Babar Hayat’s team play three matches in 24 hours, winning their last two with City Kaitak also victorious
Kowloon Cantons endured a gruelling three matches in 24 hours, winning two of them, to reach the final of the DTC Hong Kong T20 Blitz on Saturday at Mission Road. Cantons had a punishing schedule, losing to Hung Hom JD Jaguars on Friday evening before returning at 7.45am on Saturday for the first of two emphatic victories. After beating Hong Kong Island United by 44 runs, they completed their round-robin programme with a thumping 64-run win over Galaxy Gladiators Lantau – now out of the tournament – with captain Babar Hayat smashing 62. They have six points from four matches, ensuring a place in the final. “It wasn’t easy playing two T20 matches in a day but we were up for it and if you are fit enough it can be done,” said Hayat, also the Hong Kong senior captain. “We are happy to be in the final, we knew we had to bounce back after losing on Friday but we knew we had the players to do it.” Reaching the final is a major achievement for Cantons who suffered a number of setbacks in the lead-up to the tournament, losing key players such as Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi and English fast bowler Tymal Mills. They will play one of three teams in the final – City Kaitak, Jaguars or HKI United. Kaitak, with four points, are the favourites and face HKI United in the final group match on Sunday morning.
