ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier | Scorecard
Hong Kong beat the United States of America by 67 runs in the 44th match of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday (November 22).

Nizakat Khan of Hong Kong scored 57 in 38 balls. Photo ICC

Put in to bat, Hong Kong lost Irfan Ahmed (8) and Waqas Barkat (20), its openers, with just 43 runs on the board, but James Atkinson and Nizakat Khan then collaborated for 118 runs to help Hong Kong post 169 for 4 in its 20 overs.

Atkinson smashed a 52-ball 74 with three fours and five sixes, while Nizakat scored 57 in 38 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes along the way.

Chasing 170, USA got off to a slow start and lost openers Steven Taylor (23) and Fahad Babar (10) off consecutive deliveries with just 29 runs on the board. Hong Kong kept picking up wickets at regular intervals and with no significant partnership taking shape, USA was bowled out for 102 in the last over. Munir Dar, the left-arm spinner, finished with figures of 4 for 17 in 3.1 overs.

With the win, Hong Kong regained its second position in Group A and will now play Ireland while USA, currently seventh, will face the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

Points table
Group A

Mat

Won

Lost

Tied

N/R

Pts

Net RR

Ireland

6

5

0

0

1

11

+1.620

Hong Kong

6

5

1

0

0

10

+1.235

United Arab Emirates

5

4

1

0

0

8

+0.930

Namibia

5

2

3

0

0

4

-0.178

Italy

5

1

3

0

1

3

-0.098

Uganda

6

1

4

0

1

3

-1.420

United States of America

6

1

4

0

1

3

-1.836

Canada

5

1

4

0

0

2

-0.492

Group B

Mat

Won

Lost

Tied

N/R

Pts

Net RR

Afghanistan

6

5

1

0

0

10

+1.113

Netherlands

6

4

2

0

0

8

+1.072

Kenya

5

3

2

0

0

6

+2.385

Nepal

6

3

3

0

0

6

+0.248

Scotland

6

3

3

0

0

6

-0.185

Papua New Guinea

6

2

3

0

1

5

-0.360

Bermuda

5

2

3

0

0

4

-1.304

Denmark

6

0

5

0

1

1

-2.941