“Nervous” Hong Kong were outplayed in a bruising 76-run loss to Uganda on Thursday that has left their ODI and 2027 World Cup hopes dangling by a thread.

Chasing 277 to win at Kowloon Cricket Club, Hong Kong collapsed from 38 for 0 to 56 for five in a catastrophic 10.4-over spell.

Uganda’s Alpesh Ramjani, who started the procession when he trapped Martin Coetzee in front, claimed four for 18, to add to his rollicking 68 with the bat.

While jubilant Uganda strengthened their grip on Cricket World Cup Challenge League B’s top spot, Hong Kong were left to consider the ramifications of what Simon Willis, the head coach, called “a disappointing day at the office”.

Willis refused to label Sunday’s meeting with second-placed Italy a “must win”, but defeat against the team that thumped them by 155 runs in November’s opening leg would, in all probability, condemn Hong Kong to one-day international exile for another five years.