Joy for Pakistan in their old hunting ground. After posting 193/2, Babar Azam & Co. dismissed Hong Kong for just 38 runs in 10.4 overs in the sixth and final league match of Asia Cup 2022 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. Meaning a whopping 155-run victory for the 'Men In Green'. Pakistan, the two-time champions, thus qualified for the Super Four.
And here are some match facts, mostly pertaining to Hong Kong's unwanted feats. This is the lowest T20I total for Hong Kong, the lowest T20I score against Pakistan, the lowest score in the Asia Cup, the lowest score at the venue, and also the second biggest margin of win in T20Is by an ICC Full Member team.
Earlier, Pakistan struggled to 64/1 in the first ten overs, then added 129 in the next 60 balls as Mohammad Rizwan (78 not out off 57) played a brilliant knock to anchor the innings to 193/2 against Hong Kong in an Asia Cup 2022 knock-out match on Friday. Hong Kong captain Nizakat Khan won the toss in Sharjah and opted to bowl first. The Associate team started well, getting the wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam early for nine runs in the third over.
Then the minnows lost the plot. First, Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman (53 off 41) steadied the innings, then Khushdil Shah arrived to change the complexion of the match with some lusty hitting. His unbeaten 35 off 15 balls was laced with five sixes. For Hong Kong, Ehsan Khan claimed both the wickets. The losers return home. Catch cricket score and highlights of the PAK vs HK, Asia Cup match here:
Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 193 for 2 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 78 not out, Fakhar Zaman 53; Ehsan Khan 2/28).
Hong Kong: 38 all out in 10.4 overs (Nizakat Khan 8; Shadab Khan 4/8, Mohammad Nawaz 3/5).
