This day was the semi-final day of the ICC U19 Men's Asian Division 2 Qualifier held in Bangkok, with Group A winners Kuwait facing Hong Kong, 2nd in Group B, and Oman, 1st in Group B, playing Malaysia, 2nd in Group A.
It was supposed to be an exciting day of U19 cricket with a place in the finals and promotion to Asia Division 1 on the line for the two winners.
A thrilling and competitive day of cricket ended with Hong Kong, China defeating Kuwait by 33 points and Oman defeating Malaysia by 19 points. They will meet in Tuesday's final and will now also play in the Asian Division 1 qualifiers.
Hong Kong, China looked to put a total of nearly 200 on the board and got off to a solid start at the TCG with Arya Panjwani winning the toss with three boundaries early on. Hong Kong are 28/0 in 5 overs. Taran Lungani was quiet, but had four hits in a row. Two new bowlers checked the run rate early on with leg-spinner Asmeet Jadhav. Hong Kong, China reached 41 in 10 overs.
As the sky darkened over Hong Kong, China's openers put up a partnership of 50 in 13 overs. With Kuwait holding back off-spinner Yanat Herasliyanage and both their openers reaching boundaries, it was time for the top wicket-taker in the tournament to have a bowl. Hong Kong, China were 75/0 in 20 overs.
Hong Kong and China's patience paid off as they reached 98/0 in 25 overs. The openers scored a partnership of 100 in the next over, with Arya hitting the mid-overs and scoring 50 off 80 balls with his seventh four. The opener was still going well as the score was 120 after 30 overs. They were on course to achieve a great total.
Taran provided great support to his more fluent partner, reaching 50 with 5 fours off 102 balls. However, the early partnership was broken with a score of 139 in 35 overs as Arya was out for 65 off 104 balls with eight boundaries. In Hong Kong, China, captain Shiv Mathur will be at the crease and will aim to accelerate the team.
China's Hong Kong were still in good form as they reached 150 in 38 overs and Talan hit the first six of the match. Hong Kong, China were 167/1 in 40 overs.
A partnership of 50 for the second wicket emerged and Shiv celebrated with a six and a four. He had already reached 40th place as the team were 202/1 with five overs remaining.
Shiv Mathur looked dangerous but was caught at deep midwicket with 43 off 46 balls, five fours and one six. Hong Kong, China were 209/2 with 3 overs remaining.
Talan was strong enough to hit the batsmen throughout the innings, scoring four and two runs in the final over. He scored an unbeaten 85 off 138 balls and it was a great effort for China's Hong Kong, who posted a total of 234/3.