Scots slump as Hong Kong turn up the heat

Lacklustre Scotland yesterday slumped to defeat against Hong Kong in the opening match of their ODI Tri-series in Abu Dhabi.

The Scots, perhaps still suffering a hangover from their Desert T20 thumping at the hands of Ireland on Friday, limped to just 205 all out with eight balls remaining.

Their bowlers were then powerless to prevent Hong Kong from cruising to their target with seven wickets and 34 balls to spare.

Yet, the Scots made a solid start as skipper Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross put on 49 runs for the first wicket, but it was to prove the only meaningful partnership as wickets began to tumble at regular intervals.

Coetzer was first to go, bowled by Tanveer Ahmed for 27 and, when Calum Macleod and Josh Davey fell in quick succession, Scotland were forced on to the back foot.

Cross went on to make 44 while Forfarshire’s Craig Wallace top-scored with 53, but the Scots, for whom Con de Lange finished 20no before being forced to retire hurt, failed to bat out their overs as Nadeem Ahmed claimed four for 33.

Davey made an early breakthrough to raise Scottish hopes while there were also successes for Brad Wheal and Chris Sole, but an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 97 between Babar Hayat (79no) and Waqas Khan (35no) carried Hong Kong to a comfortable win.

The Scots will bid to bounce back when they face UAE in Dubai tomorrow.