The local favourites Hong Kong beat UAE convincingly by 16 runs, in the first Plate Semi-Final of the Cathay Pacific/Standard Chartered Cricket Sixes 2001, being played at the Kowloon Cricket Club in Hong Kong, on Sunday.

UAE won the toss and asked Hong Kong to bat first. Kaif Gaury bowled a brilliant first over (1-0-10-1), picking up the valuable wicket of Stuart Brew. Hussain Butt (15) launched an attack on Ahmed Nadeem, striking three fours and a six, only to be dismissed off the last ball of the over (1-0-22-1).

Rahul Sharma blasted Khuram Khan for three sixes and a couple of boundaries to take 26 runs off the third over. Sharma lofted Asim Saeed for a huge six and had to retire not out after making 33 runs. Asim Saeed bowled an excellent fourth over under the circumstances, giving away just 13 runs. Yogesh Mistry too bowled a good last over, which cost only 12 runs. Hong Kong finished with 86/2.

UAE got off to a good start, Gauri smashing three consecutive fours off Stuart Brew (1-0-17-0). Gauri smacked a four and two sixes of the last three balls of the Smith over (1-0-17-0). Hodgson turned things around with one good over (1-0-13-1) picking up the wicket of Saeed- al-Saffar (6 off 7 balls). Kaif Gaury had to retire not out after making 33 runs off just eight balls (5 fours, 2 sixes).

Hodgson bowled a good third over to turn things around in Hong Kongs favour (1-0-14-1). Hussain Butt bowled a brilliant fourth over, giving away just 13 runs. It was left to Sharma to bowl the last over, UAE could manage only 10 runs and lost a wicket to finish on 70/2.

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