Asia Cup 2018: Match 4 - India vs Hong Kong - Report

If you thought the fourth match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 between India and Hong would be a one-sided affair, you were not the only one. In fact, you were not the only one who was wrong in his/her prediction. However, India was just able to get over the line by 26 runs. It wasn’t a cakewalk for the Men in Blue as Hong Kong gave them a run for their money. India posted a competitive total of 285 after they were asked to bat first by Hong Kong skipper Anshuman Rath.

Hong Kong openers Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan set up the pillars for their side. The pair added a record alliance of 174 runs which was the highest partnership for Hong Kong. In fact, this was the first time that the Hong Kong side put together a partnership of a hundred runs.

India was able to get over the line by the skin of their teeth.

Nizakat Khan was the aggressor as he catapulted his attack on the Indian seamers. Khan played to the leg-side of the ball. The right-hander made room by going towards the leg-side and chanced his arms.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong skipper Anshuman Rath adopted a more conventional way as he scored his runs cautiously. The pair also handled the Indian spinners with guile after an early burst against the fast bowlers.

However, as the game went on and Hong Kong got close to the target, some nervous energy started flowing through their veins. Furthermore, Rath and Khan were both tired as they could not find their timing. India had to wait for 34 overs to get their maiden wicket. However, the wicket of Anshuman Rath opened the floodgates.

Hong Kong can be proud of their performance.

India’s debutant Khaleel Ahmed bowled with his tail up as he scalped three crucial wickets. Ahmed also plumbed in front Nizakat Khan who was looking ominous. Moreover, the Indian spinners were also able to pull the strings as Chahal scalped three wickets and Kuldeep ended up with two more.

Early on in the day, Shikhar Dhawan scored his 14th ODI hundred to provide a fine platform to the Indian team. Ambati Rayudu scored his seventh fifty to provide a helping hand to Dhawan. However, India was not able to finish their innings on a high as they scored only 49 runs in the last ten overs.

So India was kept on the field for the whole 100 overs and thus there will be tiring bodies for the clash against Pakistan. Therefore, India will need to field the right playing XI.