Scotland and Hong Kong know their fates in the T20 World Cup but they both get one last hurrah at the exclusive ball on Saturday afternoon when they meet in Nagpur to avoid finishing bottom of their group.
Whoever wins this match won’t actually get a reward for it apart from pride although Scotland are trying to get their first win at a major tournament still. This will be their 21st attempt. That might mean the match carries a little more significance for them but Hong Kong are going to be a proud side and I’m sure they’ll want to win.
Scotland’s biggest problem in this tournament has been their bowling. I don’t think that has surprised anyone because their attack always looked wrong for this surface and that is the way it has turned out but they’ve had spots in both matches where they were on top. They’ve thrown their good opportunities away and that is becoming a recurring problem for Preston Mommsen’s men.
Hong Kong really put it up to Zimbabwe in the opening match but couldn’t quite get that big over they needed after Elton Chigumbura whacked them around a little bit. Afghanistan were largely in cruise control against Hong Kong but the minnows never gave up and that attitude should serve them well.
With both sides out of the tournament it would be only fair to give those who have been carrying drinks thus far the opportunity to play some cricket, especially as neither nation plays anywhere near as much cricket as they should be given the chance to. Con de Lange could come in for Scotland.
These two have met three times in this format and Scotland hold a 2-1 win over Hong Kong so this is undoubtedly their best chance to win a game in a World Cup. Of course that will bring its own pressures and I wouldn’t think they will have ever been favourites for a game in a World Cup before so that is a mental thing to overcome.
I think there is value on Hong Kong here. I’m only going to tread carefully because of the potential team changes and the lack of experience of both at the very top level but Hong Kong just seem a big price given that their attack is more suited to the conditions than the Scottish one.
I’ll also chance a top bat in this match too. Jamie Atkinson stole the show in Hong Kong’s opening match with Zimbabwe but I’ve been impressed with Anshy Rath so far in the tournament and I fancy he could go well here.
In the last month the young left hander has made 41* against Afghanistan and he top scored against the same opponent on Thursday too while against Scotland he has his highest ODI score of 97 and a solid 20 not out against them in a T20 match so he likes what he sees from this attack.
Of course Chapman, Atkinson and Campbell are rightly ahead of him in the betting but there is talk of the youngster going up the order. Even if that doesn’t materialise he’s already shown he can top score in this event and at 15/2 he looks fair value to do it again.
Back Hong Kong to beat Scotland for a 3/10 stake at 2.40 with NetBet
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Back A.Rath Top Hong Kong Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 8.50 with Paddy Power
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