Asian Games cricket: Hong Kong beat Oman by 41 runs to keep QF hopes alive
Synopsis
After a bruising opening loss to Malaysia, Hong Kong produced a clinical all-round display to dismiss Oman for just 80 — collapsing them to 5/3 inside three overs — and win by 41 runs at the Asian Games. The result keeps Hong Kong's quarterfinal hopes alive heading into the final round of Group B fixtures, with Saturday's Malaysia-Oman clash set to determine the shape of the last-eight race.
Key Takeaways
Hong Kong beat Oman by 41 runs at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 25 September in the Asian Games men's cricket event.
Hafeez Khan top-scored for Hong Kong with 33 off 37 balls ; the side posted 121/8 in 20 overs .
Oman collapsed to 5/3 in 2.1 overs before being restricted to 80/6 in their full quota.
Ayush Shukla took 3/23 and Mohammad Ghazanfar claimed 2/10 for Hong Kong with the ball.
Hong Kong sit second in Group B with one win and one loss; Oman face Malaysia on Saturday in the final group game.
Hong Kong bounced back from a heavy opening defeat to register a 41-run win over Oman at the Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin on 25 September, keeping their quarterfinal ambitions very much alive in the Asian Games men's cricket event. The victory — Hong Kong's first of the Group B stage — lifts them to second place in their group as the race for the last-eight slots intensifies.
Hong Kong's Innings: Fighting Total on a Testing Surface
Hong Kong, China posted 121/8 in their allotted 20 overs, a total that proved more than adequate given Oman's batting frailties. Hafeez Khan top-scored with a measured 33 off 37 balls, while Babar Hayat contributed 23 off 25 deliveries to give the innings its backbone. Captain Yasim Wasif and Eshan Khan added crucial late impetus, scoring 18 off 14 and 16 off 10 balls respectively to push Hong Kong beyond the 120-run mark.
For Oman, right-arm off-spinner Mohammed Al Balushi was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs in his four overs. Captain Sufyan Mehmood, Shuaib Al Balushi, Naveed Al Balushi, and Sameer Othman each chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Oman's Chase Derailed Early
Oman's chase never got off the ground. Medium pacer Ayush Shukla struck in the very first over, dismissing Mohammed Al Balushi, and the damage compounded rapidly — Zubair Al Balushi was out for a duck in the second over, and Waheed Al Balushi followed for just 1 in the third, leaving Oman reeling at a precarious 5/3 in 2.1 overs.
Though Shuaib Al Balushi, captain Mehmood, and Abdul Jalil attempted a recovery, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Ayush Shukla finished with 3 wickets for 23 runs, and leg-spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar took 2 wickets for 10 runs. Oman were eventually restricted to 80/6 in their 20 overs — a deficit of 41 runs.
Captain Mehmood was Oman's top scorer with an unbeaten 26 off 35 balls, while Jalil laboured to 15 off 28 deliveries, but their efforts came in a losing cause.
Group B Standings and What's Next
This was Oman's first appearance in the tournament, and the defeat immediately places them in a difficult position. They will face Group B table-toppers Malaysia — who handed Hong Kong their opening-match thrashing — in the final round of group fixtures on Saturday. A win for Malaysia would likely confirm their quarterfinal berth, while Oman would need a victory to keep their own hopes alive.
Hong Kong, meanwhile, will monitor proceedings closely. Sitting second in Group B with one win from two games, their fate may hinge on the Malaysia-Oman result and net run-rate calculations as the group stage concludes.
Brief Scorecard
Hong Kong 121/8 in 20 overs (Hafeez Khan 33 off 37 balls, Babar Hayat 23 off 25 balls; Mohammed Al Balushi 3-17, Sameer Othman 1-23) beat Oman 80/6 in 20 overs (Sufyan Mehmood 26* off 35 balls, Shuaib Al Balushi 20 off 26 balls; Ayush Shukla 3-23, Mohammad Ghazanfar 2-10) by 41 runs.
Point of View
And their quarterfinal fate remains largely out of their hands. The more revealing story is Oman's collapse to 5/3 inside three overs, suggesting a side that was neither acclimatised nor match-ready for their tournament opener. For Asian Games cricket to gain credibility as a pathway sport, the gap between established associate nations and those playing their first tournament game must narrow; Thursday's scoreline suggests it has not.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Hong Kong qualify for the Asian Games cricket quarterfinals?
Not yet. Hong Kong finished the group stage with one win and one loss, sitting second in Group B. Their quarterfinal qualification depends on Saturday's result between Group B leaders Malaysia and Oman, as well as net run-rate calculations.
What was the result of Hong Kong vs Oman at the Asian Games?
Hong Kong beat Oman by 41 runs at Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin on 25 September. Hong Kong posted 121/8 in 20 overs and bowled Oman out for 80/6 in the same number of overs.
Who were the top performers in the Hong Kong vs Oman match?
Hafeez Khan top-scored for Hong Kong with 33 off 37 balls, while Ayush Shukla (3/23) and Mohammad Ghazanfar (2/10) were the standout bowlers. For Oman, Mohammed Al Balushi took 3/17 with the ball, and captain Sufyan Mehmood made an unbeaten 26 in the chase.
What is Oman's next match at the Asian Games cricket event?
Oman face Group B leaders Malaysia on Saturday in their final group stage fixture. A defeat would eliminate them from quarterfinal contention.
Why is this Asian Games cricket result significant?
It keeps Hong Kong's quarterfinal hopes alive after an opening heavy defeat to Malaysia. The Group B standings remain tight, and the final round of fixtures on Saturday will decide which teams advance to the knockout stage.
