Hong Kong pull off shock win over All-Stars

Hong Kong pulled off a major shock on the first morning of the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on Saturday (8 November) with a sensational victory over the world-famous All-Stars.

The hosts powered to a five-wicket success to leave the All-Stars facing a struggle to qualify for Sunday’s Cup stage.

Hong Kong’s display delighted fans at the showpiece tournament being held at Kowloon Cricket Club.

The home team’s heroes were Irfan Ahmed with 36 not out and Najeeb Amar with 31 not out - both players retiring on reaching 31 in line with tournament rules.

“The boys played really well,” said captain Manoj Cheruperambil. “The batting was extremely good, we had two guys retire, so they did a really good job.

“It’s sixes so you always have a chance. You just go out there and try to take a couple of wickets and hopefully it goes your way.”

Hong Kong lost their opening Sobers Group encounter against Australia by four wickets but were inspired against the All-Stars.

Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya (6), former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming (0) and South African allrounder Tyron Henderson (9) were all dismissed cheaply.

Only former Australia opener Justin Langer made an impact with 33 not out as the All-Stars struggled to 73 for 3.

Irfan and Najeeb led Hong Kong’s reply as the home team reached 77 for 1 with five balls to spare despite facing an All-Stars bowling attack that included England’s Matthew Hoggard and Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Vaas..

In the Bradman Group, England made a strong start with a 21-run success over the India Sixers.

Captain Dimitri Mascarenhas hit 33 as England made 79 for 5 before they restricted the India Sixers to 58 for 4.

“We know we’ve got a tough group so it was very important to get the first win under our belts,” said Mascarenhas.

“We think our bowling is our strength. Our last three bowlers especially [Darren Maddy, Graham Napier and Tim Bresnan] can do a really good job - the last two overs went for just three and seven.”

Eight teams are taking part in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.

England, South Africa, Pakistan and the India Sixers are contesting the Bradman Group.

The Sobers Group features the All-Stars, Hong Kong, Australia and defending champions Sri Lanka.

The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes is fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and is the sport’s longest-running, best-established and most high-profile sixes Players who have taken part over the past 16 years include Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve and Mark Waugh, Viv Richards, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Gilchrist and Wasim Akram.

The tournament is organised and promoted by the Hong Kong Cricket Association’s commercial arm, China Cricket International Limited.