Pakistan Thrashed Hong Kong To Make Their Way To Super 4

Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 155 runs in a nightmare for Hong Kong on Friday in Asia Cup 2022. Hong Kong was bowled out for just 38 with none of their players reaching double digits score.

The only positive for Hong Kong was that they won the toss. Hong Kong elected to bowl first and conceded 194 runs to Pakistan, a more than good enough total for them to defend.

Hong Kong bowled with a similar strategy as against India, that is to bowl at Stumps and give the batters no pace to work with.

Hong Kong did get a break-through and sent Babar Azam back to pavilion in the third over itself and kept Pakistan under control in the Powerplay.

Pakistan scored 40 runs in the powerplay, losing just one wicket. Fakhar and Rizwan looked to be in a tight bargain for runs, scoring just 64 runs in the first 10 overs.

In the first half of their innings, Pakistan seemed to be scoring around 150 which would have been an easily defendable score against Hong Kong considering Pakistan’s bowling attack.

After the drinks break, both the batters seemed used to the pace of the pitch and started hitting the spinners. With that attack Rizwan soon completed his half-century.

In the 15th over Fakhar found his timing and smashed a six and a four in the 13-run 16th over off spinner Murtaza.

Fakhar in the next over lost his wicket after completing his 50. Khushdil did not spare the bowlers either and in 18th and 20th overs left a huge dent which ended any hopes of Hong Kong to keep the score chaseable.

Khushdil smashed four consecutive sixes off Aizaz and brought the total for Pakistan to a confident 194.

Pakistan bowled like champions

Pakistan’s bowlers never let Hong Kong batters feel confident on the crease and kept them struggling.

Hong Kong lost three wickets in the first few overs and could only score 19 runs. By the drinks, Hong Kong had lost 90% of their lineup and could only reach 38.

By the 11th over Hong Kong was back to pavilion trying to forget the nightmare that Friday was.