South Africa win Hong Kong Sixes

South Africa won the 2009 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes title in dramatic fashion Sunday evening as Farhaan Behardien smashed a six off the final delivery of the tournament to down a gallant Hong Kong.

Set 98 runs to win the title for a third time, the South Africans left it late to claim the trophy as Behardien thumped Mark Wright's final ball into the stands.

The defeat was a cruel blow for a Hong Kong side that had impressed throughout the competition and who went into the final having won all six of their previous matches, including two against South Africa.

Hong Kong made a disappointing start, however, losing captain Najeeb Amar with the first ball of the game and then creeping tentatively through the opening overs. Star man Irfan Ahmad was next to go and the pressure to set a substantial total was threatening to take its toll.

However, Munir Dar steadied the ship for the home side alongside wicketkeeper Hussain Butt, with Dar eventually retiring with an unbeaten 31.

Butt scored 24 before being caught by Behardien off the bowling of Coetzee while Tanwir Afzal claimed 20. The South Africans started confidently, claiming 21 runs off the first over from Dar, but a spectacular spell from Afzal put the result back in the balance.

The 21-year-old picked up the wicket of Loots Bosman with his first ball and two balls later Kleinveldt was heading back to the pavilion after being bowled. By the end of the over, Jacobs had joined Afzal's casualty list, leaving South Africa on 32 for 3. However, the South Africans steadied the ship until the final over, when Wright claimed the wicket of David Wiese to set up a grandstand finish.

Seven runs from the next four balls left South Africa needing six off the final ball to win the title, and Behardien duly obliged, dispatching Wright's half-volleyed delivery over the boundary.

AFP