Hong Kong Stun Afghanistan To Clinch ACC U-19 Elite Cup
Qualify For ICC U-19 World Cup

Hong Kong pulled off a stunning victory over Afghanistan in the finals of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup Cricket Tournament on Friday at the KOC Ahmadi cricket grounds. Watched by thousands of Afghan supporters the Afghanistan team crashed to a shocking 8 wicket defeat as Hong Kong finally showed their real class which was always in them but never so distinct as displayed in the grand finale. The toss was won by Hong Kong on the warm, sunny Friday morning and they decided to field first. Hong Kong duly capitalized on their decision with morning conditions favoring their seamers reducing Afghanistan 21 for in the 7 th over.

However once again their most reliable batsman Asghar Hotak came to the rescue and together with Zard Ali restored the Afghan innings to take them to 215 for 9 in 15 overs. Asghar scored 70 valuable runs with 5 fours and Zard Ali contributed 68 with 7 boundaries. Hong Kong’s success in restricting Afghanistan was mainly through their three bowlers Aizaz Khan (3/26), Niaz Ali (3/34) and Nizakat (3/44).

The opening stand was worth 121 runs when Afghanistan finally got the breakthrough. Shakel Haq scored a fantastic 51 with 6 fours. There was no respite for Afghanistan as Nizakat continued the job with his captain slowly inching towards the target. The crowd cheered the Afghan team on and finally they got the danger man captain of Hong Kong team with Hong Kong still needing 36 runs for a victory. James was unlucky to miss a well deserved century scoring 94 of 114 balls with 10 boundaries.

Finally Hong Kong put all hopes of a twist of fortunes for Afghanistan to rest pulling off a sensational victory with a few overs to spare. Nizakat was not out with 46 that included 3 fours and a big six and Irfan, 17 with 2 fours. The grand presentation ceremony was attended by the ICC Chief Executive Mr Haroon Lorgat, President of PCB and ACC Mr Ejaz Butt, ACC Chief Executive Syed Ashraf Ul Haq, and ACC Development Manager Bandula Warnapura. Kuwait Cricket Board General Secretary and Treasurer Mr Haider Farman, board member Yusuf Bash, and Kuwait Cricket Council chief executive Jeff De Lange along with many other dignitaries and officials including Ambassadors from the participating teams. Sri Lankan Airlines played a prominent role in promoting this tournament as the primary sponsor. The winners and runners up trophy was presented by Mr Butt, Mr Lorgat and Mr Lalith Parera, sales manager Sri Lankan Airlines to Hong Kong captain James Atkinson and Afghanistan captain Shir Shirzai respectively.

Kuwait Cricket have very much enjoyed hosting the tournament, it is always a pleasure to be part of a an ACC and ICC event and these U-19 cricketers have really played well. Especially today when the cricketers, the crowd and all the visiting officials including the ACC and ICC Chief Executives and ACC President made it a very memorable day.
We look forward to having more tournaments in our grounds in the years ahead.