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Paul McNamara

United Arab Emirates have reacted furiously following their farcical exit from the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes on Saturday.
An otherwise second triumphant day straight for the tournament finished with the UAE players literally and metaphorically in the dark, after they were set a target of 112 by Bangladesh in the closing quarter-final.
UAE, who began the day by shocking lacklustre India, had reached 43 for three with 16 balls remaining, when the umpires decided the failing light had become dangerous.
That was probably news to Sanchit Sharma, who had bludgeoned four sixes in six balls to reach an unbeaten 25. Bangladesh, however, progressed to a last-four meeting with Sri Lanka, who ruthlessly spoiled Nepal’s fun in a one-sided quarter-final.
UAE’s players complained they had not been given accurate information about the number of overs they would face, nor the target they required.
“It is disappointing because we genuinely believe we could have chased that target down, but conditions didn’t go our way and we were not informed about some things,” batsman Ansh Tandon told the Post.
“It was a crucial game for us. They asked us to score 38 runs in two overs, then later said we had to add two sixes, so we always had confusion in our mind. The match started 30 minutes late, too. We didn’t know when it would get dark, because we don’t know the conditions. We won the toss, so we would have batted first if we’d known.
“The day started really well and ended really badly.”
A number of officials were seen on the Tin Kwong Road Recreation outfield discussing the unsatisfactory conclusion long after darkness had fallen.
The Sixes’ broader success on its return after a seven-year absence prompted talk of a revival for the Hong Kong T20 Blitz. The Blitz was staged for three successive years from 2016, before the plug was pulled because of issues attracting sponsors.
The idea would be for The Blitz and the Sixes to happen back-to-back, as part of a carnival of cricket in the city.
“We are definitely looking to have the Blitz next year – we need sponsorship and government mega-event funding and, hopefully, with their support it will be possible,” said Burji Shroff, the chairman of the local cricket association.
“It has been clear at this event how vital it was to have ‘M’ Mark status [awarded by the city’s Major Sports Events Committee] to make it a success, and we could make the Blitz another great tournament that gets the eyes of the world on Hong Kong.”
Around 85 per cent of tickets were sold for Saturday’s Sixes action, following Friday’s sell-out.
The day began with disappointing India being sunk by UAE to exit at the group stage. India were subsequently well beaten by both England and New Zealand in the Bowl competition.

In the opening Cup quarter-final, Hong Kong, roared on by a healthy contingent of local fans, lost to Australia by 13 runs, despite a swashbuckling 51 in 12 balls from irresistible captain Nizakat Khan.
“This Sixes will inspire the youngsters watching and make them realise it is possible to be here one day representing Hong Kong in an international tournament,” Nizakat said.
“We want cricket in Hong Kong to continue growing. It would be brilliant to have franchise cricket, with the Blitz coming back, and for the Sixes to continue.”
Dan Christian, the Australia captain who top scored with 53 from 15 balls, said his team drew additional incentive from knowing Sunday’s semi-finals get under way at the not-so-unearthly time of 12:50pm.
On the other hand, Hong Kong face South Africa, who lost their quarter-final against Pakistan by 17 runs, in a Plate semi-final at 9:25am.
“[Bowler] Andrew Fekete is our social captain, he will find somewhere for us to have a drink and enjoy Hong Kong,” Christian said. “We can enjoy our afternoon and have a sleep-in.”
Christian, whose team will face Pakistan in the semi-finals, added: “Hong Kong played really well, it easily could have gone the other way.
“They bowled some really good yorkers and kept us to what I thought was a pretty gettable score.”
Nepal beat Australia in their final pool match to add to the scalp of England they claimed on Friday. However, in the quarter-finals they lost by 40 runs against Sri Lanka, after folding to 83 all out in reply to the Sri Lankans’ 123 for two.


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Cricket

Bangladesh beat the Emiratis in unsatisfactory fashion to book semi-final against Sri Lanka, while Australia are poised to face Pakistan


Bangladesh beat the Emiratis in unsatisfactory fashion to book semi-final against Sri Lanka, while Australia are poised to face Pakistan.


Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

Hong Kong Cricket Sixes: UAE fury overshadows second triumphant day, Blitz return mooted

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Bangladesh beat the Emiratis in unsatisfactory fashion to book semi-final against Sri Lanka, while Australia are poised to face Pakistan

Bangladesh beat the Emiratis in unsatisfactory fashion to book semi-final against Sri Lanka, while Australia are poised to face Pakistan