Hong Kong upset Australia in second Sixes clash

A tight last over from medium-pacer Khaled Butt secured hosts Hong Kong a nail-biting four-run win over Australia in the second Sixes clash on Saturday.

Hong Kong batted first after Australian captain Craig McDermott won the toss and put them in. Left-hander Adam Smith made 22 with three fours and one six while Mohammad Zubair supported him with 18 (three fours and one six), as the hosts made 65 before being all out.

The Australian reply got off to a rollicking start, with opener Dene Hills leading from the front with 31 off 14 balls, an innings that was studded with six boundaries. But once he retired in the fourth over, the momentum was lost.

With 10 needed off the last over, Southam and Colin Miller, the former Australian off-spinner, struggled to make headway against a disciplined Butt. The Pakistan-born medium-pacer, conceded just three runs, another two coming off leg-byes, as Hong Kong secured the slenderest of wins. The hosts secured two points for the win to go to the top of Pool B. They now play Pakistan in their next match at 1100 HKT (0530 GMT)