Hong Kong's hopes of WWC glory blown away
Pakistan won match 2 of the three match Women's World Cup Qualifying Asian Series vs Hong Kong by 172 runs today at the Bagh-e-Jinnah Gymkhana in Lahore, Pakistan.
20-Sep-2006
LAHORE, 19 September 2006
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Winning the toss for the second time Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz had no hesitation in batting in bright sunny conditions on a decent batting surface.
Hong Kong, needing to win the match to square the series, started promisingly with the ball. But, apart from Betty Chan who bowled her ten overs for just 41 run, as with the first match, no other HK bowler really managed to maintain sufficient control and Hong Kong's toiling bowlers conceding a hefty 72 extras in the innings, including 68 wides.
The only Pakistan wicket fell to Hong Kong captain Neisha Pratt who caught and bowled opener Taskeen Qadeer for 44. Urooj Mumtaz played a skippers innings and made her century (100 not out) off the last ball of the innings. She was ably supported by Sajida Shah who made 72 not out after having posted a half century in the first match.
Pakistan finished their innings on 288 for 1 wicket.
In reply several of Hong Kong's batters looked promising but struggled for runs against tight bowling. Captain Neisha Pratt however played a fine knock of 52 and was ably supported by Natasha Miles who made 32 for Hong Kong's best partnership of 63 runs. Hong Kong were bowled out for 116 in reply.
Pakistan captain Urooj Mumtaz was named player of the match.
"There was definite improvement in several areas of our game today following the first match, " said Hong Kong captain Neisha Pratt. "If we can get a grip of the number of extras we're conceding then I'm very hopeful of us being competitive in the final match."
"It's obviously disappointing for us to lose the series and being unable now to qualify for the World Cup. But Pakistan have proved decent opposition so far for us in our first international series and have deserved their victories. We will however be working really hard now with our players to try and eliminate some weaknesses and build on the many positives we have as a team to try and beat Pakistan in the final match," said Ms Pratt.
The final match of the series will be at the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore on 21.9.06. A crowd of up to 10,000 spectators is anticipated.
Summary Scorecard:
At Bagh-e-Jinnah Gymkhana: Pakistan 288-1 (Urooj Mumtaz 100*, Sajida Shah 72*, Taskeen Qadeer 44) beat Hong Kong 116 (Natasha Miles 32, Neisha Pratt 52; Urooj Mumtaz 3-5) by 172 runs
[ Full Scorecard ]
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Report submitted by Mark Burns, Manager Hong Kong Women's Cricket Team