HONG KONG, Nov 1: Pakistan, the six-a-side Hong Kong cricket tournament favourites after victories in 2001 and 2002 lost their opening game against New Zealand.
Their five-wicket defeat means they must beat arch rivals India in the next match to stay in the competition.
Andre Adams was hero for Kiwis, completing a remarkable double-wicket maiden in first over as Imran Nazir and skipper Moin Khan miscued wild slogs.
Pakistan did mount a recovery though - Naveed Latif (22) steadied innings and Azhar Mahmood (26*) tucked into an over from Tama Canning that cost 26 runs.
But New Zealand cruised home, their task made easier by Pakistan’s sloppy fielding. Matt Horne scored a solid 34 from 13 balls, an innings full of neat deflections.
Batting first Pakistan were 78 all out, with Naveed Latif making 22 and Azhar Mahmood scoring 26. Kiwis in reply were 79 without loss, with Horne contributing 34.
Meanwhile, New Zealand topped Pool 1 with third win against India a tight match leaving India facing a do-or-die clash against Pakistan.
India started well, as Ritender Sodhi (31*) and Vinod Kambli (31*) blasted seven sixes in early overs, but then faltered mid-innings as both Kanitkar and Rohan Gavaskar were dismissed for ducks. They reached a competitive 89 for two thanks to Nikal Chopra who stroked 26 from eight balls.
But Kiwis, despite a slight wobble in penultimate over when Sodhi claimed two wickets, powered home. Needing 10 to win from final over bowled by Gavaskar, weakest of Indian bowlers, they won with three balls to spare. Matthew Sinclair, top scored with 33 from nine balls.
Dermot Reeve’s return for Hong Kong side, failed to inspire hosts to opening win, which they desperately needed to achieve ambition of securing place in cup stages for first time. Kiwis required just 65 for victory. Matthew Sinclair bulldozed 33 from just balls.
In another match, Sri Lanka beat Kenya, with Indika de Saram smacking first three balls of the match for six, clumping 30 from opening over bowled by Collins Obuya. Kenya’s slow bowlers were flogged for 109 - one run away from a tournament record.
But Kenya still made a good fist of chase, with Kenndy Otieno (33) and Maurice Odumbe (35) both scoring freely, before a tight final over left them 12 runs short.
India’s first game was easy win against hosts. Their batting was far from impressive. Ritender Sodhi (5) fell cheaply and Vinod Kambli (28) dawdled in early part of innings. HH Kanitkar provided some impetus with 35. But Hong Kong were never in hunt after tight opening overs from Akash Chopra and Rohan Gavskar.
In yet another match, Sri Lanka’s odds shortened further with surprise win against South Africa, second seeds after Pakistan.
It was their bowlers who starred, restricting South Africa to 60 for four Loots Bosman prevented rout with powerful 37. Sri Lanka then waltzed to victory within three overs. Indika de Saram produced some fireworks, cracking 35.
Justin Ontong conceded 35 from his over.—PPI