Zimbabwe ease past Hong Kong
Hong Kong, bolstered by the addition of Ryan Campbell, was positive of chasing down big totals. This was their opportunity to stay true to that claim but the early signs weren’t promising. Campbell, the former Australian batsmen, became the oldest T20I debutant at 44 years, and his age was beginning to show as he barely got bat to ball to the first couple of overs. At the other end, Atkinson too was having trouble adjusting to the added pace of Zimbabwe’s opening bowlers. Tiripano put and end to Campbell’s misery, and Wellington Masakadza did the same to Babar Hayat. Mark Chapman, the young Hong Kong star, came out firing with two fours and six to rush to 19. His blitz, however, lasted only so long, and then it was down to Afzal to come through for his side with 53 needed from 24 balls.
Afzal belted an unbeaten 31 from 17 balls with three fours and a six, and Atkinson came up with a useful 53 from 44 balls with four fours and a couple of sixes, but those efforts weren’t going to be enough against a side which held its nerve when it mattered most.