17 August 2006

HONG KONG HAMMERS MYANMAR

Tim Smart Rahul Sharma Hussain Butt

Hong Kong v Myanmar at Selangor Turf Club

HONG KONG WON BY 422 WICKETS

Hong Kong won a one-sided contest against Myanmar at the Selangor Turf Club by 420 runs.

Normally, Hong Kong may have felt playing Myanmar was a pointless exercise but it was useful on this occasion on two counts.“We don’t get to play too much on grounds this size, let alone on grass so it was actually good to get our batsman used to the conditions,” said Hong Kong coach Lal Jayasinghe. “What was very pleasing was that we had large partnerships, ran very well between the wickets and were very positive. To be fair, Myanmar aren’t a great side but they will have learnt a lot from being up against some first-rate cricketers,” he continued.

Myanmar tried hard in the field, but their bowling hasn’t come along as much as their batting though being rattled out for 20 didn’t show them off too well. Against the pace and bounce of Afzaal Haider, who had Omer caught, fending off a rib-tickler to square leg off the first ball of the innings and, radically, left-arm spinner Najeeb Amar, Myanmar had no answer.

Afzaal Haider Myanmar'a batsmen make a subtle run.

Myanmar play under the banner: 'Playing Cricket is to Achieve Subtle Supremacy'. This was Myanmar's second ever international. "It's not about winning or losing at the moment," said Myanmar's coach Nazmul Abedeen, "it's about learning what is necessary." They were handed a harsh lesson by a team of seasoned semi-pros and thrusting youngsters who themselves are looking for supremacy.

GROUP C
Hong Kong v Myanmar at Selangor Turf Club
HONG KONG WON BY 422 WICKETS
Toss: Myanmar
Hong Kong: 442 for 3 in 50 overs (I. Ahmed 86, T. Smart 100, R. Sharma 123, H. Butt 108*)
Myanmar: 20 all out in 12.3 overs (N. Amar 6-2)
Man of the Match: Rahul Sharma (Hong Kong)

Points: Hong Kong 2, Myanmar 0