Hong Kong made a great start to its World Cup qualification matches with a 17-run win over Scotland in Queenstown yesterday.
The resort is playing host to four matches over the next 11 days in the qualifying tournament which will decide the final two countries for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Ten teams are playing games around the country in Mount Maunganui, New Plymouth, Rangiora, Christchurch and Lincoln, as well as Queenstown.
Scotland was expected to be a major contender, having previously played in World Cups, but it could not chase down a hefty total set by Hong Kong when it was sent in to bat.
Hong Kong scored a competitive 263 for seven wickets off its 50 overs, opener Ifran Ahmed top-scoring with 75.
He was fifth out, having made just under half the runs for his side when he was dismissed.
In reply, Scotland was always struggling to keep up with the run rate of more than five an over.
Preston Mommsen fought a lone hand for the Scottish team and scored a century.
However, he found the target too much and was last man out for a gallant 118.
He hit 13 fours and a six, at better than a run a ball.
Scotland was dismissed in the 49th over.
Scotland will return to play on Thursday when it meets Nepal.
It will then take on the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Hong Kong faces the United Arab Emirates in the final match in Queenstown.
Although Scotland lost yesterday, it is still in the race to finish in the top two.
Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer said after arriving in Queenstown on Sunday, qualification for the World Cup would give the game a boost in the country.
The team is coached by former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood, who has been tipped to join the English set-up, as the fall-out from the Ashes disaster continues.
Of Collingwood, Coetzer said the new coach had ''brought a lot to the team.
''Every coach has slightly different opinions and views as to how things should be done [and] I think he's just embraced that a little bit and tried to give his point of view on certain aspects of the game.
''In terms of skill, he's a very experienced player.''
