered a heavily delayed start owing to rain. The match was reduced to a 20-overs-a-side affair. Scotland put up 153 for 6 on the board, and with the visitors at 136 for 4 in 18 overs, the match was in delicate balance.
However, instead of a thrilling climax, the match was called off at that stage due to poor light. A winner couldn't be decided based on the Duckworth-Lewis rules as both sides needed to play a minimum of 20 overs, but there was enough evidence on display that pointed to Scotland and Hong Kong being closely matched.
Thus, the second match becomes even more exciting. The prospect of obtaining a full match is high, if the forecast reports are anything to go by.
Kyle Coetzer, the opener, was the star performer for Scotland on Thursday, scoring 53 off just 30 balls. His exploits helped the side pile 96 runs for the loss on only two wickets at the end of the ninth over.
However, the manner in which Hong Kong turned the tide was admirable. Coetzer was dismissed by Ehsan Khan, making his debut, in the 10th over, and Scotland were unable to score freely thereafter.
A middle-order failure saw the home side slip to 102 for 5. As a result, it was forced onto the defensive and couldn't cash in on the early advantage provided by Coetzer and other top-order batsmen.
Hong Kong's innings followed a similar pattern. Nizakat Khan, the opener, smashed a 26-ball 43 and staged a brisk 59-run opening stand with Aizaz Khan (12 off 16).
The openers were later both knocked over by Con de Lange, the left-arm spinner, in a space of a few balls. Babar Hayat (26 off 28) and Anshuman Rath (32 off 28) then steadied things for Hong Kong, but there was another twist with the duo being dismissed off successive balls.
Mark Watt, the debutant, removed Hayat, and Rath was run out the next ball. Unfortunately, the game was called off a short while later.
Prior to this, Hong Kong beat Ireland 1-0 in a two match Twenty20 International series. The Asian side has improved dramatically in limited-overs cricket. Scotland itself is in fine form, having convincingly beaten UAE in two World Cricket League games in August.
Squads:
Scotland: Preston Mommsen (capt), Kyle Coetzer, Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Alasdair Evans, Safyaan Sharif, Con de Lange, Craig Wallace, Chris Sole, Gavin Main.
Hong Kong: Babar Hayat (capt), Aizaz Khan, Tanwir Afzal, Nadeem Ahmed, Tanveer Ahmed, Chris Carter (wk), Ehsan Khan, Nizakat Khan, Waqas Khan, Adil Mehmood, Ehsan Nawaz, Anshuman Rath, Ninad Shah, Shahid Wasif.
