Pakistan played its first match of the Asia Cup against the associate nation Hong Kong on Sunday. It was expected to be a one-sided affair and so it was; Pakistan thrashed Hong Kong by 8 wickets with 158 balls still to go.
Hong Kong won the toss and chose to bat first on a hot, dry day.
The openers made a positive start, all to be ruined by a foolish run-out as Nizakat Khan failed to land his bat while looking away from the ball. Shadab hit the bull’s eye and opened up the gate for the Pakistani bowling to bundle out Rath XI in a short time.
None of the batsmen failed to convert their starts into a fifty or a hundred to get the side to a respectable total, giving a fighting chance to the bowlers. Usman Khan Shinwari took three while Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali sent two each back to the pavilion, bowling out the opposition for 116 in the 38th over.
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Pakistan has the tendency to crumble if a decent total is put on the board, but it wasn’t that kind of a day for Sarfaraz’s men.
A target of 117 was always going to be easy for Pakistan and that too in their adopted home. Fakhar Zaman couldn’t capitalize and fell for 24 while his partner Imam ul Haq (50*) made sure he raised a fifty before getting over the line.
Ehsan Khan claimed both the wickets as Pakistan stormed to victory in the 24th over.
1st Innings
Hong Kong — 116 all out (37.1 overs)
Aizaz Khan 27 (47)
Sohail Khan 3-19 (7.3 overs)
2nd Innings
Pakistan — 120 for 2 (23.4 overs)
Imam ul Haq 50* (69)
Ehsan Khan 2-34 (8 overs)
Man of the Match: Usman Khan
Featured Image Source: DNA India