Silva willing to keep faith with Hong Kong batsmen despite second T20 collapse in 2 days
Captain Yasim Murtaza rescues side with 60 runs from 30 balls as they inflict back-to-back defeats on Kuwait
Kaushal Silva said he had complete faith in Hong Kong’s inconsistent batsman after his team overcame a second mini-collapse in two days on Thursday to beat Kuwait and move 2-0 ahead in their four-match T20 series.
Batting first, Hong Kong were indebted to a measured assault from captain Yasim Murtaza, who struck 60 from 30 balls to lift them from the rubble of 84 for seven to a challenging 171-9.
After Murtaza trapped opener Clint Anto lbw in the first over of their reply at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, the visitors were never up with the required rate. Debutant left-arm bowler Asad Rasheed bagged three wickets, as Kuwait fell 24 runs short on 147-8.
“I always believed in our batting, we knew they had two younger bowlers to come at the end; Yasim took full advantage and grabbed back the momentum,” said Silva, whose side lost five wickets for 30 runs during their successful pursuit of 183 on Wednesday.
“I want the players to always be positive and to stick to their strengths. That gives you a much better chance of success, and when we lose wickets I still believe this line-up is good enough to score runs.”
After Hong Kong recovered to reach the serene waters of 57-1 following the run out of Anshy Rath for a duck, Zeeshan Ali offered a cheap return catch to Mohammed Aslam. Perhaps fearing what would come next, the opener was furious with himself.