Live LoaderVAVEL Live SmallLive Match

13:07 - I have been Brandon Sayer and I hope you have enjoyed Vavel Uk's live commentary of today's game between these two sides. The next match coming up is Scotland - Afghanistan this afternoon. For now goodbye and enjoy the rest of your day. 

13:06 - Sibanda has been named man of the match for his innings of fifty-nine. Well deserved. 

13:05 - It was a brilliant match to begin the tournament between these two sides. Zimbabwe were the favourites going into the game and at the half way mark they would have been happy with 158. Hong Kong pushed them all the way, but just for fell short by 14 runs. Zimbabwe take the two points and go to the top of Group B for now. 

END OF MATCH! Zimbabwe win by 14 runs!

Overs 20: HKG 144-6 Hong Kong only manage to score eight runs of the over. The first four balls of the over only go for two runs. The game was up then and the batsmen only managed to score six from the final two balls. Zimbabwe win the match by 14 runs. 

Tiripano comes back into the bowling attack for Zimbabwe to replace Panyangara to bowl the final over. 

Overs 19: HKG 136-6 A brilliant over from Chatara brings two wickets and he only concedes seven runs. Rath tries to go big second ball of the over, but was caught in the ring by Tiripano. Next ball Nizakat Khan slashed hard, but was caught at third man. Hong Kong require 23 runs from the final over. 

Aizaz comes in at number eight for Hong Kong. 

Wicket for Zimbabwe! Nizakat Khan is gone for a first ball duck. Chatara the bowler. Williams the catcher. 

Nizakat Khan is in at number seven for Hong Kong. 

Wicket for Zimbabwe! Anshuman Rath is gone for thirteen off eight balls. Chatara the bowler. Tiripano the catcher. 

Chatara comes back into the attack for Zimbabwe to replace Tiripano. 

Overs 18: HKG 129-4 Hong Kong manage to get nine runs from the over. The first four balls of the over only go for two runs. Tanwir then fifth ball lines the ball up and smashes a massive six. Hong Kong require 30 runs from the final two overs to win the game. 

Panyangara comes back into the attack for Zimbabwe to replace Chatara. 

Overs 17: HKG 120-4 Hong Kong manage to score fifteen runs from the over, but also a lost a wicket. Atkinson tried second ball of the over to go big, but held out on the boundary to Williams. The rest of the over sees the batsmen smash the ball all over the ground to get twelves runs from it. 

Tanwir Afzal comes in at number six for Hong Kong. 

Wicket for Zimbabwe! Jamie Atkinson is gone for Fifty-three off forty-three balls. Tiripano the bowler. Williams the catcher. 

Tiripano comes back into the bowling attack for Zimbabwe to replace Panyangara.

Overs 16: HKG 106-3 A massive over comes for Hong Kong as they get fifteen runs off the over. Atkinson brings up his fifty in the over after smashing a six second ball followed by a four next ball. Rath then hits a four from the final ball of the over. 

Hundred up for Hong Kong!

Jamie Atkinson brings up his fifty off forty-one balls!

Chatara comes back into the bowling attack for Zimbabwe to replace Raza. 

Overs 15: HKG 91-3 A big over finally comes for Hong Kong as they get thirteen runs form the over. The first ball of the over though, should have been a wicket as Atkinson came down the ground and missed it, but the keeper missed the stumping. Rath then hits a four of the fourth ball of the over. 

Masakadza comes back into the bowling attack for Zimbabwe to replace Panyangara. 

Overs 14: HKG 78-3 A brilliant over from Raza yields a wicket and four runs. The wicket of Chapman is a big scalp as he could do some damage. Chapman saw a full toss and tried to smash it out of the ground, but was caught in the boundary by Sibanda. 

Anshuman Rath comes in at number five for Hong Kong. 

Wicket for Zimbabwe! Mark Chapman is out for nineteen off seventeen balls. Raza the bowler. Sibanda the catcher. 

Overs 13: HKG 74-2 A tight over from the bowler goes for seven runs. The batsmen are running hard between the wickets to turn singles into twos. Hong Kong need a lot more than that though. 

Panyangara comes back into the bowling attack for Zimbabwe to replace Masakadza. 

Overs 12: HKG 67-2 Eight runs come from that over. Chapman advances down the pitch fourth ball of the over and smashes a boundary. The rest of the over only goes for four runs. 

Sikander Raza comes into the bowling attack for Zimababwe to replace Williams. 

Overs 11: HKG 59-2 A much better over for the Hong Kong batsmen. Chapman goes big from the third ball of the over hitting a well timed four. Next ball Chapman then smashes a huge six. More overs like that is needed for Hong Kong. 

Overs 10: HKG 48-2 Williams bowls yet another tight over as he only concedes three singles from it. The batsmen are trying to get the big shots away, but they just can't time it yet. 

Overs 9: HKG 45-2 A brilliant over from the bowler as he gets a wicket and only concedes two runs. Babar tried to smash Masakadza for six from the first ball of the over, but was out plumb LBW. The rest of the over is tight as the batsman struggled to get the ball away. 

Mark Chapman comes in at number four for Hong Kong. 

Wicket for Zimbabwe! Babar Hayat is gone for nine off twelve balls. Masakadza got him out LBW. 

Overs 8: HKG 43-1 A big over for the Hong Kong batsman as they manage to score eleven runs from the over. Atkinson once against shows his intent and smashes a big six off the fifth ball of the over. For the rest of the over the batsman just nudges it around. 

Sean Williams comes into the bowling attack to replace Chatara. 

Overs 7: HKG 32-1 A bit of aggression from Atkinson almost brings his downfall as he sweeps hard and should have been caught, but instead it went for a boundary. The rest of the over went for four runs. 

Wellington Masakadza comes into the bowling attack for Zimbabwe to replace Tiripano. 

Overs 6: HKG 24-1 Another tight over only goes for five runs. Atkinson smashes a four of the second ball of the over, but for the rest of the over they couldn't get it away. Powerplay is now over and it's a poor start. 

Overs 5: HKG 19-1 The pressure pays off for the Zimbabwe bowlers as Campbell tries the big shot of Tiripano, but only hits it straight to Masakadza. The rest of the over only goes for four runs. 

Babar Hayat comes in at number three for Hong Kong. 

Wicket for Zimbabwe! Ryan Campbell is gone for nine of nineteen balls. Tiripano the bowler. Hamilton Masakadza the catcher. 

Tiripano comes back into the attack for Zimbabwe to replace Panyangara. 

Overs 4: HKG 15-0 A very good first over from Chatara only goes for one run. The bowler came in and straight away found a good length. Hong Kong falling behind the rate. 

Chatara comes into the bowling attack for Zimbabwe to replace Tiripano. 

Overs 3: HKG 14-0 Finally a sign of aggression from the Hong Kong batsman as they score nine runs from the over. Campbell had been struggling to time the ball until the fourth ball of the over when played a pull shot for four. Atkinson then hits a boundary from the final ball of the over. 

Overs 2: HKG 5-0 Another tight over from the bowler as he only concedes three runs from the over. Perfect start for Zimbabwe. There is some movement for the bowlers to play with so far. 

Donald Tiripano is opening the bowling from the other end for Zimbabwe. 

Overs 1: HKG 2-0 A good tidy over from the bowler as he only concedes two singles from the first over. Batsman are both seeing how the pitch will play before going big. 

Tinashe Panyangara will open the bowling for Zimbabwe. Jamie Atkinson on strike for Hong Kong. 

HONG KONG 2ND INNINGS

11:12 - Zimbabwe consistently lost wickets throughout the innings, but a brilliant half century from Sibanda and quick fire thirty not out from Chigumbura got Zimbabwe up to 158. It will be a tough chase for Hong Kong, but not impossible. Stay with us as we bring you the second innings very soon!

END OFF 1ST INNINGS. Zimbabwe 158-8. Hong Kong require 159 to win from 20 overs. 

Overs 20: Zim 158-8 A brilliant final over for Zimbabwe as they score fourteen runs from it. Chigumbura hits a massive six off the fifth ball of the over. Big finish to the innings. Will be a tough score to chase. 

Tinashe Panyangara comes in at number ten for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Wellington Masakadza is gone for two off five balls as he is run out.

Haseeb Ahmed comes back into the attack for Hong Kong to replace Nadeem. 

Overs 19: Zim 144-7 Finally a big over for the batting side as Chigumbura finally gets in and hits two massive sixes off consecutive balls. Fifteen from the over. Decent score so far. 

Overs 18: Zim 129-7 Another brilliant over from Hong Kong as it only goes for three runs and a wicket. The wicket was beauty from Nadeem as he gets Tiripano out plumb LBW. 

Wellington Masakadza comes in at number nine for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Tiripano it out for a duck off two balls. Nadeem got him LBW. 

Nadeem comes back into the bowling attack for Hong Kong to replace Rath. 

Overs 17: Zim 126-6 A fabulous over from the bowler goes for three runs, but he also gets two wickets from the over. Waller tried to smack the bowler out of the ground, but was only caught on the boundary by Tanwir. The problem then was Sibanda the set batsman tried to hit a big six, but was out caught by Chapman. 

Donald Tiripano comes in at number eight for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Sibanda is out for fifty-nine off forty-six balls. Aizaz the bowler. Chapman the catcher. 

Elton Chigumbura comes in at number seven for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Malcolm Waller is out for twenty-six off twenty-nine balls. Aizaz the bowler. Tanwir the catcher. 

Aizaz comes back into the bowl of attack to replace Nadeem. 

Overs 16: Zim 123-4 A much better over for the Zimbabwe batsmen as they get twelve runs from the over. Sibanda goes big again with a massive six of the final ball of the over. 

Anshuman Rath comes into the bowling attack for Hong Kong to replace Campbell. 

Overs 15: Zim 111-4 Sibanda finally releases the pressure with a big straight six of the second ball of the over. The six brought up Sibanda's fifty. The rest of the over only goes for four runs. 

Fifty for Sibanda off forty balls!

Overs 14: Zim 101-4 Another quick and tight over only goes for six runs. The batsman just can't get the big shots away. Campbell finishes his spell with no wickets for twenty-six runs. 

Hundred comes up for Zimbabwe! 101-4. 

Overs 13: Zim 95-4 A brilliant over from the bowler only goes for three singles. The over was fast and the batsmen just couldn't get the ball away in the gaps. Big final few overs coming up. 

Nadeem comes back into the bowling attack to replace Aizaz. 

Overs 12: Zim 92-4 A better over for Zimbabwe this time as the batsmen manage to get eight runs from the over. The big shots aren't on show yet, but the partnership was beginning to build which is what was needed. 

Overs 11: Zim 84-4 A good tight over from the bowler only goes for seven runs. The batsmen don't seem to be able to time the ball very well. 

Overs 10: Zim 77-4 The first ball of the over is a gift of a full toss which Waller hits to the boundary. The rest of the over is much tighter and only goes for two runs. 

Overs 9: Zim 71-4 The first four balls are tight and only go for two runs. Sibanda then decides to go big and hits a boundary of the fifth ball. The final ball of the over goes for two. Eight runs come from the over. 

Aizaz comes into the bowling attack for Hong Kong to replace Tanwir. 

Overs 8: Zim 63-4 The over is a tight one as it only goes for six runs. Raza hits a good shot down the ground of the fifth ball of the over, but he's too slow coming back for a second and was run out. 

Malcolm Waller comes in at number six for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Sikander Raza is run out for three off four balls. Babar the fielder. 

Ryan Campbell comes into the attack for Hong Kong replacing Nadeem. 

Overs 7: Zim 57-3 Tanwir bowls his fourth over in a row. The over is a good one as only four runs come from it. Williams tried to hit a big shot from the first ball of the over, but dragged it onto his stumps. Tanwir finishes his spell which is a good one going for eighteen runs getting two wickets. 

Sikander Raza comes in at number five for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Sean Williams is out for twelve off five balls bowled by Tanwir. 

Overs 6: Zim 53-2 The Zimbabwe batsmen straight away target the spinner. Williams hits a reverse sweep for four from the third ball of the over. Ten comes from the final over of the power play. 

Nadeem Ahmed comes into the bowling attack for Hong Kong to replace Amjad 

Overs 5: Zim 43-2 A much better over from the bowler as it only goes for five runs. Mutumbami decides to go big from the second ball of the over and is caught on the boundary. The final ball of the over goes for a boundary after an under edge from Williams goes for four. 

Sean Williams is in at number four for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Richmond Mutumbami is out for a duck off three balls. Tanwir the bowler. Nadeem the catcher. 

Overs 4: Zim 38-1 Sibanda goes big from the first ball of the over smashing it for a boundary. He then smashes two more boundaries from the over. Poor control from the Hong Kong bowlers so far. Thirteen from the over. 

Overs 3: Zim 25-1 Masakadza continues from where he left off from the last over with a lovely shot for a boundary. Next ball though terrible running from Masakadza leads in him being run out as he fails to ground his bat. Sibanda though smashes a boundary off the fourth ball. Nine from the over. 

Richmond Mutumbami is in at number three for Zimbabwe. 

Wicket for Hong Kong! Masakadza is run out for twenty off thirteen balls. Babar the fielder to hit the stumps. 

Overs 2: Zim 16-0 The over begins with two dot balls. Masakadza then decides it's time to unleash as he hits a boundary of the third ball of the over. He then smashes the next ball for a big six, before hitting another boundary next ball. Fifteen from the over. 

Haseeb Amjad opens the bowling for Hong Kong from the other end. 

Overs 1: Zim 1-0 Good tight over to start from Tanwir with only a single coming from it. The pitch looks to be playing slow. 

Tanwir Afzal will open the bowling for Hong Kong. Hamilton Masakadza on strike for Zimbabwe. 

ZIMBABWE 1ST INNINGS

09:26 - Both teams are out to sing their national anthems. The time has come for the start of the tournament!

09:17 - Hong Kong team: J Atkinson, R Campbell, B Hayat, M Chapman, A Rath, N Khan, K Shah, T Afzal, A Khan, H Amjad, N Ahmed

09:16 - Zimbabwe team: H Masakadza, V Sibanda, R Mutumbami, S Williams, M Waller, S Raza, E Chigumbura, D Tiripano, T Panyangara, W Masakadza, T Chatara

09:06 - Hong Kong have won the toss and have chosen to bowl first!

08:58 - Here comes the toss!

The key players to look out for during the game is Mark Chapman, the young left hander, who is only 21 years of age and is on the rise is the one to watch out for. The key player for Zimbabwe will be their opener Mazakadza who has taken over the reigns of captaincy from Chigumbura before the tournament. The opener has an average of 31 which shows he can be a dangerous batsman on his day.

The two sides head into the game in different kinds of form with Zimbabwe defeating Ireland in a warm up match in Dharamsala on the 5th March by six wickets thanks to a billiant innings by opener Hamiton Mazakadza who made 68 not out. Hong Kong head into the game after four straight defeats in the shortest form of the game. The main thing though will be who can get off to the best start and put the other team under pressure. 

Hong Kong have a history of causing shocks in these major tournaments after defeating Bangladesh in the 2014 tournament by two wickets in the group stage. Bangladesh were put into bat first and made 108 all out. Hong Kong then in reply chased the score down with two balls remaining causing huge celebrations from the whole team.

The two sides have recent history with Hong Kong coming out on top in a warm-up game before the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh by four wickets. Zimbabwe batted first making 153/7 thanks to some late order hitting from Elton Chigumbura who made a quickfire forty-five off twenty-eight balls. Hong Kong chased the score down with six wickets remaining thanks to a half century from Mark Chapman.

Mark Chapman in action during his match winning innings against Zimbabwe in 2014 | Photo: ICC.com
Mark Chapman in action during his match winning innings against Zimbabwe in 2014 | Photo: ICC.com

The key for the two teams starting the tournament well will be how they play spin as in India it will be one of the big dangers to the batsmen. One of the big things also will be the big crowds in India as they love their cricket so the atmosphere will be something most of the players will witness for the first time.

The first round of the tournament begins with the first game in Group B which sees Zimbabwe face Hong Kong from Nagpur who are in the group alongside Scotland and Afghanistan. In this group Zimbabwe are probably the favourites to get through, but in high pressure games that is not always the case. Hong Kong will be looking to get off to a fast start and cause more suprises as they already shown in previous tournaments. The winner of Group B will join Group 1 in the main tournament along side the likes of England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies

Hello and welcome to Vavel UK's live coverage of the first match of the World T20 tournament between Zimbabwe and Hong Kong. We're awaiting the toss, which is set for 9.00AM UK time, so stay with us for that before the game gets underway.

VAVEL Logo
About the author