ICC Intercontinental Cup, Hong Kong vs Afghanistan, Day 1: Round Up

In the ongoing ICC Intercontinental Cup at Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Afghanistan hammered Hong Kong on Day 1 of Match 24. Responding to Hong Kong’s first innings total of 142, Afghanistan took a 128-run-lead.

Hong Kong won the toss and elected to bat first. The batsmen found it too hard to face the bowling of Afganistan. As a result, the wicket-keeping opener batsman Christopher Carter was sent packing after he scored 21 runs and 6 batsmen were dismissed for single-digit scores while the rest barely managed to cross 23 runs. The highest scorer of the innings was Babar Hayat with his 47-ball 39.

Though Waqas Khan and Waqas Hayat attempted to steady the ship, they had to face the wrath of Rashid Khan and Dawlat Zadran who ruled the scorecard and the wickets column. While Rashid claimed a five-for 63, Zadran’s supporting act of 3 for 15 was a big factor in the Hong Kong side being skittled for 142 runs.

The second innings showed the importance of the bowling of Afghanistan as the runs came smoothly for them. Openers Javed Ahmadi and Ihsanullah Janat provided a blistering start that was enough to put the opposition on the back foot. Anshuman Rath provided the much-needed breakthrough as he sent Janat packing after scoring an 82-ball 63. However, the runs continued to flow from Ahmadi’s willow. Rahmat Shah then played the second fiddle as the duo tormented the Hong Kong bowlers further with a 98-run stand for second wicket. Hong Kong soon heaved a sigh of relief when Ahmadi was run out by Kyle Christie for 108 which comprised of 16 fours and 2 sixes.

Then, Rahmat and skipper Asghar Stanikzai picked up from where the openers left as they punished the Hong Kong pacers. Stanikzai brought up his fifty while Rahman played a composed knock. The both remained unbeaten on 58 and 34 respectively. By the end of the day’s play, Kyle Christie and Ehsan Khan had both leaked over 50 runs each and the wickets column had only Rath’s name on it.

Brief scores:

Hong Kong 142 all out (Babar Hayat 39, Waqas Barkat 23*; Rashid Khan 5 for 65, Dawlat Zadran 3 for 15) trail Afghanistan (Javed Ahmadi 108, Ihsanullah 63, Asghar Stanikzai 58*; Anshuman Rath 1 for 22) by 128 runs.