A run-feast at Kowloon Cricket Club was headlined by a blazing century from 20 year old Hong Kong international Kinchit Shah, who continued his dominant start to the season in the Elite League.
Shah smashed 132 off 79 balls in an innings that included 12 fours and 9 sixes. The knock helped KCC Templars post 306-8 from 49 overs against Hong Kong Cricket Club Scorpions who made a valiant chase but fell short on 287-6. James Redmayne starred for the Scorpions scoring 108 off 99 balls in a losing effort.
But for Shah, the century continued a stellar start to the season, which has seen him score 271 runs in five innings at an average of 90. Those runs have helped him regain a place in the Hong Kong team for the upcoming series against Papua New Guinea.
“Honestly, it’s the hunger to get runs,” Shah said. “I’ve always been told that I would get a nice 30-40 and never get a big score. Yesterday I was in a similar situation where I saw myself getting a quick 35-40, and that’s where I started fighting against myself to ensure I put on a big score and help my team get to 300+.
“It was one of my best innings I’ve played so far in domestic cricket so far but I have also previously scored a 100 in premier league against HKCC at their home ground while chasing 300+ and we won the game!”
Shah’s form surge is no coincidence, during the off-season in India, Shah pushed himself through a brutal training regime, which involved strength sessions in the morning and two hours of cardio at night after work.
“Since the Asia Cup in February, I’ve lost 10 Kilos. I feel as if my feet are moving faster and I am able to push myself better in difficult situations,” Shah said. “After the World Cup, I took some time to reflect upon things. One of the biggest worries I had was my weight and I felt as if I was too heavy. So I knew I didn’t have any more international matches in the next 5-6 months and decided to lose weight. ”
“I am now more confident before going into the PNG series with some runs behind me. But I feel it is important to not let myself relax and I need to start from 0 in every innings I play,” Shah added.
Additional reporting and image: HK Cricket