Hong Kong beat Sri Lanka in the opener
Santhosh S - 10 November 2001
Hong Kong beat the much experienced Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the
opening match of the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Hong Kong
Cricket Sixes 2001 being played at Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong,
on Saturday. Stuart Brew won the toss and elected to bat first. Hong
Kong got off to an explosive start with 24 runs coming off the first
over bowled by Dulip Liyanage; Brew scoring 20 of those runs with the
help of three fours and a mighty six. Upashanta too was punished by
Hussain Butt, a four through mid-wicket and a huge six over square leg
off the first two deliveries.
Upul Chandana gave Sri lanka the much needed break, claiming both the
openers. Brew made 25 runs off nine balls, striking four boundaries
and a six, before being caught and bowled by Chandna. Butt smacked two
massive sixes off Chandna (1-0-13-2) and was bowled off the last ball
of the over. Bhatt too made 25 off nine balls with the help of three
sixes and a four.
Rahul Sharma made 20 runs (7 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) and his wicket was
claimed by Jeevantha Kulatunga. Najeeb Amar played an almost perfect
knock, 19 off four balls with the help of three mighty sixes. Hong
Kong scored 96/3 off their five overs.
Sri Lanka had a stiff target to chase and faltered in the very first
over. Kulatunga lasted just three balls and struck a six; he was
caught by Sharma off the bowling of Brew. Indika de Saram and skipper
Chandika Hathurusingha added 45 runs off exactly three overs.
Indika de Saram scored 25 runs (11 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) and was
bowled by Butt. Chandna struck a six and a four to make 12 runs off
five balls; Adam Smith cleaned him up. Hathurasinge remained unbeaten
on 32 off just 12 balls witht he help of four boundaries and two
sixes. Sri Lanka could muster only 77/3 off their five overs.
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