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Hong Kong made a flying start to the Men’s East Asia Cup, winning both their matches on the opening day of the tournament.

In the morning they swept passed China, winning comfortably by 123 runs in the first ever T20 International match between the two teams. However, things did not go all their way in the afternoon against Japan.

The two teams had met for the first time in the Asian Games last year, but is the first year that the full Hong Kong team have participated in the Men’s East Asia Cup. With Japan batting first, they were taken on by captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming.

Striking the ball as cleanly as ever, Kadowaki-Fleming hit six boundaries and five sixes, several out of the ground, on his way to a 53-ball 78.

After his dismissal the attack was taken up by Declan Suzuki-McComb who hit a career best 45* from 23 balls alongside Ibby Takahashi (20* from 11) in an unbroken stand of 60 from just 25 balls.

A final total of 179 for five had the visitors in confident mood, but for the second match running they ran into batters in fine form.

Jamie Atkinson had struck 156 the previous day in a local club match, and picked up where he left off with a 36-ball 68* coming in at number five. His stand of 127 from just 64 balls with Babar Hayat (52* off 30), came after Martin Coetzee made set the tone with a rapid 35 from 18 before being freakishly run-out by Sabaorish Ravichandran.

Those two would ultimately see Hong Kong home with seven wickets in hand and almost four overs to spare, suggesting that it could be a week of high scoring at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

Japan will have a double header tomorrow, taking on China in the morning before a re-match with Hong Kong in the afternoon.

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