After more than a decade of dedication and planning, the Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club (DLSWCC) finally saw its dream realized with the soft opening of its brand-new cricket ground at Shek Kip Mei Fresh Water Reservoir 2. On the afternoon of October 19, 2025, the DLSW Cricket Ground (DLSW-CG) hosted its inaugural match, a U17 Premier League clash between the DLSW U17 Tigers and the Link Eagles U17. The occasion was more than just a game—it was a celebration of perseverance, community spirit, and the promise of a bright future for youth cricket in Hong Kong.

The match itself was nothing short of a thriller. The Link Eagles won the toss and opted to bat first under clear skies and a cautious atmosphere. Their openers got off to a dream start, building a formidable 128-run partnership. Mohammad Naheel Awan was the standout performer, peppering the boundary with regular sixes and anchoring the innings with authority. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Tigers’ captain Preet Mangukiya broke the opening stand, triggering a sudden collapse. In a stunning turn, the Eagles lost three wickets without adding a single run—Rehman Haseeb-ur and Mohammad Abuzar Ali both dismissed for ducks.

Despite the setback, Naheel continued to fight, forming a brief partnership with Yaseen. But the Tigers’ bowlers tightened their grip. Jaival Patel bowled Yaseen for 14, and Preet returned to dismiss Naheel just four runs short of a century. From a position of dominance, the Eagles found themselves in trouble. The Tigers’ fielding was sharp, and their bowling relentless, choking the run flow and dismantling the middle and lower order. The Eagles were eventually bowled out for 178 in just 27.3 overs—a total that once seemed destined to be much higher.

Chasing 179, the Tigers began confidently. Openers Shrey and Pratham stitched together a solid 45-run stand before a sharp piece of fielding resulted in Pratham’s run-out. Shrey followed soon after, caught at extra cover while attempting an ambitious lofted shot. At 51 for 2 in 10 overs, the chase was delicately poised. Jaival and Preet then steadied the innings, pushing the score to 111. But just as the Tigers seemed to be cruising, disaster struck. Jaival was trapped LBW by a delivery that kept low, and in a cruel twist, both Shanzeen and Preet fell on the same score, leaving the Tigers reeling.

The middle and lower order crumbled under pressure. Bhavik, Maryam, Zain, and Pransh all departed cheaply, and the scoreboard read a worrying 132 for 9. With just one wicket in hand and 47 runs still required, the Tigers’ hopes looked all but extinguished. Yet, in the face of adversity, two unlikely heroes emerged—Vir Bavishi and Khalil ur Rehman. Together, they mounted a gritty and composed partnership, mixing solid defense with timely aggression. Khalil held firm at one end, while Vir began to find gaps and boundaries, inching the Tigers closer to an improbable win.

As the match reached its climax, the tension was palpable. With two overs remaining, the Tigers needed just five runs, but the Eagles needed only one wicket. Rehman Hussain bowled a tight penultimate over, conceding just a single run. The final over began with three dot balls, the pressure mounting with every delivery. Then, on the fourth ball, Vir stepped up and launched a towering six over mid-wicket, sealing a sensational one-wicket victory for the Tigers. The crowd erupted, the players rushed the field, and the DLSW-CG had its first unforgettable memory etched into its history.

Though the ground is still in its early stages, with a rough outfield and room for improvement, the spirit and energy it witnessed on its opening day were nothing short of inspiring. The DLSW Cricket Ground is set to become a cornerstone for youth cricket in Hong Kong—a place where talent is nurtured, dreams are chased, and moments like these become legends.