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The second T20I match between Hong Kong and Qatar, part of Hong Kong’s tour of Qatar 2025 (two-match series), was played on November 13, 2025, at the Doha University of Science and Technology.
Hong Kong batted first and scored 131/9 in 20 overs after being sent to bat by Qatar. In response, Qatar managed 122/7 in their 20 overs, falling 9 runs short of victory. This result leveled the series 1-1 after Qatar’s narrow 6-run victory in the first match on November 12.
Hong Kong’s batting performance: The innings was a collective effort without a standout century hitter, but contributions from the middle order helped to achieve a defendable total. The reports did not detail specific high scores, but the team lost 9 wickets, indicating the pressure exerted by Qatar’s bowlers. Qatar batting: Mohammad Ahnaff was the standout player, finishing undefeated with 48 runs in approximately 30-35 balls (exact figures vary by report), leading the chase but unable to accelerate enough in the later overs. Saqlain Arshad contributed 4* in a late partnership.
Standing pitching performance: For Hong Kong, Ehsan Khan played a crucial role in the final over, conceding only a few runs and achieving a run-out to seal the victory. His economical pitching limited Qatar’s scoring in the closing stages.
Qatari’s bowlers, including Ikramullah Khan (given the context of the first match, likely similar), exerted pressure but were unable to break Hong Kong’s innings early enough.
No Man of the Match was explicitly named in the available reports, but Ahnaff’s performance and Ehsan Khan’s late efforts were crucial.
The match was a thrilling, low-scoring affair, typical of T20 associate nations cricket, where both teams showed resilience under pressure.
Regarding team rankings and ICC points: As this is a bilateral series between ICC associate members (both from the Asian region), the draw has minimal direct impact on the T20I world rankings.
However, Hong Kong gains a psychological advantage by avoiding defeat in the series, which could boost their performance heading into the regional qualifiers or the 2026 Asian Cup cycle.
Qatar, slightly higher ranked in recent ICC lists, misses the opportunity to consolidate their position but demonstrates a lack of ability to pursue objectives that could affect their future strategies.
Player development: Standout players such as Mohammad Ahnaff (Qatar) and Ehsan Khan (Hong Kong) gain valuable exposure, strengthening their chances of being selected for Asian teams.
For emerging talents, such as Hong Kong’s middle-order batsmen, this series serves as crucial practice against competitive pitchers.
Cricket ecosystem in general: The tour highlights Qatar’s growing cricket infrastructure (e.g., Doha University Stadium), fostering regional ties in West Asia. This also underscores the competitiveness of association cricket, where tight margins (6 and 9 runs in matches) reflect the improved standards following the ICC restructuring.
Series outcome: The 1-1 draw means there is no clear winner, which could lead to calls for a decisive match on future tours. For Hong Kong, recovering from the opening defeat avoids a drop in confidence; for Qatar, the home defeat exposes vulnerabilities in finishing chases on a batsman-friendly pitch.
Strategic adjustments: Qatar could prioritize batting drills in the later overs, as their collapse from a promising position (likely around 80-90 with 4-5 wickets lost) proved costly.
Hong Kong’s pitchers, led by figures like Ehsan Khan, will test their mettle under pressure. With no major penalties or rewards: Unlike high-stakes events, there are no ranking implications or unexpected financial gains, but both teams earn ICC T20I status points proportional to their performance, and Hong Kong is likely to gain a slight advantage from the victory.
