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ACC Trophy Elite 2008: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 23 July to 3 August 2008

home > archive > 2008-09 season > international > acc trophy elite 2008 > commentary hkg v uae

The following was posted as live ball-by-ball commentary on the ACC website. Some of the original text has been editted by Travis Pittman.

Ball-By-Ball Commentary: ACC Trophy Elite 2008 Final - Hong Kong v. UAE at Kinrara Oval

Welcome to the commentary for the ACC Trophy Elite Final 2008 between Hong Kong and UAE. News is that Khurram Khan has won the toss and chosen to bat. Looks like a good pacy deck, there's some haze and just the threat of rain in the air.

Hong Kong's team: Tabarak Dar (capain), Najeeb Amar, Irfan Amed, Nadeem Ahmed, Moner Ahmed, James Atkinson, Butt Hussain, Zain Abbas, Ilyas Gul, Ali Shkwat, Roy Lamsam (12th man: Shakeel Haq)

UAE's team: Khurram Khan (captain), Mohammed Tauqir, Saqib Ali, Arshad Ali, Zahid Shah, Amjad Ali, Shadeep Silva, Fahad l Hashmi, Riaz Khalid, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Iqbal

Umpires are Anisur Rehman of Pakistan and Dushantha Ekanayake of Sri Lanka. Match Referee is Ravendra Jadeja.

Irfan Ahmed is the bowler Mohammed Iqbal to face.

0.1 WICKET! Iqbal flashes at a wide one that bounced and is caught behind! Game on!

UAE 0-1, 0.1 overs New batsman is dynamic left-hander Amjad Ali

0.2 Irfan to Amjad - played back to the bowler, no run

0.3 1 run - Irfan to Amjad - good-length ball outside off, played down to backward point for a single.

0.4 run Irfan to Arshad Ali - 1 run tucked away behind point Irfan getting plenty of lift here

0.5 Irfan to Amjad - 2 runs - clipped through cover

0.6 Irfan to Amjad - FOUR - slashed through point off another shortish ball. top shot!

Najeeb Amar (SLA) will open from the Pavilion End at Kinrara Good move by the Hong Kong team, they know how much the UAE like to attack and they just may self-destruct here

End of over 1: UAE 8-1 Arshad Ali(RHB) 1 Amjad Ali (LHB) 7 Irfan Ahmed (RMF) 1-0-8-1

1.1 Najeeb to Arshad - 1 run tucked away off his legs to square leg

1.2 Najeeb to Amjad - forward defensive , no run

1.3 Najeeb to Amjad - off-stump deliver, 1 run pushed to cover

1.4 Najeeb to Arshad - 2 runs - solid push through the off-side

1.5 Najeeb to Arshad - no run - forward defensive

1.6 Najeeb to Arshad - ditto 1.5

End of over 2 UAE 14-1 Arshad 3*, Amjad 8* Najeeb (SLS) 1-0-4-0 Irfan to continue from ther Kinrara Road End

2.1 Irfan to Amjad no run

2.2 Irfan to Amjad - 1 run - length balll pushed through point for an easy single

2.3 Irfan to Arshad - no run - comes forward to a good-length ball, smothers any hint of spin or seam!

2.4 Irfan to Arshad - 1 run - pushed to mid-off for an easy single. Better length from Irfan here. Still on off-stump also

2.5 Irfan to Amjad - OUT - climbs off a length, Amjad fends, caught behind

2.6 Irfan to Saqib - no run, outside off, left alone UAE 16-2 (2.5 overs) Saqib Ali (RHB) is the new batsman

End of over 3 UAE 16-2 Arshad Ali 5*, Saqib Ali 0* Irfan Ahmed (RMF) 1-0-10-2 ... Najeeb Amar's next over was a wicket maiden! Arshad Ali sweeping a ball on leg-stump straight into the hands of square leg inside the circle... End of over 4 UAE 16 -3 Saqib Ali 0*, Khurram Khan (LHB) 0* Najeeb Amar 2-1-4-1

4.1 Irfan to Saqib - FOUR - Super drive through cover. Saqib accepting the invitation!

4.2 Irfan to Saqib - wide Irfan to Saqib - No run

4.3 Irfan to Saqib - 1 run

4.4 Irfan to Khurram - 1 run

4.5 Irfan to Khurram - leg-bye

4.6 Irfan to Saqib - no run

End of over 5: Saqib 5*, Khurram 0* Irfan 3-0-16-2

5.1 Najeeb to Khurram - FOUR - 'carpet-drive- through midwicket. Class shot to get off the mark

5.2 Najeeb to Khurram - one run, length ball tucked away behind square for an easy single

5.3 Najeeb to Saqib - ditto to 5.2

5.4 Najeeb to Khurram - no run

5.5 Najeeb to Khurram - Wide - down the leg-side

5.6 Najeeb to Khurram - no run

End of over 6 UAE 29-3 Saqib 6*, Khurram 5* Najeeb 3-1-11-1

6.1 Irfan to Saqib - no run

6.2 Irfan to Saqib - no run

6.3 Irfan to Saqib - no run

6.4 Irfan to Saqib - no run

6.5 Irfan to Saqib - one run

6.6 Irfan to Khurram - no run

End of over 7 : UAE 30-3 Saqib 7*, Khurram 5* Irfan 4-0-17-2

7.1 Najeeb to Saqib - no run

7.2 Najeeb to Saqib - one run

7.3 Najeeb to Saqib - one run

7.4 Najeeb to Khurram - no run

7.5 Najeeb to Khurram - no run

7.6 najeeb to Khurram - no run UAE 32-3. Saqib 8*, Khurram 6*

Irfan to continue - looking to break this potentially dangerous partnership

8.1 Irfan to Saqib - one run

8.2 Irfan to Khurram - FOUR - swung round off his hips to fine leg

8.3 Irfan to Khurram - SIX - bouncer! Khurram swats down to backwards square. What a batsman!

8.4 Irfan to Khurram - no run - order restored with a push back to the bowler

8.5 Irfan to Khurram - FOUR - super cover drive

8.6 Irfan to Khurram - no run

Saqib 9*, Khurram 20* Irfan 5-0-32-2 Great over for UAE. Khurram showing all his class

BOWLING CHANGE Tall slow-left armer Nadeem Ahmed, he of the lovely action, replaces Najeeb Amar at the Pavilion End

9.1 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

9.2 Nadeem to Saqib - 1 run

... No more runs off the over, we're not describing to save time. The game is rather running away from us slow typists!

End over 10 UAE 48-3 Saqib 10*, Khurram 20* Nadeem 1-0-1-0

10.1 Lamsam to Saqib - no run Irfan, having taken a hammering last over is replaced by the military medium of the stocky Roy Lamsam at the Road End

10.2 Lamsam to Saqib - no run

10.3 Lamsam to Saqib - no run

10.4 Lamsam to Saqib - no run

10.5 Lamsam to Saqib - one run

10.6 Lamsam to Khurram - one run

That's the UAE 50 (68 balls, 1 six, 3 fours)

End over 11 - UAE 50-3 Saqib 11*, Khurram 21* Lamsam (RM) 1-0-2-0

11.1 Nadeem to Saqib - no run forward defensive to a ball right on the money

11.2 Nadeem to Saqib - FOUR - a shot right on the money, through square leg Nadeem just straying onto leg-stump

11.3 no run - Nadeem to Saqib

11.4 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

11.5 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

11.6 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

End of over 12 UAE - 54-3 Saqib 15*, Khurram 21* Nadeem 2-0-5-0. Good contest building between these two

12.1 Lamsam to Khurram - wide Lamsam to Khurram - two leg-byes

12.2 Lamsam to Khurram - no run

12.3 Lamsam to Khurram - no run

12.4 Lamsam to Khurram - leg-bye

12.5 Lamsam to Khurram - no run

12.6 Lamsam to Khurram - one run

End of over 13 UAE 59-3 Saqib 15*, Khurram 22* Lamsam 1-0-4-0

13.1 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

13.2 Nadeem to Saqib - FOUR - short-ball, cut powerfully through point

13.3 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

13.4 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

13.5 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

13.6 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

End of over 14 UAE 63-3 Saqib 19*, Khurram 22* Nadeem 2-0-9-0

14.1 Lamsam to Khurram - no run

14.2 Lamsam to Khurram - one run - clipped to point

14.3 Lamsam to Saqib - no run

14.4 Lamsam to Saqib - FOUR - monstered through mid-wicket

14.5 Lamsam to Saqib - no run

14.6 Lamsam to Saqib - no ball FREE HIT next ball Lamsam to Saqib - no run. Even the great Saqib, like so many other international batsmen misses out on the free hit as he swung too hard

End of over 15 UAE 63-3 Saqib 23*, Khurram 22* Lamsam 2-0-10-0

15.1 Nadeem to Khurram - faster, flatter - no run one run that ball, sorry

15.2 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

15.3 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

15.4 Nadeem to Saqib - one run

15.5 Nadeem to Khurram - no run

15.6 Nadeem to Khurram - no run

End of over 16 - UAE 71-3 Saqib 24*, Khurram 23* Nadeem (SLA) 3-0-11-0

16.1 Lamsam to Saqib - FOUR - half-volley spanked through cover

16.2 Lamsam to Saqib - no run

16.3 Lamsam to Saqib - no run

16.4 Lamsam to Saqib - two runs - short ball glanced down to 3rd man

16.5 Lamsam to Saqib - one run

16.6 Lamsam to Khurram - no run

End of over 17 UAE 76-3 Saqib 30*, Khurram 24* Lamsam 3-0-17-0

UAE rebuilding well here. Khurram and Saqib looking very comfortable

17.1 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

17.2 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

17.3 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

17.4 Nadeem to Saqib - no run

17.5 Nadeem to Saqib - no run BIG APPEAL for leg-before - not out

17.6 Nadeem to Saqib - wide Nadeem to Saqib - no run

End of over 18 (1 run) UAE 77-3 Saqib 30*, Khurram 24* Nadeem (SLA) 4-0-12-0

BOWLING CHANGE Ilyas Gul (OB) replaces Roy Lamsam at the Kinrara Road End

... First four balls all dots (as we catch up)

18.4 Ilyas to Khurram - one run - stroked to long-on

18.5 that was , previously

18.6 llyas to Saqib - no run

End of over 19 (1 run) UAE 78-3

End of over 19 (4 runs) 81-3 last delivery garnered three for UAE and Saqib Saqib 33*, Khurram 25* Ilyas Gul (OB) 1-0-4-0

Nadeem continues from the Pavilion End

READERS IN THE THOUSANDS - WE ARE GOING TO SKIP THE NEXT FIVE OVERS AS WE GET BACK ON TRACK WITH SCORING AND WE WILL RETURN AT THE END OF THE 25TH OVER. THANK YOU

We're back! UAE after 25 overs are 109 for 3 Saqib 53*, Khurram 30*

25.1 Moner Ahmed to Khurram - no run

25.2 Moner Ahmed (SLA) to Khurram (LHB) - no run

25.3 Moner to Khurram - no run

25.4 Moner to Kurram - one run - swept down to fine leg

25.5 Moner to Saqib - one run- cheeky single

25.6 Moner to Khurram - faster ball, looking for the yorker - Khurram drives to mid-on 1 run

End of over 26: UAE 113 for 3 after 26 overs Saqib 54*, Khurram 32* Moner 3-0-13-0

Najeeb from the Road End

26.1 Najeeb to Khurram - rank long-hop - pulled to square leg for 4

26.2 Najeeb to Khurram - SAME AGAIN

26.3 Najeeb to Khurram - no run and for off-breaks read slow left-arm Najeeb's offbreaks suffering here

26.4 Najeeb to Khurram - no run

26.5 Najeeb to Khurram - no run

26.6 Najeeb to Khurram - no run

End of over 27 UAE 121-3 Saqib 54*, Khurram 41*

Moner Ahmed (SLA) continues from the Pavilion End and bowls an over for two runs, scored by Saqib off the last ball down to fine leg

End of over 28 (2 runs) Saqib 56*, Khurram 41*

28.1 Najeeb to Khurram - FOUR - cut down to third man Najeeb (SLA) to continue

28.2 Najeeb to Khurram - no run - length ball played back to the bowler

28.3 Najeeb to Khurram - one run - to midwicket

28.4 Najeeb to Saqib - one run - easy single to mid-off

28.5 Najeeb to Saqib - one run Khurram works it off his legs

28.6 Najeeb to Saqib - no run - looking for the single but cover runs in

End of over 29 Saqib 57*, Khurram 47* Najeeb 6-0-0-28, Moner 3-0-11-0

29.1 Moner to Khurram - no run - played back to the bowler Moner Ahmed to continue

29.2 Moner to Khurram - one run to square leg

29.3 Moner to Saqib - bounces in - one run - driven, a little uppishly to the sweeper on the off-side

29.4 Moner to Khurram - no run

29.5 Moner to Khurram - one run - to long-on

29.6 Moner to Saqib - no run - hit to cover

Pace back on. Irfan Ahmed from the Road End

30.1 Irfan to Khurram - wide Irfan to Khurram - no run - APPEAL - Khurram beaten for pace

30.2 Irfan to Khurram - no run - forward defensive

30.3 Irfan to Khurram - no run - back-foot defensive

30.4 Irfan to Khurram - one run - FIFTY for Khurram with an push to mid-on. Top innings.

30.5 Irfan to Saqib - no run - Saqib beaten! Fishing outside off

30.6 Irfan to Saqib - no run - length-ball outside off, left alone

End of over 31: UAE 135 - 3 Saqib 58*, Khurram 50* Irfan 6-0-34-2

31.1 Moner to Khurram - no run

31.2 Moner to Khurram - FOUR - swept powerfully in front of mid-wicket

31.3 Moner to Khurram - no run, length ball on off, played to mid-off

31.4 Moner to Khurram - no run

31.5 Moner to Khurram - no run, slower and floated up outside off- Khurram flat-bats to point

31.6 Moner to Khurram - outsie off, Khurrm tries to work it through the leg-side, no contact

End of over 32 (4 runs) UAE 139-3 Saqib 58*, Khurram 54* Moner - 4-0-15-0

Pace from Irfan

32.1 Irfan to Saqib - no run, Saqib a little late and is almost leg-before, Irfan hangs his head

32.2 Irfan to Saqib - FOUR - streaky! Saqib tries to drive, gets a thick edge down to 3rd man

32.3 Irfan to Saqib - no run, defense

32.4 Irfan to Saqib - FOUR - Slashed through point. Good duel between these two

32.5 Irfan to Saqib - one run - length-ball outside off - guided down to third man

32.6 Irfan to Khurram - widespread field - no run, Khurram triers to work the ball off leg and middle, taken on the pads

End over 33 (9 runs) UAE 148 for 3 Saqib 67*, Khurram 54* Irfan 7-0-37-0

33.1 Moner to Saqib - no run Moner (SLA) continues

33.2 Moner to Saqib - forward press, no run

33.3 Moner to Saqib - ditto

33.4 one run - quick single off the pads tomid-on

33.5 Moner to Khurram - one run - swept in front of square

33.6 Moner to Saqib - FOUR - Saqib cuts a ball that wasn't that short down to backward point. Risky but made it look so easy.

End of over 34 (6 runs) Saqib 72*, Khurram 55* Moner 5-0-21-0

Widespread field Nadeem Ahmed (SLA) replaces his brother Irfan (RMF) at the Road End

34.1 Nadeem to Khurram, one run, stroked to long-off

34.2 Nadeem to Saqib - one run, cheeky single to mid-off, had to hurry but the throw missed anyway

34.3 Nadeem to Khurram - no run

34.4 Nadeem to Khurram - two runs - !!! upper-paddle off a ball on middle right over the keeper's head

34.5 Nadeem to Khurram - no run

34.6 Nadeem to Khurram OUT - Khurram doesn't get totally on top of a cut and is well held by Zain Abbas at backward point. End of a good innings

End of over 35 (4 runs) UAE 158-4 Saqib 73*, Rameez Shehzad is the new batsman. Nadeem 7-0-15-1 Khurram Khan 56 (94 balls, 7x4, 0x6)

35.1 Ilyas to Saqib, no run Bowling change: Ilyas Gul (OB) replaces Moner Ahmed at the Pavilion End

35.2 Ilyas to Saqib, no run

35.3 Ilyas to Saqib, one run, swept fine

35.4 Ilyas to Rameez, no run

35.5 Ilyas to Rameez, no run

35.6 Ilyas to Rameez, no run

End of over 36 (2 runs) UAE 160-4 Saqib (RHB)75*, Rameez (RHB) 0* Ilyas Gul (OB) 5-021-0

36.1 Nadeem to Saqib, no run

36.2 Nadeem to Saqib, one run down to third man

36.3 Nadeem to Rameez, two runs, tucked down to fine leg

36.4 Nadeem to Rameez, DROPPED, good effort by Atkinson behind the stumps running backwards off the top-edged/gloved sweep. Difficult. looping chance

36.5 Nadeem to Rameez, no run

36.6 Nadeem to Rameez, no run

End of over 37 (3 runs) 163-4 Saqib (RHB) 75* Rameez (RHB) 2* Nadeem 8-0-18-1 Game is interestingly poised.... Nadeem finishes with 10-0-30-1

We take another 5 minute break. Back soon!

After 41 overs UAE 182 for 4 Saqib 82*, Rameez 8* 230 is par on this wicket. 250 will be very difficult for Hong Kong to chase

41.1 Ilyas Gul to Saqib, one run, off his pads down to fine leg

41.2 Ilyas to Rameez, stroked for an easy single to long on

41.3 Ilyas to Saqib, SIX, HUUUUUGE hit over long-on. First of the innings Saqib looking to accelerate to his 100

41.4 Ilyas to Saqib, one run, on a length, down to fine leg

41.5 llyas to Rameez, no run

41.6 Ilyas to Rameez, one run, looking for two to square leg but Rameez is sent back by Saqib. He wants to keep the strike

End of over 42 (10 runs) UAE 192-4 Saqib 89*, Rameez 11* Ilyas 8-1-39-0 Moner Ahmed (SLA) is back from the Road End

42.1 Moner to Shehzad, one leg-bye

42.2 Rameez to Saqib, no run

42.3 Rameez to Saqib, one run, down to fine-leg

42.4 Rameez to Shehzad, one run, to long-on COLLISION between Saqib and Moner at the bowler's end! No chance of a two

42.5 Rameez to Shehzad, no run

42.6 Rameez to Shehzad, no run

End of over 43 (3 runs) UAE 195-4 Saqib 90*, Shehzad 12*

43.1 Najeeb to Saqib, one run, to long-on

43.2 Najeeb to Shehzad, two runs, driven to long-off

43.3 Najeeb to Shehzad, one run, to fine-leg

43.4 Najeeb to Shehzad, OUT, lbw, to one that scuttled on

Mohammad Tauqir (RHB) is the new batsman

... 44th over bowled by Moner - 5 runs came off it

45.1 Najeeb (SLA) to Saqib, one run

45.2 Najeeb to Tauqir, no run

45.3 Najeeb to Tauqir, two runs pushed down to third man

45.4 Najeeb to Tauqir, no run

... UAE after 46 overs are 212 for 5. Seven off the over in total.

Hong Kong just pegging them back.... Moner continues

46.1 Moner to Saqib, one run, tight single to cover. Tauqir makes it

46.2 Moner to Tauqir, no run

46.3 Moner to Tauqir, one run, floated up, Tauqir mistimes his drive, ball in the air a long time but falls between long-off and cover running-back

46.4 Moner to Saqib, one run, driven to long-off

46.5 Moner to Tauqir, one run, driven between point and cover

46.6 Moner to Saqib, no run

End of over 47 (4 runs) Saqib 98*, Tauqir 6* Moner 10-0-35-0

47.1 Najeeb to Tauqir, FOUR, short and wide, Tauqir knows what to do

47.2 Najeeb to Tauqir, two runs, swept to fine leg's wide open space

47.3 Najeeb to Tauqir, one run, mistimed drive, cover runs back, goes through his hands

47.4 Najeeb to Saqib, one run to point. Saqib on 99 now

47.5 Najeeb to Tauqir, FOUR, short and opn leg-stump, Tauqir knows what to do with them also

47.6 Najeeb to Tauqir, no run

End of over 48 (12 runs) Saqib 99*, Tauqir 17* Najeeb (SLA) 9-0-53-2 Irfan RMF on from the Road End

48.1 Irfan to Saqib, one run, HUNDRED for Saqib, gets a good round of applause from the 50-strong crowd. Done with an overthrow but he'll take it nevertheless

48.2 Irfan to Tauqir, one run

48.3 Irfan to Saqib, one run

48.4 Irfan to Tauqir, one run

48.5 Irfan to Saqib, one run, cut to the cover-sweeper

48.6 Irfan to Tauqir, one run, driven to mid-wicket

End of over 49 (6 runs) UAE 234-5 Saqib 102*, Tauqir 20*

Najeeb to bowl the last, 12 off his last over

49.1 Najeeb to Tauqir, one run

49.2 Najeeb to Saqib, OUT, goes for the big drive, a little bit of spin gets the outside half of the bat and Moner Ahmed takes an easy catch five yards in from the boundary

Zahid Shah is the new batsman

49.3 Najeeb to Tauqir, one run

49.4 Najeeb to Zahid, SIX, over square leg! Big hit from a big man

49.5 Najeeb to Zahid, OUT, goes for another big one, bowled swinging across the line

Shadeep Silva (LHB) is the new batsman

49.6 Najeeb to Shadeep, one run, driven to mid-off inside the circle

UAE finish on 243 for 7

Excellent partnership of 144 between Khurram Khan and Saqib rescued UAE after a shaky start. The wicket showed some spin and bounce but it's an excellent track and Hong Kong with their heavy-hitters could get very very close. Irfan bowled well at the start with considerable pace to rock UAE and Moner and Nadeem kept things tight with their slow-left arm. Najeeb Amar (SLA) finished with 4-61 off his ten overs. Still, Saqib Ali's 102 off 134 balls (5 fours, 1 six) was the highlight fo the day so far.

We'll be back from Kuala Lumpur's Kinrara at 2.05 local time, about half an hour from now.

The skies have clouded over during lunch and there's a stiff breeze blowing. The Hong Kong manager's studying Duckworth/Lewis very carefully! Should be of help to the bowlers early on....

Zahid Shah (RMF) to open from the Road End He's bowling to Hong Kong's captain Tabarak Dar (RHB)

0.1 Zahid to Dar, wide, one run

0.1 Zahid to Dar, wide, one run Two wides in a row, both down the leg side

0.1 Zahid to Dar, FOUR, cuts Dar in half and the inside-edge goes past the keeper to the fine-leg boundary

0.2 Zahid to Dar, no run, forward defensive off a good-length ball

0.3 Zahid to Dar, leg bye, one run

0.4 Zahid to Irfan (RHB), no run, fullish length on the stumps, defended

0.5 Zahid to Irfan, wide, one run

0.5 Zahid to Irfan, wide, one run

0.5 Zahid to Irfan, no run, played and missed a short-ball outside off

0.6 Zahid to Irfan, FOUR, gets the shot right this time and the ball's cut away through point

End of over 1 (13 runs) Hong Kong 13-0 Dar 4*, Irfan 4* Zahid 1-0-12-0

And it's raining! Covers are one very fast. Players are off Rain is of the medium-to heavy drizzle kind and looks as if it will be here for a while. Kinrara has excellent drainage so once the rain stops play should be possible half an hour later.

2.35 The rain is easing But right now, we're all just waiting it out. The side batting second always has a 60/40 advantage in these situations. We'll keep you updated every half-hour. For now, this is the ACC at Kinrara signing off.

2.45 Still raining at Kinrara, but it is geting brighter as the lowest clouds are emptied.

2.55 The rain's stopped. The umpires are inspecting the ground. The covers have had the surplus water taken off them and should be pulled away soon.

3.10 The players are on the outfield. Umpires are still inspecting the wicket and the square now that the covers are off.

3.25 The sun is shining! The umpires and match referee still haven't finished their inspection so we don't know for sure how many overs of play will be possible. There needs to be 25 overs batting by Hong Kong to be "a match".

3.30 The umpires have returned and have said that the game can restart at 3.45.

We're back! Hong Kong's revised target according to Duckworth/Lewis is off 203 off 35 overs

Shadeep Silva (SLA) comes into the attack straightaway.

1.1 Shadeep to Dar, OUT, pitches on middle and would hit middle! Plumb. Dar hardly made an effort to play it. Super start for UAE. What a team and what a time to take a wicket, first ball back after the resumption.

Hong Kong 13-1 (1.1 overs) Need 190 more runs. Najeeb Amar (LHB) is the new batsman

1.2 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, comes forward to scotch the spin

1.3 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, forward defensive to a ball on a good length

1.4 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run

1.5 Shadeep to Najeeb, FOUR, loose one from Shadeep and swung round to fine leg. Outfield is still pretty quick

1.6 Shadeep to Najeeb, FOUR, short and outside off and Najeeb on the back-foot, slashes through the off-side field

End of over 2 (8 runs) Hong Kong 21-1 target 203 off 35

Mohammad Tauqir (OB) is the new bowler from the Road End

2.1 Tauqir to Nadeem, FOUR, edged through slip

2.2 Tauqir to Nadeem, almost! Nadeem on ther back foot, almost trapped by one that turned in

2.3 Tauqir to Nadeem, better from Nadeem, no run, played back to the bowler

2.4 Tauqir to Nadeem, OUT, worse by Nadeem, lofts a catch straight to long-on who takes it running in, waist high Nadeem Ahmed c Al Hashmi b Tauqir 4

Hong Kong 25-2 (2.4 overs). James Atkinson is the new batsman

2.5 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run

2.6 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run

End of over 3 (4 runs) Hong Kong 25-2 target 203 off 35

3.1 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run

3.2 Shadeep to Najeeb, one run, driven past the bowler, long on collects

3.3 Shadeep to Atkinson, wide, skids past the batsman

3.3 Shadeep to Atkinson, no run

3.4 Shadeep to Atkinson, one run, easy single to long-off

3.5 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, good ball, good forward defense

3.6 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run

End of over 4 (3 runs) Hong Kong 28-2 Najeeb 9*, Atkinson 1*

4.1 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run

4.2 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run, played back to the bowler

4.3 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run, quikcer from Tauqir, Atkinson on the back foot hits the ball to cover

4.4 Tauqir to Atkinson, one run, driven to mid-off

4.5 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, comes forward and juast drops the ball at his feet

4.6 Tauqir to Najeeb, two runs, good shot, driven sweetly through midwicket

End of over 5 (3 runs) Hong Kong 31-2 Target 203 off 35

5.1 Shadeep to Atkinson, no run, BIG APPEAL though for lbw

5.2 Shadeep to Atkinson, one run, good straight drive past the bowler

5.3 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, plenty of flight from Shadeep

5.4 Shadeep to Najeeb, SIX, sweet, sweet, sweet, over midwicket for a big one

5.5 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run, faster and flatter

5.6 Shadeep to Najeeb, no run

End of over 6 (7 runs) Hong Kong 38-2

6.1 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run

6.2 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run, stifled appeal for lbw

6.3 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run

6.4 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run

6.5 Tauqir to Atkinson, no run, straight back to the bowler

6.6 Tauqir to Atkinson, FOUR, cut savagely behind square. Good shot off ball that was short but not far outside off

End of over 7 (4 runs) Hong Kong 42-2, Najeeb 17*, Atkinson 7*. Hong Kong need 161 off 28 overs at 5.75 runs an over

Shadeep's spell 3-0-18-1 PACE from the Pavilion End with Zahid Shah

7.1 Zahid (RMF) to Najeeb (SLA), one run, soft hands to drop the loosener down to third man

7.2 Zahid to Atkinson, no run, tasty lifter from Zahid, climbing off a length, Atkinson takes his bottom hand off the bat and plays it down well

7.3 Zahid to Atkinson, no run, driven off the back-foot to point

7.4 Zahid to Atkinson, one run, good cricket from Atkinson, rose with the rising ball and times it sweetly to the cover-sweeper

7.5 Zahid to najeeb, no run, big appeal for lbw as the ball kept low but always going away with the angle to the left-hander

7.6 Zahid to Najeeb, one run, down to third man

End of over 8 (3 runs) Hong Kong 45-2 Najeeb 19*, Atkinson 8*

8.1 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

8.2 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

8.3 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

8.4 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, it's been Najeeb plopping forward to every delivery so far

8.5 Tauqir to Najeeb, SIX, swept over square leg. Awesome!

8.6 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, easilly played back to the bowler

End of over 9 (6 runs) Hong Kong 51-2

9.1 Zahid to Atkinson, one run, hit over cover

9.2 Zahid to Najeeb, no run

9.3 Zahid to Najeeb, one run, to deep point

9.4 Zahid to Atkinson, one run, down to third man Zahid bowling just a little too short to Atkinson here, who's handling it well

9.5 Zahid to Najeeb, no run, heave to a ball outside off, looking for the leg-side, no contact

9.6 Zahid to Najeeb, no run, played to point

End of over 10 (3 runs) Hong Kong 54-2 Target 203 off 35, they need 149 off 25 at 5.98 an over

10.1 Tauqir to Atkinson, one run, driven conmfortably to long-on for a strolled single

10.2 Tauqir (OB) to Najeeb (LHB), no run

10.3 Tauqir to Najeeb, FOUR, crafty, fine sweep

10.4 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, big heave, and almost stumped

10.5 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run, big appeal for lbw Umpire Dushanayake unmoved

10.6 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

End of over 11 (5 runs) Hong Kong 59-2 Najeeb 30*, Atkinson 11* Zahid 3-0-18-0

Khurram Khan (SLA) comes in to the attack from the Pavilion End

11.1 Khurram to Atkinson (RHB), one run

11.2 Khurram to Najeeb, no run

11.3 Khurram to Najeeb, one run

11.4 Khurram to Atkinson, no run

11.5 Khurram to Atkinson, one run

11.6 Khurram to Najeeb, no run End of over 12 (3 runs) Hong Kong 62-2 Najeeb 31*, Atkinson 13*.

Zahid Shah comes back from the Road End. Tauqir 5-0-22-1.

Still a relatively attacking field from Khurram, just two on the boundary at fine-leg and third man.

12.1 Zahid to Atkinson, no run

12.2 Zahid to Atkinson, one run, squirted off the edge to point

12.3 Zahid to Najeeb, one run, driven firmly off the front-foot to mid-off who can't stop clanly

12.4 Zahid to Atkinson, no run

12.5 Zahid to Atkinson, no run, tried to work a fullish delivery away to leg, taken on the pad

12.6 Zahid to Atkinson, no run

End of over 13 (2 runs) Hong Kong 64-2 Najeeb 32*, Atkinson 14*

Tauqir resumes from the Pavilion End

13.1 Tauqir to Najeeb, one run, to backward square from a faster, flatter delivery

13.2 Tauqir (OB) to Atkinson (RHB), no run, beaten in the flight, miscues off the inside half of the bat to mid-on

13.3 Tauqir to Atkinson, one run, worked through square leg

13.4 Tauqir to Najeeb (LHB), no run, faster delivery. played back down the ground

13.5 Tauqir to Najeeb, SIX, monstered over midwicket

13.6 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

End of over 14 (8 runs) Hong Kong 72-2 Target 203 off 35, they need 131 off 21 at 6.2 an over

14.1 Zahid to Atkinson, one run, squirted down to third man

14.2 Zahid (RMF) to Najeeb (LHB), FOUR, punched past mid-off

14.3 Zahid to Najeeb, one run, takes a quick single to the fielder on the edge of the 30-yard circle

14.4 Zahid to Atkinson, one run, off an overthrow after being initially sent back by Najeeb

14.5 Zahid to Najeeb, FOUR, inside/bottom edge to fine leg. Bowler disconsolate. Najeeb will take the runs though. UAE just on the back foot at the moment.

14.6 Zahid to Najeeb, cheeky single to mid-off. Pinches the strike

End of over 15 (12 runs) Hong Kong 84-2

15.1 Khurram (SLA) to najeeb (LHB), one run to mid-on. 50 FOR NAJEEB 15.2 Khurram to Atkinson, WIDE

15.2 Khurram to Atkinson, DROPPED, one run, top-edged drive went high to mid-on Zahid Shah who dropped the slippery ball

15.3 Khurram to Najeeb, one run

15.4 Khurram to Atkinson, two runs paddled down to fine leg

15.5 Khurram to Atkinson, no run

15.6 Khurram to Atkinson, no run attempted sweep

End of over 16 (6 runs), Hong Kong 90-2 Najeeb 51*, Atkinson 20* Arshad Ali (LB) comes on from the Road End. Could be a big miss that by the UAE. This partnership's looking very good for Hong Kong.

16.1 Arshad to Najeeb, one run

16.2 Arshad to Atkinson, no run, full delivery played to mid-on

16.3 Arshad to Atkinson, no run, beaten by the leggie

16.4 Arshad to Atkinson, one run, comes out to drive, played to mid-off

16.5 Arshad to Najeeb, no run, play and miss

16.6 Arshad to Najeeb, one run, swept to the leg-side sweeper

End of over 17 (3 runs) Hong Kong 93-2 Khurram back on

17.1 Khurram to najeeb, no run

17.2 Khurram to Najeeb, two runs, swept to square leg

17.3 Khurram to Najeeb, wide

17.3 Khurram to Najeeb, one run, good stroke down to long on

17.4 Khurram to Atkinson, wide

17.4 Khurram to Atkinson, wide Khurram looking for the genius ball that spins into the stumps, batsman take two also

17.4 Khurram to Atkinson, no run

17.5 Khurram to Atkinson, one run

17.6 Khurram to Najeeb, 2 runs

End of over 18 (10 runs) Najeeb 57*, Atkinson 22* Hong Kong 103-2 after 18 overs. Target 203 off 35, they need 100 off 17 at 5.87 an over.

Drinks are being taken on the field. Arshad resumes from the Road End. Made things happen in his last over, he does get wickets and is hard to attack.

18.1 Arshad (LB) to Najeeb (LHB), no run

18.2 Arshad to Najeeb, FOUR, gorgeous cut down to third man, beats two fielders

18.3 Arshad to Najeeb, wide, tries to tempt him into an indiscretion with a similar ball but it's too wide

18.3 Arshad to Najeeb, one run, easy single into the off-side

18.4 Arshad to Atkinson, one run, full-toss, driven to long-off

18.5 Arshad to Najeeb, no run, the topspinner not red by Najeeb but he gets bat on it

18.6 Arshad to Najeeb, one run, driven to long-off and pinches the strike

End of over 19 (8 runs) Hong Kong 111 for 2, Target 203 off 35. New bowler Saqib Ali (LB) on from the Pavilion End

19.1 Saqib to Najeeb, no run, quickis delivery worlked to square leg

19.2 Saqib to Najeeb, no run

19.3 Saqib to Najeeb, no run, hit hard back to the bowler

19.4 Saqib to Najeeb, no run, sharp bounce

19.5 Saqib to Najeeb, no run

19.6 Saqib to Najeeb, SIX, Najeeb loves that mid-wicket corner near his team's dressing-room!

End of over 20 (6 runs) Hong Kong 117-2 Najeeb 69*, Atkinson 23* Partnership of 92 so far. Fahad Al Hashmi (RMF) comnes on from the Road End.

20.1 Fahad to Atkinson, one run, lofted over the infield cover-sweeper collects

20.2 Fahad to Najeeb, one run

20.3 Fahad to Atkinson, one run

20.4 Fahad to Najeeb, no run

20.5 Fahad to Najeeb, no run

20.6 Fahad to Najeeb, three runs, super shot, hit on the up through mid-off

End of over 21 (6 runs) Hong Kong 123 for 2 They're up with rate! Riaz Khalid (OB) on from the Pavilin End as Khurram tries to ring all the changes. He's dangerous but can be eratic.

21.1 Riaz to Najeeb, no run

21.2 Riaz to Najeeb, two runs, swept fine

21.3 Riaz to Najeeb, FOUR, late cut

21.4 Riaz to Najeeb, SIX, Najeeb's corner

21.5 Riaz to Najeeb, FOUR,blasted through mid-off

21.6 Riaz to Najeeb, one run, pinches the strike as usual!.

End of over 22 (17 runs) Hong Kong 139 for 2 Najeeb 89*, Atkinson 24*. These two sail past the 100-partnership Hong Kong 145-2. Tauqir (OB) is back.

22.1 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

22.2 Tauqir to Najeeb, SIX, in the air a long time but it's mid-wicket again!

22.3 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

22.4 Tauqir to Najeeb, FOUR, all run! Driven to long-on and one for the overthrow UAE run ragged here

22.5 Tauqir to Najeeb, no run

22.6 Tauqir to Najeeb, one run, and the pinch as usual! 100 for Najeeb. Super innings. Applauded warmly by all

End of over 23 (11 runs) Hong Kong 150 for 3, needing 53 off 12. It'll be the biggest choke in ACC history if they lose from here. Still, there's Khurram.... Khurram back on. He has to do something for his team.

23.1 Khurram to Najeeb, OUT, lbw! Najeeb plays acrosss the line and umpire Rehman has no hesitation in lifting his finger Khurram's got the big wicket!

23.2 Khurram to Butt, one run Butt Hussain (RHB) is the new batsman

23.3 Khurram to Atkinson, one run

23.4 Khurrm to Butt, no run

23.5 Khurram to Butt, one run

23.6 Khurram to Atkinson, one run, driven to midwicket

End of over 24 (4 runs) Hong Kong 154-4, 49 wanted off 11 overs. Shadeep Silva (SLA) back on from the Road End. UAE have a chance now. Najeeb was taking the match away from them

24.1 Shadeep to Atkinson, no run

24.2 Shadeep to Atkinson, OUT!, lbw to a fizzer. two wickets in two overs and UAE ARE RIGHT BACK IN IT. WOW! What a game! James Atkinson lbw Shadeep Silva 36

Zain Abbas (RHB) is the new batsman

24.3 Shadeep to Zain, OUT!!!!, lbw playing forward. Umpire Ekanayake says Zain has to go. Zain Abbas lbw Shadeep Silva 0

Irfan Ahmed (RHB) is the new batsman Hat-trick ball coming up

24.4 Shadeep to Irfan, no run, hat-trick averted with a broad bat down the track

24.5 Shadeep to Irfan, one run

24.6 Shadeep to Butt, one run

End of over 25 (2 runs) Hong Kong 156-5 47 off 10 is the equation

Two big hitters at the crease for Hong Kong. Two good bowlers on song for UAE. Anything could happen!

25.1 Khurram to Butt, no run

25.2 Khurram to Butt, one run

25.3 Khurram to Irfan, no run

25.4 Khurram to Irfan, no run

25.5 Khurram to Irfan, SIX, flat skimmer of immense power hit back over the Khurram's head

25.6 Khurram to Irfan, no run

End of over 26 (7 runs) Hong Kong 163-5, need 40 off 9

26.1 Shadeep to Butt, no run

26.2 Shadeep to Butt, no run

26.3 Shadeep to Butt, no run

26.4 Shadeep to Butt, FOUR, shimmies down the track and playes inside-out to find the boundary

26.5 Shadeep to Butt, no run

26.6 Shadeep to Butt, no run

End of over 27 (4 runs) Hong Kong 167-5, they need 36 off 8 at 4.50 an over

27.1 Khurram to Irfan, no run

27.2 Khurram to Irfan, no run. ball squirts off the face but not near a fielder Widespread field

27.3 Khurram to Irfan, one run, to mid-on

27.4 Khurram to Butt, no run

27.5 Khurram to Butt, one run, down to long-off

27.6 Khurram to Irfan, OUT! Stumped by Amjad Ali, Irfan came charging out and missed the ball completely

End of over 28 (2 runs) Hong Kong 169 for 6, they need 34 off 7. UAE need four wickets. New batsman is Moner Ahmed (RHB). A hitter!

28.1 Shadeep to Butt, no run

28.2 Shadeep to Butt, no run

28.3 Shadeep to Butt, leg-bye

28.4 Shadeep to Moner, no run

28.5 Shadeep to Moner, no run

28.6 Shadeep to Moner, SIX, down on one knee and smashed over mid-wicket

End of over 29 (7 runs) Hong Kong 176-6 off 29, need 27 off 6 at 4.50 an over. UAE need 4 wickets

29.1 Khuram to Butt, no run

29.2 Khuram to Butt, one run

29.3 Khuram to Moner, two runs, crafty late cut to backward point

29.4 Khurram to Moner, one run

29.5 Khurram to Butt, one run

29.6 Khurram to Moner, no run, going for the biggie, doesn't connect

End of over 30 (5 runs) Hong Kong are 181 for 6

30.1 Shadeep to Butt, one run

30.2 Shadeep to Moner,. two runs to cover

30.3 Shadeep to Moner, FOUR, Reverse Sweep! Crazy shot. crazy guy!

30.4 Shadeep to Moner, one run, quick single to square leg

30.5 Shadeep to Butt, one run. quick single, had to hurry, collides with the bowler at his end

30.6 Shadeep to Moner, no run

End of over 31 (9 runs) Hong Kong 190 -6, need 13 runs off 4 overs. UAE need 4 wickets Shadeep Silva 7-0-39-3.

31.1 Khurram to Butt, no run

31.2 Khurram to Butt, one run to backward point

31.3 Khurram to Moner, one run, on one knee and conecrts but not cleanly

31.4 Khurram to Butt, no run

31.5 Khurram to Butt, no run, Butt well forward, takes it on the pad

31.6 Khurram to Butt, one run, comes down the wicket and goes on the ground to long-on.

End of over 32 (3 runs) Hong Kong 193-6, need 10 off 3 overs Khurram Khan - 7-0-40-2. Riaz Khalid back on. Anything can still happen!

32.1 Riaz to Butt, two runs, improvised shot flicked over the keeper

32.2 Riaz to Butt, no run, beaten by one that spins and bounces!

32.3 Riaz to Butt, one run, booming drive attempted, mistimed to mid-on

32.4 Riaz to Moner, OUT! Reverse Sweep attempted. Leg-stump connected. Crazy shot from still a crazy guy! UAE back in with a chance!! Moner Ahmed b Khalid Riaz 17 (12 balls)

Shkwat Ali (RHB) is the new batsman

32.5 Riaz to Ali, no run, beaten outside off

32.6 Riaz to Ali, no run, worked square, looks foro the single, sent back by Butt

End of over 33 (3 runs) Hong Kong 196-7, need 7 off 2 overs. UAE need 3 wickets

Much talk amongst the UAE seniors Zahid Shah (RMF) is brought back on, from the Pavilion End. He looks awfully stiff as he marks out his run-up. 3 wickets between UAE and their first year without an ACC Trophy since 2000. Still a chance for them.

33.1 Zahid to Butt, no run, good ball! Right on the stumps, Butt defends

33.2 Zahid to Butt, two runs. Driven square, two fielders converge.

33.3 Zahid to Butt, two runs, good ball, good on-drive

33.4 Zahid to Butt, no run, big appeal for lbw as the ball kept low. One shot between Hong Kong and glory

33.5 Zahid to Butt, one run, driven to long-on 2 runs wanted

33.6 Zahid to Ali, no run, good ball and better forward defensive.

End of over 33 (5 runs) Hong Kong 201-7

34.1 Riaz to Butt, FOUR, that's it! A full-toss smacked through mid-wicket

Hong Kong win by three wickets!

UAE: 243 for 7 off 50 overs
Hong Kong: 205 for 7 after 34.1 overs (D/L Method - target 203 off 36 overs)

The revised target no doubt helped them somewhat but Hong Kong took everything UAE could give them and they are worthy champions of the ACC Trophy Elite 2008.

UAE bitterly disappointed and Hong Kong, drained by the tension, barely find the strength to celebrate. You've got to play at your max to beat UAE, that Hong Kong did today.

Hong Kong's Najeeb Amar is the Man of the Match.

Thank you for logging on, until next time, this is the ACC from Kinrara.