|
|
|
ACC Fast Track Countries
Tournament:
UAE v Hong Kong: First-Class Cricket From Khuram Khan
 |
|
| Khuram Khan |
|
| |
|
One of the outstanding
talents at Associate Level, Khuram Khan of the UAE, was the
biggest influence on his side’s game against Hong Kong in the Fast Track/Intercontinental
double-fixture.
On a slow, turning wicket where all players struggled initially, Khuram Khan’s match-haul of 5 for 55 off 33.4 overs played their part but it was with the bat that he truly shone. He top-scored in both innings with crisp, authoritative half-centuries made with an ease and fluency that distinguished him from all the other batsmen on view.
The margin of victory for UAE belies the fact, however, that Hong Kong had the match in their grasp at 100 for 3 in their second innings. Having been bowled out for 127 in their first innings and in return bowling out the UAE for the same score, they had shown much spirit. But as ever, the greater will to win of the UAE in these situations against teams who they feel they should beat, prevailed and they turned the tide in their favour.
 |
| Ali Asad in action |
The rub of the green may have gone the UAE’s way but they were the ones pressing hardest for victory. Thanks to the pace of Ali Asad who, like any predatory fast bowler is most dangerous with the scent of fresh batsmen in his nostrils, and spinners Khuram Khan and Sameer Zia, the UAE bundled out Hong Kong for just 184 in the second innings. Ilyas Gul and Adam Gunthorpe were the only batsmen able to resist for long.
|
 |
|
Ilyas Gul |
A target of 185 posed no problems for the UAE as they cruised home by seven
wickets, Syed Maqsood and Khuram Khan the unbeaten batsmen at the end.
Hong Kong can take away a lot of positives from this match. For them the glass is definitely half-full, and in their next fixture against Nepal should be able to compete much more strongly.
Filed April 27 2005
|
|
|
|
|
