Hong Kong have moved into first place on the World Cricket League Championship table after a thumping win over hosts UAE at the ICC Academy in Dubai today.

Batting first again after winning the toss, Hong Kong's innings started with a 63 run partnership between Anshuman Rath and Waqas Barkat which ended when Barkat was stumped for 27. Rath went on to score 53 before being run out, whilst Babar Hayat failed for the first time on the tour, scoring just nine.

Monday's centurion Mark Chapman could only manage 27 this time, and at 173-7 in the 41st over, Hong Kong were looking set for a low score. Captain Tanwir Afzal though had other ideas. He began to smash the ball to all parts, bringing up his fifty in just 24 balls, the equal fifth fastest by a number 8 in ODIs, and third fastest by an associate player at any position in the batting order.

He eventually reached 73 from 33 balls before he was out. Aizaz Khan also joined in, scoring 37 from 31 balls as Hong Kong scored 109 from the last ten overs to take their total to 282-8 from their 50 overs.

The only bright spot of the UAE reply was an innings of 71 by Shaiman Anwar. The next highest score was Abdul Shakoor's 20, and the home side were bowled out for 146, losing by 136 runs. Tanwir Afzal completed a fine all round performance by taking 3-31. He was the obvious choice for the man of the match award.

The next matches for both this teams will both be T20 Internationals against Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Hong Kong will play them on Saturday, whilst UAE will play them on Sunday.