Oman set up semifinal clash with Nepal Oman’s young, home-grown cricket team faced a significant setback in their final Group B fixture of the Men’s T20I Asian Games Qualifier, losing to Hong Kong by 154 runs at the Singapore National Cricket Ground on Friday. Despite the defeat, Oman secured their place in the semifinals, having previously defeated Singapore and Bahrain to claim a historic Asian Games berth. The team will now prepare for a high-stakes semifinal against tournament favorites Nepal on June 7. Oman’s captain, Sufyan Mehmood, opted to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that proved costly. Hong Kong delivered a dominant batting performance, amassing 287 for 1 in 20 overs. Opener Anshuman Rath led the charge with an unbeaten 140 off 56 balls, including 13 fours and 10 sixes, at a strike rate of 250. He formed a 192-run partnership with skipper Nizakat Khan, who scored 76 from 45 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes. Oman’s breakthrough came in the 15th over when Naveed al Balushi dismissed Nizakat, but the respite was short-lived. Babar Hayat then launched a late assault, scoring an unbeaten 63 from 19 balls, with seven fours and five sixes, to help Hong Kong reach their imposing total. In the chase, Oman struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Their batting line-up faltered under pressure, and they were dismantled by Hong Kong’s disciplined attack. Off-spinner Ehsan Khan was the standout performer, claiming 4 wickets for 12 runs in four overs. Oman’s batters showed some resilience, with Zubair al Balushi scoring 40 off 23 balls, including five fours and two sixes, and wicketkeeper Muzaffar Shiralkar contributing 36 from 26 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six. Oman eventually ended the innings at 133 for 8. The match also marked the T20I debuts of Munthir al Balushi and Faris al Balushi.#nepal #oman #hong_kong #nizakat_khan #anshuman_rath
Hong Kong cricketers have ‘transformational’ chance after sealing Asian Games spot Hong Kong’s cricket team secured a place in the 10-team Asian Games tournament in Nagoya, Japan, after defeating Singapore in a dominant display. The victory, combined with an earlier eight-wicket win over Bahrain, ensured their qualification for the prestigious event. The win over Singapore, which saw Hong Kong chase a modest target of 62 runs with ease, marked a significant step forward for the city’s cricketing ambitions. In the match against Singapore, Hong Kong’s bowlers dismantled the opposition’s innings, with opener Nizakat Khan losing his wicket early. The team eventually sealed the victory by nine wickets in 12.3 overs, showcasing their attacking prowess. This result followed their earlier crushing win over Bahrain, where they chased down 174 runs with a display of ruthless efficiency. Coach Kaushal Silva highlighted the importance of the qualification, emphasizing that access to advanced training facilities—such as high-end gym equipment, physiotherapy, ice baths, and saunas—would enhance the players’ physical and mental capacity. He noted that such resources would allow for daily training and recovery, potentially transforming their performance. Key performances from the Hong Kong squad were instrumental in securing the victory. Leg spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar delivered a standout display, taking three wickets for six runs in three overs. Ayush Shukla and Hassan Khan Mohammad each claimed two wickets, contributing to the team’s dominance over Singapore. Anshy Rath’s quick-fire unbeaten 32 off 6.3 overs ensured a swift victory, while Babar Hayat’s earlier heroics against Bahrain—scoring an unbeaten 93 from 48 balls—underscored the team’s attacking mindset.#hong_kong #nagoya_japan #nizakat_khan #kaushal_silva #mohammad_ghazanfar
