The second game of the T20 World Cup on Thursday is a must win match for Hong Kong. They take on Afghanistan in one of the most important matches in the history of both nations and that makes it an intriguing tussle.
Afghanistan had to ride an early storm in Scotland’s batting innings but for a side who have shown a tendency to break down in the big matches it was to their credit that they came through and got the job done and if they replicate that result here they will know their destiny remains in their own hands.
Hong Kong were beaten by Zimbabwe in their first game in the tournament so they know if they lose here it is all over for them as far as their chances of making the main draw are concerned so the pressure is really on. In fairness they weren’t outclassed by Zimbabwe they just need to improve their quality in the last three overs of each innings.
I wouldn’t think Afghanistan would rush into too many changes although they might bring the slightly more awkward to face style of Shapoor Zadran into the side after they were carted all around Nagpur early on by the Scotland openers on Tuesday. Their batting went well and I expect that to be unchanged.
Hong Kong put up a decent enough effort to warrant keeping with the same side. If they do make changes I would imagine it would be to find some power towards their middle to lower order with the bat but by and large they just need to tighten up in the crucial moments to be competitive here.
I’ve not bet on a match outcome in this tournament yet but I’m going to do it here. I’ve just got this niggling feeling that Afghanistan are going to come unstuck here. They have a history of not being handle the pressure of the big occasion and they’ve lost twice to Hong Kong in the last nine months so there is nothing for Hong Kong to fear here.
I’m not surprised Hong Kong have turned Afghanistan over. They match up well to them. Afghanistan like to get away from sides early with Mohammad Shahzad a big hitter but Hong Kong have some tight bowlers up top who can keep things tight and force mistakes out of the opposition.
Afghanistan are still an Associate nation, albeit one of the better ones, but like all sides at this level they rely heavily on a small set of key players. If Shahzad fails here then Afghanistan could go with him. At 3/1 a value bet on Hong Kong is the right play here.
I’m also going to take the performance of Hong Kong’s wicket keeper Jamie Atkinson. Atkinson really impressed in the first match against Zimbabwe. He made a fluent 50 even though he wasn’t timing it brilliantly to begin with.
Atkinson has a decent record against Afghanistan. In two T20s against them he has made 31 and 47 with the bat which is positive when his performance line for this match is only 29. You would think Hong Kong’s spinners will be in play more as this tournament goes along so Atkinson could even take an enormous chunk out of this line with a stumping.
Be it with bat or gloves we saw enough on Tuesday and there is enough history to suggest a target of 29pts is well within his reach here.
Back Hong Kong to beat Afghanistan for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with Skybet
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Back J.Atkinson’s Performance Pts – 29&Over for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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