Asia Cup 2018: When India Thrashed Hong Kong in 2008 to Register Their Highest Score

Though the time passes quickly, there will be few matches in the game of cricket which never fade away from our memories. One such clash took place way back in 2008 when India and Hong Kong locked horns in the Asia Cup 2008. It was a match that is best remembered for the heroics of Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. However, Hong Kong has returned yet again in style for the Asia Cup 2018.

MS Dhoni-Suresh Raina displayed a carnival at Karachi:

The duo blasted Hong Kong away with their brilliant centuries. Initially, it was MS Dhoni, who wrecked havoc in the middle then joined Raina, who showed his beast mode to the world with a sterling century.

Earlier in the game, India won the toss and asked the newbies in the circuit, Hong Kong to bowl first.

The super duo Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag blazingly started the things for the team by fetching boundaries often than not.

After knocking 127 runs for the first wicket, Sehwag walked back to the hut with an excellent 78 to his name. He was quickly followed by Gambhir and Rohit Sharma in the quick succession.

However, Dhoni was in his golden form during those days. He knocked the ball more than a run and whipped those huge sixes in the stands whenever it happened to be in his slot.

On the other hand, Raina, who kept the fans on the edge of the seats while dictating the terms. Almost every ball, Raina went for a big shot to keep Hong Kong fielders on their toes. After pairing 169 runs, Raina walked back to the pavilion.

In the end, it was Dhoni, who finished the things in style to put a massive 374 on the board. Till date, it is the highest-ever score for India in the Asia Cup.

Piyush Chawla rolls out Hongkong:

In reply to the chase, Hong Kong never looked like chasing the tally. They got the initial jolt for four runs when RP Singh delivered a beauty.

The skipper Munir Dar and wicketkeeper  Jamie Atkinson tried to build the partnership by adding 45 runs, but it ended up as the highest run partnership for the team in the innings.

Piyush Chawla spun a web around the Hong Kong batsman to bag a four-wicket haul. Virender Sehwag too tried his hand, who ended up picking a couple of wickets in his account while RP Singh and Yusuf Pathan picked wicket apiece.

Brief Scores:

India – 374/4 (MS Dhoni 109*, Suresh Raina 101; Najeeb 2/40)

Hong Kong – 118/10 (Irfan Ahmed 25; Piyush Chawla 4/23, Sehwag 2/5)

Match Result – India won by 256 runs facing Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2008.

The 14th edition of Asia Cup 2018 will kick off on September 15.

Video:

https://youtu.be/v1epQwfivWo