Cricket - Ireland well beaten by Hong Kong

Hong Kong have drawn first blood in their two-match KPC Group T20 series against Ireland following a 40-run win at Bready on Monday.

The visitors made a very competitive 169-5 as they batted first, with Nizakat Khan's 62 and 49 from skipper Babar Hyatt the pick of their innings. Nizakat in particular looked in great touch having made a half century against William Porterfield's team in last week's Intercontinental Cup clash.

And he scored freely here as well- hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes in his 43- ball knock that gave Hong Kong a real platform early on.

Hyatt's 49 came in good time too- 30 balls to be precise- while Ehsan Khan added 29 late on.

Ireland's bowlers struggled at times with Andy McBrine 1-22 and Jacob Mulder 1-25 faring best, although Josh Little did nothing wrong on debut either. Kevin O'Brien and Craig Young were the other wicket takers.

Once they lost skipper William Porterfield as early as the second over the home side were always behind in the chase.

Greg Thompson (44) and Kevin O'Brien (32) did their best to accelerate in the middle overs however some accurate bowling from Aizaz Khan (3-10), Tanvir Afzal (2-18) and Tanveer Ahmed (2-29) meant Ireland were never on top.

The reply finally closed on 129 all out and Porterfield's men will need a much improved display on Tuesday if they hope to level the series.

There was better news earlier in the day for Ireland's Women who got the better of Bangladesh in a low scoring encounter.

Light rain delayed the start with the game reduced to just ten overs a side, with Ireland being asked to bat after Bangladesh won the toss.

Experienced opener Clare Shillington top scored with 26 from 18 balls, hitting four of the five boundaries the 'Girls in Green' managed.

A total of 54 for 8 looked light at the half-way stage, especially when the first delivery of the Bangldesh reply was punched through the covers to the boundary.

However an inspired bowling display meant that was the only boundary conceded in the entire innings as Ireland's attack stuck to their task well.

Lucy O'Reilly (2-5) was the stand-out performer as Bangladesh were restricted to 48 for 6, but it was a real team effort with Isobel Joyce (1-4) and Kim Garth (1-10) the other wicket takers in a superb win.

The teams meet again tomorrow (TUE) at the same venue, starting at 10:30am.


KPC GROUP SERIES

At Magheramason,

Hong Kong 169-5 (20 overs; N Khan 62, B Hyatt 49, E Khan 29)
Ireland 129 all out (19.3 overs; G Thompson 44, K O'Brien 32, A Khan 3-10, T Afzal 2-18, T Ahmed 2-29)
 
Ireland lost to Hong Kong by 40 runs

At Magheramason, 1st  Women's T20 international
Ireland 54-8 (10 overs, C Shillington 26; K K Kobra 3-5)
Bangladesh 48-6 (10 overs, F Hoque 24; L O’Reilly 2-5)

Ireland won by 6 runs