Hong Kong thrash Vanuatu to keep World Cup hopes alive going into the final day's play

A brilliant display of swing bowling by Niaz Ali and Aizaz Khan saw Hong Kong rout Vanuatu for just 28 runs at the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier today. Hong Kong's victory by eight wickets keeps alive their hopes of reaching the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup to be played in New Zealand.

Hong Kong put the disappointments of the last few days - which firstly saw their skipper James Atkinson reprimanded for beaches of the ICC Code of Conduct and, secondly, Canada grab one of the two remaining qualifying places - behind them as they strode out to face the Vanuatu team. Both teams were still in the running for the final qualification spot but a loss by Vanuatu today would see them eliminated, while a loss by Hong Kong would leave them relying on other results to have any chance of progressing further.

On to the game itself and Vanuatu won the toss and elected to bat but they were immediately on the back foot when Niaz Ali cleaned bowled opener Lazaro Carlot from the first ball of the innings. Little did they know at that stage that no less than six Vanuatu batsmen would fail to score in a rout that saw the Vanuatu team dismissed for just 28 runs in 9.2 overs. The Vanuatu batsmen had no answer to the pace, swing and accuracy of Hong Kong's opening bowlers with left-armer Niaz Ali claiming 5-13 in a brilliant 5 over spell and Aizaz Khan equally lethal in picking up 5-14 from 4.2 overs.

Hong Kong had little trouble knocking off the required runs in just 8.3 overs, although they did lose two wickets in the process. Vikash Gope (12*) and Irfan Ahmed (11*) saw Hong Kong home in just 8.3 overs.

Scorecard: Hong Kong Under-19 v. Vanuatu Under-19

Uganda did themselves and Hong Kong a huge favour by beating Netherlands in another of today's matches. That result leaves the Netherlands on the same number of points as Hong Kong and Uganda with net run-rate the differentiator. Hong Kong's quick-fire victory improved their run-rate significantly and they now sit in the best position to claim the final qualifying spot (should it come down to a run-rate calculation) with only the final round of matches to play.

In Sunday's games, Hong Kong takes on USA while Netherlands face Papua New Guinea. Uganda can't improve their position as they have already finished their full quota of matches but Hong Kong could still advance even if they and Netherlands both lose their final matches. Whatever happens, it'll be a tense final day for the teams and all their supporters.