In 2014, Hong Kong created a major upset by defeating Bangladesh in qualifiers of the 2014 World T20. Although Hong Kong failed to win any game in the Asia Cup Qualifiers, they did come up with impressive performances, giving each of their opponents a run for their money.
Playing at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, a pitch that both teams were not accustomed to, Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field first.
With the experienced opening pair of Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda, it looked like Zimbabwe would get off to a great start. It did seem like going that way, until H Masakadza threw his wicket away carelessly after making 20 off 13 balls. A good throw from Babar Hayat threw the Zimbabwe captain off guard and the bails were knocked off before Masakadza planted his foot or placed his bat in the crease.
After the Zimbabwe captain departed, Sibanda started playing his shots and controlled the innings. Richmond Mutumbami did not trouble the scorers as he was dismissed for a duck. Sean Williams looked good in his short innings of 12 before he was bowled by Tanwir Afzal. Sikandar Raza was also dismissed cheaply via another run-out.
Sibanda and Malcolm Waller then took their team from a troublesome 62/4 to 123/5 before Waller lost his wicket after a hard-fought 26 off 29 balls. Sibanda went soon after, having made an excellent knock of 59 runs off 46 balls.
With Zimbabwe struggling at 127/7 in 17.2 overs, it did not look like they would be able to reach a competitive total. However, former captain Elton Chigumbura played a special knock of 30 off just 13 balls to help propel his side to a total of 158 in 20 overs.
Hong Kong captain, Afzal and Aizaz Khan picked up two wickets each while Nadeem Ahmed picked up one wicket.
Zimbabwe came back to bowl with positive intent and did not give away any easy runs to the Hong Kong batsmen. In the powerplay, Hong Kong scored only 24 runs and lost one wicket. 44-year-old Ryan Campbell had a T20I debut to forget as he made just 9 off 19 balls.
The in-form batsman, Hayat lost his wicket quite early too as trapped in the front of the wicket by Wellington Masakadza.
Opener Jamie Atkinson and Mark Chapman were then involved in a 32-run partnership that gave Hong Kong some hope. Atkinson played a brilliant fifty, scoring 53 off 44 balls. Chapman and Anshuman Rath got starts, but, could not build as they got dismissed for 19 and 13.
Tanwir Afzal, the captain, put in a late onslaught, but his unbeaten 17-ball 31 did not take Hong Kong over the finishing line as they fell short by 14 runs.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 158/8, 20 overs (Sibanda 59, Chigumbura 30*; Afzal 2/19, Aizaz Khan 2/33) beat Hong Kong 144/6, 20 overs (Atkinson 53, Afzal 31*; Tiripano 2/27, Chatara 2/28) by 14 runs.
Man of the match: Vusi Sibanda.
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