'Two of the best days of our lives': Hong Kong ready for challenge of India and Pakistan

Earlier this month, Hong Kong lost a match against Jersey, an island whose entire population would fit inside the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with room to spare.

On Wednesday, they will face the might of cricket’s most populated nation when they play India in Dubai.

It would be understandable if they were feeling a sense of trepidation, given all the gilded names they will be confronted with, as well as India’s “Blue Billion” supporters.

And yet Hong Kong are approaching it without fear. After all, they did give their celebrated combatants a real scare the last time they met on the same patch of turf, back at the 2018 Asia Cup.

The Associate side looked well placed to produce the ultimate shock when they were 174 for no loss, chasing 286 in what was a 50-over game at Dubai International Stadium.

The Indians brought their experience to bear as they closed out a 26-run win, but Hong Kong had proved they were worthy opponents.

Now, having qualified to be here from a four-team event involving UAE in Muscat last week, they will get another shot at glory.

“The way we are approaching these games, there is no intent on our side to be making up the numbers,” Scott McKechnie, Hong Kong’s wicketkeeper, said.

“We pushed India pretty hard in 2018 and we plan to do the same again. They are two incredible oppositions, first and third in this format, so we are realistic.

“They are two very tough games of cricket, but you never know. Everyone loves an underdog, right?”

Hong Kong wicketkeeper Scott McKechnie during the World Cup Qualifier against Oman at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in October 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Hong Kong do have recent form for upsetting odds. They had to beat UAE to reach this Asia