Top 5 moments of the Asia Cup Qualifiers

The Asia Cup 2018 Qualifiers was scheduled between 29 August - 6 September 2018. It was a tournament involving six teams out of which two teams have ODI status.

The six teams were United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Hong Kong, Oman, Malaysia and Singapore. The tournament was organized in Malaysia.

Hong Kong defeated the United Arab Emirates by 2 wickets in the final and qualified for the Asia Cup 2018 which is organized in the United Arab Emirates.

Here’s a look at the top five moments from the tournament.

---

#1 Upsets on Day 1

The 1st match of the tournament was a clash between Hong Kong and Malaysia. Malaysia won the toss and decided to field first. Syazrul Idrus, Pavandeep Singh and Suharril Fetri were the star performers with the ball and picked 3 crucial wickets each. The opposition was bundled out for 161. In reply, Malaysia did not begin well as they were also losing wickets. However, a sensible knock of 49 runs by Shafiq Sharif ensured their win in the tournament.

The 2nd match was the encounter between Nepal and Oman. Oman won the toss and decided to field first. Bilal Khan, Mohammad Nadeem and Ajay Lalcheta proved their captain's decision right and they picked up 2 crucial wickets. As a result, Nepal stumbled to a score of 221 of their 50 overs. In reply, Oman had a good start. A knock of 84 runs by Khawar Ali steer the team to a win in the tournament.

#2 UAE scored the lowest total

The Anshuman Rath led Hong Kong took on Rohan Mustafa’s UAE. The game was held at UKM-YSD Cricket Oval, Bangi. UAE won the toss and elected to field first.

Anshuman Rath and Babar Hayat were the match winners with the bat as they scored a century each. As a result, Hong Kong was able to put up a respectable score of 275 runs in 50 overs.

In reply, Ehsan Khan had a great day with the ball as he picked up the crucial wickets of the big-hitting Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Abdul Shakoor and Ahmed Raza. As a result, UAE innings folded with 93 runs on the scoreboard.

#3 UAE pull off a close win

The 14th match was the encounter between the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Oman won the toss and invited UAE to bat.

Oman had a good day with the ball and the middle order did not trouble the scorers much. However, 71-run knock by Rohan Mustafa helped to put up a score of 208 runs in 50 overs.

209 was an easy target for Oman and they could have achieved it comfortably. But, Mohammad Naveed, Amir Hayat and Rohan Mustafa have some other plans. They picked up 2 wickets each. As a result, Oman stumbled to a score of 195 of 47.2 overs and fell short of the target by 13 runs.

#4 Nepal's lowest total in the tournament

Nepal took on Hong Kong in the 15th match at UKM-YSD Cricket Oval, Bangi. Paras Khadka won the toss and elected to bat first.

Nepal's innings was not so impressive as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Ehsan Khan was the star performer with the ball as he picked up four wickets. As a result, Nepal stumbled to a score of 95 of their 37.5 overs.

In reply, Hong Kong did not begin well as they were also losing wickets. Sandeep Lamichhane picked up the crucial wickets of Christopher Carter, Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah and Ehsan Khan. But his effort went in vain as a 52-run knock by Anshuman Rath helped to win the match and qualify for the finals.

#5 Upset on the finals

UAE took on Hong Kong in the finals of the tournament at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur. Anshuman Rath won the toss and elected to field first.

UAE got off to a good start. But, there was a middle order collapse. Aizaz Khan was the star performer with the ball by dismissing Rohan Mustafa, Rameez Shahzad, Muhammad Usman, Adnan Mufti and Mohammad Naveed. However, 79-run knock by Ashfaq Ahmed helped to put up a score of 176 runs in 24 overs.

In reply, Hong Kong had a good start. But, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The middle order kept hopes alive for Hong Kong. As a result, Hong Kong won the match by 2 wickets and qualified for the Asia Cup 2018.