The UAE take on Hong Kong with a lot more than just the Asia Qualifier winning trophy on the line. Whoever prevails on Thursday at Malaysia’s Bandar Kinrara ground can look forward to rubbing shoulders with Pakistan and India in the main event, which will be held in the UAE later this month.
It will be the second time in a week the two nations will be meeting after Hong Kong triumphed by 182 runs on September 1.
Ahead of their rematch, we look back at the UAE’s previous 50-over meetings with Hong Kong since 2014.
SEPTEMBER 2018 – UAE LOST BY 182 RUNS
The UAE went into the game on the back of two convincing victories in the Asia Cup Qualifiers as they eased past Singapore and Nepal. But Dougie Brown’s side came unstuck against Hong Kong in their third group game. An imposing 276 was the target for the UAE as 20-year-old skipper Anshy Rath and Babar Hayat both scored centuries. The UAE never got going in their run-chase with number three batsman and captain Rohan Mustafa top-scoring with 33 as they were bowled out for 93.
A crucial win for @CricketHK!
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 1, 2018
Ehsan Khan picks up 4/17 in his 6 overs to help his side to a massive 182-run win against UAE #UAEvHK #AsiaCupQualifiers #AsiaCup2018qualifiers pic.twitter.com/Z12cDXeeia
JANUARY 2017 – WON BY SIX WICKETS
The last time the two countries met in an ODI and it was the UAE who came out on top. Playing at Dubai International Stadium in the tri-series tournament, Imran Haider stole the show taking four wickets as Hong Kong were shot out for 174. Shaiman Anwar’s half-century set the platform for the hosts as they reached their target with 11 overs to spare.
Imran Haider starred for the UAE.
NOVEMBER 2015 – LOST BY 136 RUNS
Hong Kong overpowered UAE in the World Cricket League Championship in Dubai. Tanwir Afzal’s 73 and Rath’s 53 ensured a total of 282 after 50 overs. That total proved to be too much as Anwar’s 71 was one of only four double figure scores as UAE were all out for 146.
NOVEMBER 2015 – LOST BY 89 RUNS
In the first World Cricket League Championship clash at Dubai’s ICC Academy, the UAE were up against it when the tourists amassed 298-4. Mark Chapman, now representing New Zealand, made a perfect ODI debut as he hit 124. Anwar again impressed with the bat, hitting 76 and not for the first time his efforts went in vain as UAE were comprehensively beaten.
Mark Chapman was in top form for Hong Kong.
MAY 2014 – WON BY TWO WICKETS
The first ODI meeting between the two countries came in the same city as Thursday’s finale. Mohammad Shahzad took four wickets to bowl out Hong Kong for 157. What looked like a straight forward chase turned out to be anything but. Fayyez Ahmed’s 37 and Amjad Ali’s 39 clinched a tense two wicket victory.
