ACC Trophy Elite 2008 - FINAL: Hong Kong v UAE

Welcome to the commentary for the ACC Trophy Elite Final 2008 between Hong Kong and UAE News is that Khurram Khan has won the toss and chosen to bat. Looks like a good pacy deck, there's some haze and just the threat of rain in the air. UAE going for their fifth successive ACC Trophy, having won it every time since 2000. Hong Kong beaten then and in 2006, in their third Final. Hong Kong's team: Tabarak Dar (captain), Najeeb Amar, Irfan Amed, Nadeem Ahmed, Moner Ahmed, James Atkinson, Butt Hussain, Zain Abbas, Ilyas Gul, Ali Shkwat, Roy Lamsam (12th man: Shakeel Haq) UAE's team: Khurram Khan (captain), Mohammed Tauqir, Saqib Ali, Arshad Ali, Zahid Shah, Amjad Ali, Shadeep Silva, Fahad al Hashmi, Riaz Khalid, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Iqbal (12th man: Qasim Zubair) Umpires are Anisur Rehman of Pakistan and Dushantha Ekanayake of Sri Lanka. Match Referee is Rajendra Jadeja of India.

Irfan Ahmed is the bowler Mohammed Iqbal to face

Game on!
0.1	WICKET! Iqbal flashes at a wide one that bounced and is caught behind! Mohammed Iqbal – ct wk Atkinson b Irfan 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
UAE 0-1, 0.1 overs New batsman is dynamic left-hander Amjad Ali
0.2	Irfan to Amjad - played back to the bowler, no run
0.3	Irfan to Amjad - good-length ball outside off, played down to backward point for a single.
0.4	Irfan to Arshad Ali - 1 run tucked away behind point Irfan getting plenty of lift here
0.5	Irfan to Amjad - 2 runs - clipped through cover
0.6	Irfan to Amjad - FOUR - slashed through point off another shortish ball. top shot!
End of over 1 (8 runs) - UAE 8/1 Arshad Ali(RHB) 1 Amjad Ali (LHB) 7 Irfan Ahmed (RMF) 1-0-8-1 Najeeb Amar (SLA) will open from the Pavilion End at Kinrara Good move by the Hong Kong team, they know how much the UAE like to attack and they just may self-destruct here
1.1	Najeeb to Arshad - 1 run tucked away off his legs to square leg
1.2	Najeeb to Amjad - forward defensive , no run
1.3	Najeeb to Amjad - off-stump deliver, 1 run pushed to cover
1.4	Najeeb to Arshad - 2 runs - solid push through the off-side
1.5	Najeeb to Arshad - no run - forward defensive
1.6	Najeeb to Arshad - ditto 1.5
End of over 2 (4 runs) - UAE 14/1 Arshad 3, Amjad 8 Najeeb (SLA) 1-0-4-0 Irfan to continue from the Kinrara Road End
2.1	Irfan to Amjad no run
2.2	Irfan to Amjad - 1 run - length ball pushed through point for an easy single
2.3	Irfan to Arshad - no run - comes forward to a good-length ball, smothers any hint of spin or seam!
2.4	Irfan to Arshad - 1 run - pushed to mid-off for an easy single. Better length from Irfan here. Still on off-stump also
2.5	Irfan to Amjad - OUT - climbs off a length, Amjad fends, caught behind Amjad Ali – ct wk Atkinson b Irfan 9 (9b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
UAE 16-2 (2.5 overs) Saqib Ali (RHB) is the new batsman
2.6	Irfan to Saqib - no run, outside off, left alone
End of over 3 (2 runs) - UAE 16/2 Arshad Ali 5, Saqib Ali 0 Irfan Ahmed (RMF) 1-0-10-2

Najeeb Amar's next over was a wicket maiden! Arshad Ali sweeping a ball on leg-stump straight into the hands of square leg inside the circle Arshad Ali – ct Irfan b Amar 5 (10b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

End of over 4 (0 runs) - UAE 16/3 Saqib Ali 0, Khurram Khan (LHB) 0 Najeeb Amar 2-1-4-1 UAE in some trouble here. A lot rests on the shoulders fo Khurram and Saqib.
4.1	Irfan to Saqib - FOUR - Super drive through cover. Saqib accepting the invitation!
4.2	Irfan to Saqib - wide
4.2	Irfan to Saqib - No run
4.3	Irfan to Saqib - 1 run
4.4	Irfan to Khurram - 1 run
4.5	Irfan to Khurram - leg-bye
4.6	Irfan to Saqib - no run
End of over 5 (7 runs) - UAE 23/3 Saqib 5, Khurram 0 Irfan 3-0-16-2
5.1	Najeeb to Khurram - FOUR - 'carpet-drive- through midwicket. Class shot to get off the mark
5.2	Najeeb to Khurram - one run, length ball tucked away behind square for an easy single
5.3	Najeeb to Saqib - ditto to 5.2
5.4	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
5.5	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
5.5	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
5.6	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
End of over 6 (6 runs) - UAE 29/3 Saqib 6, Khurram 5 Najeeb 3-1-11-1
6.1	Irfan to Saqib - no run
6.2	Irfan to Saqib - no run
6.3	Irfan to Saqib - no run
6.4	Irfan to Saqib - no run
6.5	Irfan to Saqib - one run
6.6	Irfan to Khurram - no run
End of over 7 (1 run) - UAE 30/3 Saqib 7, Khurram 5 Irfan 4-0-17-2
7.1	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
7.2	Najeeb to Khurram - one run
7.3	Najeeb to Saqib - one run
7.4	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
7.5	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
7.6	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
End of over 8 (2 runs) - UAE 32/3 Saqib 8, Khurram 6 Irfan to continue - looking to break this potentially dangerous partnership
8.1	Irfan to Saqib - one run
8.2	Irfan to Khurram - FOUR - swung round off his hips to fine leg
8.3	Irfan to Khurram - SIX - bouncer! Khurram swats down to backwards square. What a batsman!
8.4	Irfan to Khurram - no run - order restored with a push back to the bowler
8.5	Irfan to Khurram - FOUR - super cover drive
8.6	Irfan to Khurram - no run
End of over 9 (15 runs) - UAE 47/3 Great over for UAE. Khurram showing all his class
Saqib 9, Khurram 20 Irfan 5-0-32-2
BOWLING CHANGE Tall slow-left armer Nadeem Ahmed , he of the lovely action, eplaces Najeeb Amar at the Pavilion End
9.1	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
9.2	Nadeem to Saqib - 1 run
No more runs off the over, we're not describing to save time. The game is rather running away from us slow typists!
End of over 10 (1 run) - UAE 48/3 Saqib 10, Khurram 20 Nadeem 1-0-1-0
Irfan, having taken a hammering last over is replaced by the military medium of the stocky Roy Lamsam at the Road End
10.1	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
10.2	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
10.3	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
10.4	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
10.5	Lamsam to Saqib - one run
10.6	Lamsam to Khurram - one run
End of over 11 (2 runs) - UAE 50/3 Saqib 11, Khurram 21 Lamsam (RM) 1-0-2-0 That's the UAE 50 (68 balls, 1 six, 3 fours)
11.1	Nadeem to Saqib - no run forward defensive to a ball right on the money
11.2	Nadeem to Saqib - FOUR - a shot right on the money, through square leg Nadeem just straying onto leg-stump
11.3	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
11.4	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
11.5	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
11.6	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
Good contest building between these two
End of over 12 (4 runs) - UAE 54/3 Saqib 15, Khurram 21 Nadeem 2-0-5-0
12.1	Lamsam to Khurram - wide
12.1	Lamsam to Khurram - two leg-byes
12.2	Lamsam to Khurram - no run
12.3	Lamsam to Khurram - no run
12.4	Lamsam to Khurram - one leg-bye
12.5	Lamsam to Khurram - no run
12.6	Lamsam to Khurram - one run
End of over 13 (5 runs) - UAE 59/3 Saqib 15, Khurram 22 Lamsam 1-0-4-0
13.1	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
13.2	Nadeem to Saqib - FOUR - short-ball, cut powerfully through point
13.3	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
13.4	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
13.5	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
13.6	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
End of over 14 (4 runs) - UAE 63/3 Saqib 19, Khurram 22 Nadeem 2-0-9-0
14.1	Lamsam to Khurram - no run
14.2	Lamsam to Khurram - one run - clipped to point
14.3	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
14.4	Lamsam to Saqib - FOUR - monstered through mid-wicket
14.5	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
14.6	Lamsam to Saqib - no ball FREE HIT next ball
14.6	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
Even the great Saqib, like so many other international batsmen misses out on the free hit as he swung too hard
End of over 15 (5 runs) - UAE 68/3 Saqib 23, Khurram 22 Lamsam 2-0-10-0
15.1	Nadeem to Khurram - faster, flatter - one run
15.2	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
15.3	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
15.4	Nadeem to Saqib - one run
15.5	Nadeem to Khurram - no run
15.6	Nadeem to Khurram - no run
End of over 16 (2 runs) - UAE 70/3 Saqib 24, Khurram 23 Nadeem (SLA) 3-0-11-0
16.1	Lamsam to Saqib - FOUR - half-volley spanked through cover
16.2	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
16.3	Lamsam to Saqib - no run
16.4	Lamsam to Saqib - two runs - short ball glanced down to 3rd man
16.5	Lamsam to Saqib - one run
16.6	Lamsam to Khurram - no run
End of over 17 (7 runs) - UAE 77/3 Saqib 30, Khurram 24 Lamsam 3-0-17-0
UAE rebuilding well here. Khurram and Saqib looking very comfortable
17.1	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
17.2	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
17.3	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
17.4	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
17.5	Nadeem to Saqib - no run BIG APPEAL for leg-before - not out
17.6	Nadeem to Saqib - wide
17.6	Nadeem to Saqib - no run
End of over 18 (1 run) - UAE 78/3 Saqib 30, Khurram 24 Nadeem (SLA) 4-0-12-0
BOWLING CHANGE Ilyas Gul (OB) replaces Roy Lamsam at the Kinrara Road End
	First four balls all dots (as we catch up)
18.5	Ilyas to Khurram - one run - stroked to long-on
18.6	llyas to Saqib - three runs
End of over 19 (4 run) - UAE 82/3 Saqib 33, Khurram 25 Ilyas Gul (OB) 1-0-4-0
Nadeem continues from the Pavilion End

READERS IN THE THOUSANDS - WE ARE GOING TO SKIP THE NEXT FIVE OVERS AS WE GET BACK ON TRACK WITH SCORING AND WE WILL RETURN AT THE END OF THE 25TH OVER. THANK YOU

We're back!

UAE after 25 overs are 109 for 3 Saqib 53, Khurram 30
25.1	Moner Ahmed to Khurram - no run
25.2	Moner Ahmed (SLA) to Khurram (LHB) - no run
25.3	Moner to Khurram - no run
25.4	Moner to Khurram - one run - swept down to fine leg
25.5	Moner to Saqib - one run- cheeky single
25.6	Moner to Khurram - faster ball, looking for the yorker - Khurram drives to mid-on 1 run
End of over 26 (3 runs) - UAE 113/3 Saqib 54, Khurram 32 Moner 3-0-13-0
Najeeb from the Road End
26.1	Najeeb to Khurram - rank long-hop - pulled to square leg for 4
26.2	Najeeb to Khurram - SAME AGAIN
Najeeb's offbreaks suffering here
26.3	Najeeb to Khurram - no run and for off-breaks read slow left-arm
26.4	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
26.5	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
26.6	Najeeb to Khurram - no run
End of over 27 (8 runs) - UAE 121/3 Saqib 54, Khurram 41

End of over 28 (2 runs) - UAE 123/3 Saqib 56, Khurram 41 Moner Ahmed (SLA) continues from the Pavilion End and bowls an over for two runs, scored by Saqib off the last ball down to fine leg
Najeeb (SLA) to continue
28.1	Najeeb to Khurram - FOUR - cut down to third man
28.2	Najeeb to Khurram - no run - length ball played back to the bowler
28.3	Najeeb to Khurram - one run - to midwicket
28.4	Najeeb to Saqib - one run - easy single to mid-off
28.5	Najeeb to Khurram - one run Khurram works it off his legs
28.6	Najeeb to Saqib - no run - looking for the single but cover runs in
End of over 29 (7 runs) - UAE 130/3 Saqib 57, Khurram 47 Najeeb 6-0-0-28, Moner 3-0-11-0 Moner Ahmed (SLA) to continue with his low-trajectory skidders and floaters. Khurram (LHB), wide stance, hands low on the bat to face.
Moner Ahmed to continue
29.1	Moner to Khurram - no run - played back to the bowler
29.2	Moner to Khurram - one run to square leg
29.3	Moner to Saqib - bounces in - one run - driven, a little uppishly to the sweeper on the off-side
29.4	Moner to Khurram - no run
29.5	Moner to Khurram - one run - to long-on
29.6	Moner to Saqib - no run - hit to cover
End of over 30 (3 runs) - UAE 133/3 Saqib 58, Khurram 49 Moner 3-0-14-0
Pace back on. Irfan Ahmed from the Road End
30.1	Irfan to Khurram - wide
30.1	Irfan to Khurram - no run - APPEAL - Khurram beaten for pace
30.2	Irfan to Khurram - no run - forward defensive
30.3	Irfan to Khurram - no run - back-foot defensive
30.4	Irfan to Khurram - one run - FIFTY for Khurram with an push to mid-on. Top innings.
30.5	Irfan to Saqib - no run - Saqib beaten! Fishing outside off
30.6	Irfan to Saqib - no run - length-ball outside off, left alone
End of over 31 (2 runs) - UAE 135/3 Saqib 58., Khurram 50 Irfan 6-0-34-2
31.1	Moner to Khurram - no run
31.2	Moner to Khurram - FOUR - swept powerfully in front of mid-wicket
31.3	Moner to Khurram - no run, length ball on off, played to mid-Off
31.4	Moner to Khurram - no run
31.5	Moner to Khurram - no run, slower and floated up outside off- Khurram flat-bats to point
31.6	Moner to Khurram - outside off, Khurram tries to work it through the leg-side, no contact
End of over 32 (4 runs) - UAE 139/3 Saqib 58, Khurram 54 Moner - 4-0-15-0
Pace from Irfan
32.1	Irfan to Saqib - no run, Saqib a little late and is almost leg-before, Irfan hangs his head
32.2	Irfan to Saqib - FOUR - streaky! Saqib tries to drive, gets a thick edge down to 3rd man
32.3	Irfan to Saqib - no run, defense
32.4	Irfan to Saqib - FOUR - Slashed through point. Good duel between these two
32.5	Irfan to Saqib - one run - length-ball outside off - guided down to third man
32.6	Irfan to Khurram - widespread field - no run, Khurram tries to work the ball off leg and middle, taken on the pads
End of over 33 (9 runs) - UAE 148/3 Saqib 67, Khurram 54 Irfan 7-0-37-0
Moner (SLA) continues
33.1	Moner to Saqib - no run
33.2	Moner to Saqib - forward press, no run
33.3	Moner to Saqib - ditto
33.4	Moner to Saqib - one run - quick single off the pads to mid-on
33.5	Moner to Khurram - one run - swept in front of square
33.6	Moner to Saqib - FOUR - Saqib cuts a ball that wasn't that short down to backward point. Risky but made it look so easy.
End of over 34 (6 runs) - UAE 154/3 Saqib 72, Khurram 55 Moner 5-0-21-0
Nadeem Ahmed (SLA) replaces his brother Irfan (RMF) at the Road End Widespread field
34.1	Nadeem to Khurram, one run, stroked to long-off
34.2	Nadeem to Saqib - one run, cheeky single to mid-off, had to hurry but the throw missed anyway
34.3	Nadeem to Khurram - no run
34.4	Nadeem to Khurram - two runs - !!! upper-paddle off a ball on middle right over the keeper's head
34.5	Nadeem to Khurram - no run
34.6	Nadeem to Khurram OUT - Khurram doesn't get totally on top of a cut and is well held by Zain Abbas at backward point. End of a good innings.
Khurram Khan – ct Zain Abbas b Nadeem Ahmed 56 (94b, 7x4, 0x6) SR: 59.57
End of over 35 (4 runs) - UAE 158/4 Saqib 73*, Rameez Shehzad is the new batsman Nadeem 7-0-15-1
Bowling change: Ilyas Gul (OB) replaces Moner Ahmed at the Pavilion End
35.1	Ilyas to Saqib, no run
35.2	Ilyas to Saqib, no run
35.3	Ilyas to Saqib, one run, swept fine
35.4	Ilyas to Rameez, no run
35.5	Ilyas to Rameez, no run
35.6	Ilyas to Rameez, no run
End of over 36 (1 run) - UAE 159/4 Saqib (RHB)75, Rameez (RHB) 0 Ilyas Gul (OB) 5-021-0
36.1	Nadeem to Saqib, no run
36.2	Nadeem to Saqib, one run down to third man
36.3	Nadeem to Rameez, two runs, tucked down to fine leg
36.4	Nadeem to Rameez, DROPPED, good effort by Atkinson behind the stumps running backwards off the top-edged/gloved sweep. Difficult. looping chance
36.5	Nadeem to Rameez, no run
36.6	Nadeem to Rameez, no run
End of over 37 (3 runs) - UAE 162/4 Saqib (RHB) 75* Rameez (RHB) 2* Nadeem 8-0-18-1

We take another 5 minute break. Back soon! Game is interestingly poised....

After 41 overs UAE 182 for 4 Saqib 82, Rameez 8 Nadeem finishes with 10-0-30-1

230 is par on this wicket. 250 will be very difficult for Hong Kong to chase
41.1	Ilyas Gul to Saqib, one run, off his pads down to fine leg
41.2	Ilyas to Rameez, stroked for an easy single to long on
41.3	Ilyas to Saqib, SIX, HUUUUUGE hit over long-on. First of the innings Saqib looking to accelerate to his 100
41.4	Ilyas to Saqib, one run, on a length, down to fine leg
41.5	llyas to Rameez, no run
41.6	Ilyas to Rameez, one run, looking for two to square leg but Rameez is sent back by Saqib. He wants to keep the strike
End of over 42 (10 runs) - UAE 192/4 Saqib 89, Rameez 11 Ilyas 8-1-39-0
Moner Ahmed (SLA) is back from the Road End
42.1	Moner to Shehzad, one leg-bye
42.2	Moner to Saqib, no run
42.3	Moner to Saqib, one run, down to fine-leg
42.4	Moner to Shehzad, one run, to long-on COLLISION between Saqib and Moner at the bowler's end! No chance of a two
42.5	Moner to Shehzad, no run
42.6	Moner to Shehzad, no run
End of over 43 (3 runs) UAE 195-4 Saqib 90, Shehzad 12
43.1	Najeeb to Saqib, one run, to long on
43.2	Najeeb to Shehzad, two runs, driven to long-off
43.3	Najeeb to Shehzad, one run, to fine-leg
43.4	Najeeb to Shehzad, OUT, lbw, to one that scuttled on Rameez Shehzad – lbw Najeeb Amar 12 (29b 0x4 0x6) SR: 41.37
Mohammad Tauqir (RHB) is the new batsman
43.5	Najeeb to Tauqir, no run
43.6	Najeeb to Tauqir, no run
End of over 44 (4 runs) UAE 199-5 End of over 45 (5 runs) UAE 204-5 Saqib 94, Tauqir 1
45.1	Najeeb (SLA) to Saqib, one run
45.2	Najeeb to Tauqir, no run
45.3	Najeeb to Tauqir, two runs pushed down to third man
45.4	Najeeb to Tauqir, no run
End of over 46 (8 runs) UAE 212-5

Hong Kong just pegging them back....

Moner continues
46.1	Moner to Saqib, one run, tight single to cover. Tauqir makes it
46.2	Moner to Tauqir, no run
46.3	Moner toTauqir, one run, floated up, Tauqir mistimes his drive, ball in the air a long time but falls between long-off and cover running-back
46.4	Moner to Saqib, one run, driven to long-off
46.5	Moner to Tauqir, one run, driven between point and cover
46.6	Moner to Saqib, no run
End of over 47 (4 runs) UAE 216-5 Saqib 98, Tauqir 6 Moner 10-0-35-0
47.1	Najeeb to Tauqir, FOUR, short and wide, Tauqir knows what to do
47.2	Najeeb to Tauqir, two runs, swept to fine leg's wide open space
47.3	Najeeb to Tauqir, one run, mistimed drive, cover runs back, goes through his hands
47.4	Najeeb to Saqib, one run to point. Saqib on 99 now
47.5	Najeeb to Tauqir, FOUR, short and open leg-stump, Tauqir knows what to do with them also
47.6	Najeeb to Tauqir, no run
End of over 48 (12 runs) UAE 228-5 Saqib 99, Tauqir 17 Najeeb (SLA) 9-0-53-2
Irfan RMF on from the Road End
48.1	Irfan to Saqib, one run, HUNDRED for Saqib, gets a good round of applause from the 50-strong crowd. Done with an overthrow but he'll take it nevertheless
48.2	Irfan to Tauqir, one run
48.3	Irfan to Saqib, one run
48.4	Irfan to Tauqir, one run
48.5	Irfan to Saqib, one run, cut to the cover-sweeper
48.6	Irfan to Tauqir, one run, driven to mid-wicket
End of over 49 (6 runs) UAE 234-5 Saqib 102, Tauqir 20 Najeeb to bowl the last, 12 off his last over
49.1	Najeeb to Tauqir, one run
49.2	Najeeb to Saqib, OUT, goes for the big drive, a little bit of spin gets the outside half of the bat and Moner Ahmed takes an easy catch five yards in from the boundary Saqib Ali – ct Roy Lamsam b Najeeb Amar 102 (134b 12x4 2x6) SR: 76.11
49.3	Najeeb to Tauqir, one run
Zahid Shah is the new batsman
49.4	Najeeb to Zahid, SIX, over square leg! Big hit from a big man
49.5	Najeeb to Zahid, OUT, goes for another big one, bowled swinging across the line Zahid Shah – b Najeeb Amar 6 (2b 0x4 1x6) SR: 300.00
Shadeep Silva (LHB) is the new batsman
49.6	Najeeb to Shadeep, one run, driven to mid-off inside the circle
UAE finish on 243 for 7

Excellent partnership of 144 between Khurram Khan and Saqib rescued UAE after a shaky start. The wicket showed some spin and bounce but it's an excellent track and Hong Kong with their heavy-hitters could get very very close. Irfan bowled well at the start with considerable pace to rock UAE and Moner and Nadeem kept things tight with their slow-left arm. Najeeb Amar (SLA) finished with 4-61 off his ten overs. Still, Saqib Ali's 102 off 134 balls (5 fours, 1 six) was the highlight fo the day so far.

We'll be back from Kuala Lumpur's Kinrara at 2.05 local time, about half an hour from now.


The skies have clouded over during lunch and there's a stiff breeze blowing. The Hong Kong manager's studying Duckworth/Lewis very carefully! Should be of help to the bowlers early on.... Zahid Shah (RMF) to open from the Road End He's bowling to Hong Kong's captain Tabarak Dar (RHB)
0.1	Zahid to Dar, wide, one run
0.1	Zahid to Dar, wide, one run Two wides in a row, both down the leg side
0.1	Zahid to Dar, FOUR, cuts Dar in half and the inside-edge goes past the keeper to the fine-leg boundary
0.2	Zahid to Dar, no run, forward defensive off a good-length ball
0.3	Zahid to Dar, leg bye, one run
0.4	Zahid to Irfan (RHB), no run, fullish length on the stumps, defended
0.4	Zahid to Irfan, wide, one run
0.4	Zahid to Irfan, wide, one run
0.5	Zahid to Irfan, no run, played and missed a short-ball outside off
0.6	Zahid to Irfan, FOUR, gets the shot right this time and the ball's cut away through point
End of over 1(13 runs) Hong Kong 13-0 Dar 4, Irfan 4 Zahid 1-0-12-0

And it's raining! Covers are one very fast. Players are off Rain is of the medium-to heavy drizzle kind and looks as if it willbe here for a while. Kinrara has excellent drainage so once the rain stops play should be possible half an hour later.

But right now, we're all just waiting it out. The side batting second always has a 60/40 advantage in these situations. We'll keep you updated every half-hour. For now, this is the ACC at Kinrara signing off.

2.35 The rain is easing 2.45 Still raining at Kinrara, but it is geting brighter as the lowest clouds are emptied. 2.55 The rain's stopped. The umpires are inspecting the ground. The covers have had the surplus water taken off them and should be pulled away soon. 3.10 The players are on the outfield. Umpires are still inspecting the wicket and the square now that the covers are off. 3.25 The sun is shining! The umpires and match referee still haven't finished their inspection so we don't know for sure how many overs of play will be possible. There needs to be 25 overs batting by Hong Kong to be "a match". 3.30 The umpires have returned and have said that the game can restart at 3.45. Hong Kong's revised target according to Duckworth/Lewis is off 203 off 36 overs We're back! Shadeep Silva (SLA) comes into the attack straightaway.
1.1	Shadeep to Dar, OUT, pitches on middle and would hit middle! Plumb. Dar hardly made an effort to play it. Super start for UAE. What a team and what a time to take a wicket, first ball back after the resumption. Tabarak Dar – lbw Shadeep Silva 4 (4b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Hong Kong 13-1 (1.1 overs) Need 190 more runs Najeeb Amar (LHB) is the new batsman
1.2	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, comes forward to scotch the spin
1.3	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, forward defensive to a ball on a good length
1.4	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run
1.5	Shadeep to Najeeb, FOUR, loose one from Shadeep and swung round to fine leg. Outfield is still pretty quick
1.6	Shadeep to Najeeb, FOUR, short and outside off and Najeeb on the back-foot, slashes through the off-side field
End of over 2 (8 runs) Hong Kong 21/1 – Target 203 off 36 Mohammad Tauqir (OB) is the new bowler from the Road End
2.1	Tauqir to Nadeem, FOUR, edged through slip
2.2	Tauqir to Nadeem, almost! Nadeem on the back foot, almost trapped by one that turned in
2.3	Tauqir to Nadeem, better from Nadeem, no run, played back to the bowler
2.4	Tauqir to Nadeem, OUT, worse by Nadeem, lofts a catch straight to long-on who takes it running in, waist high Nadeem Ahmed – ct Fahad Al-Hashimi b Mohammed Tauqir 8 (7b 2x4 0x6) SR: 114.28
Nadeem Ahmed c Al Hashmi b Tauqir 4 Hong Kong 25-2 (2.4 overs) James Atkinson is the new batsman
2.5	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run
2.6	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run
End of over 3 (4 runs) Hong Kong 25/2 – Target 203 off 36
3.1	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run
3.2	Shadeep to Najeeb, one run, driven past the bowler, long on collects
3.3	Shadeep to Atkinson, wide, skids past the batsman
3.3	Shadeep to Atkinson, no run
3.4	Shadeep to Atkinson, one run, easy single to long-off
3.5	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, good ball, good forward defense
3.6	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run
End of over 4 (3 runs) Hong Kong 28/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 9, Atkinson 1
4.1	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run
4.2	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run, played back to the bowler
4.3	no run, quicker from Tauqir, Atkinson on the back foot hits the ball to cover
4.4	Tauqir to Atkinson, one run, driven to mid-off
4.5	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, comes forward and just drops the ball at his feet
4.6	Tauqir to Najeeb, two runs, good shot, driven sweetly through midwicket
End of over 5 (3 runs) Hong Kong 31/2 – Target 203 off 36
5.1	Shadeep to Atkinson, no run, BIG APPEAL though for lbw
5.2	Shadeep to Atkinson, one run, good straight drive past the bowler
5.3	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, plenty of flight from Shadeep
5.4	Shadeep to Najeeb, SIX, sweet, sweet, sweet, over midwicket for a big one
5.5	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, faster and flatter
5.6	Shadeep to Najeeb, no run
End of over 6 (7 runs) Hong Kong 38/2 – Target 203 off 36
6.1	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run
6.2	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run, stifled appeal for lbw
6.3	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run
6.4	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run
6.5	Tauqir to Atkinson, no run, straight back to the bowler
6.6	Tauqir to Atkinson, FOUR, cut savagely behind square. Good shot off ball that was short but not far outside off
End of over 7 (4 runs) Hong Kong 42/2 – Target 203 off 36 Hong Kong 42-2, Najeeb 17, Atkinson 7 Hong Kong need 161 off 28 overs at 5.75 runs an over
PACE from the Pavilion End with Zahid Shah Shadeep's spell 3-0-18-1
7.1	Zahid (RMF) to Najeeb (SLA), one run, soft hands to drop the loosener down to third man
7.2	Zahid to Atkinson, no run, tasty lifter from Zahid, climbing off a length, Atkinson takes his bottom hand off the bat and plays it down well
7.3	Zahid to Atkinson, no run, driven off the back-foot to point
7.4	Zahid to Atkinson, one run, good cricket from Atkinson, rose with the rising ball and times it sweetly to the cover-sweeper
7.5	Zahid to Najeeb, no run, big appeal for lbw as the ball kept low but always going away with the angle to the left-hander
7.6	Zahid to Najeeb, one run, down to third man
End of over 8 (3 runs) Hong Kong 45/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 19, Atkinson 8
8.1	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
8.2	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
8.3	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
8.4	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, it's been Najeeb plopping forward to every delivery so far
8.5	Tauqir to Najeeb, SIX, swept over square leg. Awesome!
8.6	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, easily played back to the bowler
End of over 9 (6 runs) Hong Kong 51/2 – Target 203 off 36
9.1	Zahid to Atkinson, one run, hit over cover
9.2	Zahid to Najeeb, no run
9.3	Zahid to Najeeb, one run, to deep point
9.4	Zahid to Atkinson, one run, down to third man
Zahid bowling just a little too short to Atkinson here, who's handling it well
9.5	Zahid to Najeeb, no run, heave to a ball outside off, looking for the leg-side, no contact
9.6	Zahid to Najeeb, no run, played to point
End of over 10 (3 runs) Hong 54/2 – Target 203 off 36 Hong Kong 54-2 Target 203 off 35, theyneed 149 off 25 at 5.98 an over
10.1	Tauqir to Atkinson, one run, driven conmfortably to long-on for a strolled single
10.2	Tauqir (OB) to Najeeb (LHB), no run
10.3	Tauqir to Najeeb, FOUR, crafty, fine sweep
10.4	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, big heave, and almost stumped
10.5	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, big appeal for lbw Umpire Ekanayake unmoved
10.6	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
End of over 11 (5 runs) Hong 59/2 ? Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 30, Atkinson 11 Atkinson's getting quite the chat from the UAE as those consummate (yet immaculate) street-fighters try to upset his concentration. The young man's doing well so far for Hong Kong. Zahid 3-0-18-0
Khurram Khan (SLA) comes in to the attack from the Pavilion End
11.1	Khurram to Atkinson (RHB), one run
11.2	Khurram to Najeeb, no run
11.3	Khurram to Najeeb, one run
11.4	Khurram to Atkinson, no run
11.5	Khurram to Atkinson, one run
11.6	Khurram to Najeeb, no run
End of over 12 (3 runs) Hong 62/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 31, Atkinson 13 Zahid Shah comes back from the Road End Tauqir 5-0-22-1
Still a relatively attacking field from Khurram, just two on the boundary at fine-leg and third man
12.1	Zahid to Atkinson, no run
12.2	Zahid to Atkinson, one run, squirted off the edge to point
12.3	Zahid to Najeeb, one run, driven firmly off the front-foot to mid-off who can't stop cleanly
12.4	Zahid to Atkinson, no run
12.5	Zahid to Atkinson, no run, tried to work a fullish delivery away to leg, taken on the pad
12.6	Zahid to Atkinson, no run
End of over 13 (2 runs) Hong 64/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 32, Atkinson 14 Tauqir resumes from the Pavilion End
13.1	Tauqir to Najeeb, one run, to backward square from a faster, flatter delivery
13.2	Tauqir (OB) to Atkinson (RHB), no run, beaten in the flight, miscues off the inside half of the bat to mid-on
13.3	Tauqir to Atkinson, one run, worked through square leg
13.4	Tauqir to Najeeb (LHB), no run, faster delivery. played back down the ground
13.5	Tauqir to Najeeb, SIX, monstered over midwicket
13.6	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
End of over 14 (8 runs) Hong 72/2 – Target 203 off 36 Target 203 off 35, they need 131 off 21 at 6.2 an over
14.1	Zahid to Atkinson, one run, squirted down to third man
14.2	Zahid (RMF) to Najeeb (LHB), FOUR, punched past mid-off
14.3	Zahid to Najeeb, one run, takes a quick single to the fielder on the edge of the 30-yard circle
14.4	Zahid to Atkinson, one run, off an overthrow after being initially sent back by Najeeb
UAE just on the back foot at the moment
14.5	Zahid to Najeeb, FOUR, inside/bottom edge to fine leg. Bowler disconsolate. Najeeb'll take the runs though
14.6	Zahid to Najeeb, cheeky single to mid-off. Pinches the strike
End of over 15 (12 runs) Hong 84/2 – Target 203 off 36
15.1	Khurram (SLA) to Najeeb (LHB), one run to mid-on. 50 for Najeeb
15.2	Khurram to Atkinson, WIDE
15.2	Khurram to Atkinson, DROPPED,one run, top-edged drive went high to mid-on Zahid Shah who dropped the slippery ball
15.3	Khurram to Najeeb, one run
15.4	Khurram to Atkinson, two runs paddled down to fine leg
15.5	Khurram to Atkinson, no run
15.6	Khurram to Atkinson, no run attempted sweep
Could be a big miss that by the UAE. This partnership's looking very good for Hong Kong
End of over 16 (6 runs) Hong 90/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 51, Atkinson 20 Arshad Ali (LB) comes on from the Road End
16.1	Arshad to Najeeb, one run
16.2	Arshad to Atkinson, no run, full delivery played to mid-on
16.3	Arshad to Atkinson, no run, beaten by the leggie
16.4	Arshad to Atkinson, one run, comes out to drive, played to mid-off
16.5	Arshad to Najeeb, no run, play and miss
16.6	Arshad to Najeeb, one run, swept to the leg-side sweeper
End of over 17 (3 runs) Hong 93/2 – Target 203 off 36 Khurram back on
17.1	Khurram to Najeeb, no run
17.2	Khurram to Najeeb, two runs, swept to square leg
17.3	Khurram to Najeeb, wide
17.3	Khurram to Najeeb, one run, good stroke down to long on
17.4	Khurram to Atkinson, wide
17.4	Khurram to Atkinson, wide Khurram looking for the genius ball that spins into the stumps, batsman take two also
17.4	Khurram to Atkinson, no run
17.5	Khurram to Atkinson, one run
17.6	Khurram to Najeeb, 2 runs
End of over 18 (10 runs) Hong 103/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 57, Atkinson 22 Hong Kong 103-2 after 18 overs Target 203 off 35, they need 100 off 17 at 5. 87 an over Drinks are being taken on the field Arshad resumes from the Road End. Made things happen in his last over, he does get wickets and is hard to attack
18.1	Arshad (LB) to Najeeb (LHB), no run
18.2	Arshad to Najeeb, FOUR, gorgeous cut down to third man, beats two fielders
18.3	Arshad to Najeeb, wide, tries to tempt him into an indiscretion with a similar ball but it's too wide
18.3	Arshad to Najeeb, one run, easy single into the off-side
18.4	Arshad to Atkinson, one run, full-toss, driven to long-off
18.5	Arshad to Najeeb, no run, the top-spinner not read by Najeeb but he gets bat on it
18.6	Arshad to Najeeb, one run, driven to long-off and pinches the strike
End of over 19 (8 runs) Hong 111/2 – Target 203 off 36 NEW BOWLER Saqib Ali (LB) on from the Pavilion End
19.1	Saqib to Najeeb, no run, quick delivery worked to square leg
19.2	Saqib to Najeeb, no run
19.3	Saqib to Najeeb, no run, hit hard back to the bowler
19.4	Saqib to Najeeb, no run, sharp bounce
19.5	Saqib to Najeeb, no run
19.6	Saqib to Najeeb, SIX, Najeeb loves that mid-wicket corner near his team's dressing-room!
End of over 20 (6 runs) Hong 117/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 69, Atkinson 23 Partnership of 92 so far Fahad Al Hashmi (RMF) comes on from the Road End
20.1	Fahad to Atkinson, one run, lofted over the infield cover-sweeper collects
20.2	Fahad to Najeeb, one run
20.3	Fahad to Atkinson, one run
20.4	Fahad to Najeeb, no run
20.5	Fahad to Najeeb, no run
20.6	Fahad to Najeeb, three runs, super shot, hit on the up through mid-off
End of over 21 (6 runs) Hong 123/2 – Target 203 off 36 They're up with rate! Riaz Khalid (OB) on from the Pavilin End as Khurram tries to ring all the changes. He's dangerous but can be eratic.
21.1	Riaz to Najeeb, no run
21.2	Riaz to Najeeb, two runs, swept fine
21.3	Riaz to Najeeb, FOUR, late cut
21.4	Riaz to Najeeb, SIX, Najeeb's corner
21.5	Riaz to Najeeb, FOUR,blasted through mid-off
21.6	Riaz to Najeeb, one run, pinches the strike as usual!.
End of over 22 (16 runs) Hong 139/2 – Target 203 off 36 Najeeb 89, Atkinson 24 These two sail past the 100-partnership Hong Kong 145-2 Tauqir (OB) is back
22.1	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
22.2	Tauqir to Najeeb, SIX, in the air a long time but it's mid-wicket again!
22.3	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
22.4	Tauqir to Najeeb, FOUR, all run! Driven to long-on and one for the overthrow UAE run raged here
22.5	Tauqir to Najeeb, no run
22.6	Tauqir to Najeeb, speared in to of-stump. one run, and the pinched strike as usual! 100 for Najeeb. He raises his arms as he makes his way down the track. Super innings. Applauded warmly by all Najeeb turns past the umpire and kneels to kiss the ground. Kinrara’s been good to him and Saqib Ali today.
UAE captain Khurram back on. He has to do something for his team.
End of over 23 (11 runs) Hong 150/2 – Target 203 off 36. It'll be the biggest choke in ACC history if they lose from here. Still, there's Khurram....
23.1	Khurram to Najeeb, OUT, lbw! Najeeb plays across the line looking to paddle the ball square, ball kept a bit low and umpire Rehman has no hesitation in lifting his finger Khurram's got the big wicket! UAE back in the game! Najeeb Amar – lbw Khurram Khan 100 (80b 9x4 6x6) SR: 125.00
As Najeeb walks off fellow centurion Saqib shakes his hand. Good gesture and good feeling between the teams. Butt Hussain (RHB) is the new batsman
23.2	Khurram to Butt, one run
23.3	Khurram to Atkinson, one run
23.4	Khurram to Butt, no run
23.5	Khurram to Butt, one run
23.6	Khurram to Atkinson, one run, driven to midwicket
UAE have a chance now. Najeeb was taking the match away from them
End of over 24 (4 runs) Hong 154/3 – 49 wanted off 12 overs Shadeep Silva (SLA) back on from the Road End
24.1	Shadeep to Atkinson, no run
24.2	Shadeep to Atkinson, OUT!, lbw to a fizzer. two wickets in two overs and UAE ARE RIGHT BACK IN IT. James Atkinson – lbw Shadeep Silva 26 (52b 1x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
James Atkinson lbw Shadeep Silva 36 Zain Abbas (RHB) is the new batsman
24.3	Shadeep to Zain, OUT!!!!, lbw playing forward. Umpire Ekanayake says Zain has to go. WOW! What a game! Zain Abbas – lbw Shadeep Silva 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: -
Zain Abbas lbw Shadeep Silva 0 Hat-trick ball coming up Irfan Ahmed (RHB) is the new batsman
24.4	Shadeep to Irfan, no run, hat-trick averted with a broad bat down the track
24.5	Shadeep to Irfan, one run
24.6	Shadeep to Butt, one run
End of over 25 (2 runs) Hong 156/5 – 47 off 11 is the equation Two big hitters at the crease for Hong Kong. two good bowlers on song for UAE. Anything could happen!
25.1	Khurram to Butt, no run
25.2	Khurram to Butt, one run
25.3	Khurram to Irfan, no run
25.4	Khurram to Irfan, no run
25.5	Khurram to Irfan, SIX, flat skimmer of immense power hit back over the bowler's head
25.6	Khurram to Irfan, no run
End of over 26 (7 runs) Hong 163/5 – 40 required from 10 overs
26.1	Shadeep to Butt, no run
26.2	Shadeep to Butt, no run
26.3	Shadeep to Butt, no run
26.4	Shadeep to Butt, FOUR, shimmies down the track and plays inside-out to find the boundary
26.5	Shadeep to Butt, no run
26.6	Shadeep to Butt, no run
End of over 27 (4 runs) Hong 167/5
27.1	Khurram to Irfan, no run
27.2	Khurram to Irfan, no run. ball squirts off the face but not near a fielder Widespread field
27.3	Khurram to Irfan, one run, to mid-on
27.4	Khurram to Butt, no run
27.5	Khurram to Butt, one run, down to long-off
27.6	Khurram to Irfan, OUT! Stumped by Amjad Ali, Irfan came charging out and missed tbe ball completely Irfan Ahmed – st wk Amjad Ali b Khurram Khan 8 (10b 0x4 1x6) SR: 80.00
End of over 28 (2 runs) Hong 169/6 7.
28.1	Shadeep to Butt, no run
28.2	Shadeep to Butt, no run
28.3	Shadeep to Butt, leg-bye
28.4	Shadeep to Moner, no run
28.5	Shadeep to Moner, no run
28.6	Shadeep to Moner, SIX, down on one knee and smashed over mid-wicket
End of over 29 (7 runs) Hong 176/6. 27 needed off 7 at 3.85 an over. UAE need 4 wickets
29.1	Khuram to Butt, no run
29.2	Khuram to Butt, one run
29.3	Khuram to Moner, two runs, crafty late cut to backward point
29.4	Khurram to Moner, one run
29.5	Khurram to Butt, one run
29.6	Khurram to Moner, no run, going for the biggie, doesn't connect
End of over 30 (5 runs) Hong Kong are 181/6
30.1	Shadeep to Butt, one run
30.2	Shadeep to Moner,. two runs to cover
30.3	Shadeep to Moner, FOUR, Reverse Sweep! Crazy shot. crazy guy!
30.4	Shadeep to Moner, one run, quick single to square leg
30.5	Shadeep to Butt, one run. quick single, had to hurry, collides with the bowler at his end
30.6	Shadeep to Moner, no run
End of over 31 (9 runs) Hong Kong 190/6, need 13 runs off 5 overs. UAE need 4 wickets Shadeep Silva 7-0-39-3.
31.1	Khurram to Butt, no run
31.2	Khurram to Butt, one run to backward point
31.3	Khurram to Moner, one run, on one knee and connects but not cleanly
31.4	Khurram to Butt, no run
31.5	Khurram to Butt, no run, Butt well forward, takes it on the pad
31.6	Khurram to Butt, one run, comes down the wicket and goes on the ground to long-on Khurram Khan - 7-0-40-2
End of over 32 (3 runs) Hong Kong 193/6, need 10 off 4 overs Riaz Khalid back on. Anything can still happen!
32.1	Riaz to Butt, two runs, improvised flicked over the keeper
32.2	Riaz to Butt, no run, beaten by one that spins and bounces!
32.3	Riaz to Butt, one run, booming drive attempted, mistimed to mid-on
32.4	Riaz to Moner, OUT! Reverse Sweep attempted. Leg-stump connected. Crazy shot from still a crazy guy! UAE back in with a chance!! Moner Ahmed – b Riaz Khalid 17 (12b 1x4 1x6) SR: 141.66
Shkwat Ali (RHB) is the new batsman
32.5	Riaz to Ali, no run, beaten outside off
32.6	Riaz to Ali, no run, worked square, looks for the single, sent back by Butt
End of over 33 (3 runs) Hong Kong 196/7, need 7 off 3 overs. UAE need 3 wickets Much talk amongst the UAE seniors Zahid Shah (RMF) is brought back on, from the Pavilion End. He looks awfully stiff as he marks out his run-up. 3 wickets between UAE and their first year without an ACC Trophy since 2000. Still a chance for them.
33.1	Zahid to Butt, no run, good ball! Right on the stumps, Butt defends
33.2	Zahid to Butt, two runs. Driven square, two fielders converge.
33.3	Zahid to Butt, two runs, good ball, good on-drive
33.4	Zahid to Butt, no run, big appeal for lbw as the ball kept low
One shot between Hong Kong and glory
33.5	Zahid to Butt, one run, driven to long-on 2 runs wanted
33.6	Zahid to Ali, no run, good ball and better forward defensive
Two wanted.
34.1	Riaz to Butt, FOUR, that's it! A full-toss smacked through mid-wicket

UAE bitterly disappointed and Hong Kong, drained by the tension, barely find the strength to celebrate You've got to play at your max to beat UAE, that Hong Kong did today.

The revised target no doubt helped them somewhat but Hong Kong took everything UAE could give them and they are worthy champions of the ACC Trophy Elite 2008.

Thank you for logging on, until next time, this is the ACC from Kinrara.

UAE: 243 for 7 off 50 overs Hong Kong: 205 for 7 after 34.1 overs (D/L target 203 off 36 overs) Hong Kong win by three wickets (D/L method)