Pakistan joined Afghanistan, India, and Sri Lanka in the super 4 round of the Asia Cup after beating minnows Hong Kong by 155 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. The HK team succumbed before Pakistani bowlers and bundled out for 38 during the chase, Shadab Khan (4/8 of 2.4 ov), and Mohammad Nawaj (3/5 of 2 ov) helped men in the green team to steamroll minnows. Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman hit brilliant half-centuries and guide Pakistan to a commanding 193/2 in 20 overs against HK. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 78 not out off 57 balls, while Zaman scored 53 off 41 balls. Ehsan Khan (2/28) picked two wickets for HK.
Hong Kong won the toss and invited Pakistan to bat. Pakistan got off to a slow start and lost captain Babar Azam (9 off 8 balls) early on team’s 13 scores. Following his dismissal Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman then stunned Hong Kong and stitched a 116-run partnership for the second wicket. Wicketkeeper batter Rizwan (78 off 57 balls; not out), while Zaman (53 off 41 balls) played a gigantic inning.
Zaman was out on Ehsan Khan’s ball who scalped both the Pakistani wickets. Then, Khusdil Shah joined the action in the 17th over, providing Pakistan with the much-needed throttle towards the finish. He smashed four sixes in the last over bowled by Aizaz Khan and helped Pakistan to post a 194 winning target for the opposition.
In the second inning, the minnows team succumbed before Pakistani bowlers and bundled out for 38. Skipper Nizakat Khan (8 off 13 balls) scored highest, all-rounder Kinchit Shah scored 6 (10), and three batters were out on their 0. Shadab Khan (4/8 of 2.4 ov), Mohammad Nawaz (3/5 of 2 ov), Naseem Shah picked two, and Shahnawaz Dahani picked 1 wicket.
Brief Scoreboard of Pakistan vs Hong Kong:
Pakistan- 193/2 in 20 ov(won the match by 155 runs)
Hong Kong– 38/10 in 10.4 ov
Player of the match: Mohammad Rizwan (78* Pakistan)
Read also:Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka eliminate sloppy Bangladesh in match of fluctuating emotions
