Hong Kong beat the UAE by two wickets (DLS method) in a rain-affected final of the Asia Cup Qualifier to book their place in the competition later this month.

A stunning five-for from Aizaz Khan helped Hong Kong restrict UAE to 176/9 in 24 overs, the innings affected by a long rain break, before Hong Kong beat the target of 179 with three balls to spare.

Hong Kong, with the benefit of knowing their target, started well with Nizakat Khan (38 off 20) and Anshuman Rath (28 off 25) two of their most destructive batsmen.

The duo added 64 runs in six overs to put Hong Kong on the frontfoot before Rohan Mustafa had Nizakat’s wicket, sending him back for a 20-ball 38.

But Christopher Carter (33 in 32 balls) and Ehsan Khan (29 in 24) made sure the game was swinging back in Hong Kong’s favour with a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket.

It could have gone either way, but Hong Kong held their nerve to seal their spot in the Asia Cup on September 16.

For the UAE, Ashfaq Ahmed played a blinder and was unlucky to finish on the losing team, scoring 79 in 51 balls.