In the run-chase, Hong Kong was easily defeated by Pakistan's onslaught, which proved to be too strong for them. Mohammad Rizwan (R) and his partner Khushdil Shah exit the pitch after Pakistan's batting against Hong Kong at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium during the Asia Cup match (AFP).

Pakistan won a must-win Asia Cup encounter against Hong Kong by a record 155 runs on Friday, setting up a second confrontation with main rival India in as many weeks. Pakistan needed Mohammad Rizwan to work hard for his 78 off 57 balls as Pakistan scored a much-needed last flourish against Hong Kong to reach 193 for two.


The Pakistani onslaught proved too strong for Hong Kong in the run-chase. Their innings were done in 10.4 overs for 38 runs, advancing Pakistan into the Super 4s as the second-placed team from Group A. It was Pakistan's most significant victory in the shortest format. On Sunday, Pakistan will face India, who finished first in Group A.


Hong Kong had shown some ability with the bat against India, but the Pakistani bowling attack easily defeated them. After Naseem Shah got twice in the third over of the innings, it was a procession. The spinners, Shadab Khan (4 wickets by giving only 8 runs and Mohammad Nawaz (3/5), who shared seven wickets, then caused the damage.





Before ending Hong Kong's batting with a straight one to remove Mohammad Ghaznafar, Shadab's googlies were far too excellent for the opposition hitters. In addition to being a good learning experience, the outing also served as a good chance for Hong Kong, an amateur team that had to qualify for the tournament.


The Hong Kong bowlers performed well to keep Pakistan quiet for the duration of the innings, as they had done against India, until losing their way. Pakistan scored 64 in 10 overs, despite Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman (53 off 41) failing to hit the boundaries.


A 15-ball 35 from Khushdil Shah ensured Pakistan's high total. Babar Azam (9 off 8) suffered his second elimination in as many innings in the tournament. Babar tried to accelerate by blasting an aerial shot over the bowlers' heads, but the ball went back to spinner Ehsan Khan, who dived to his right to collect a great catch.


Rizwan reached the ropes only in the fifth over, when he square cut medium pacer Ayush Shukla before directing it to the third man for back-to-back fours.


The first six of the session came in the eleventh over, when Rizwan moved out to leg-spinner Ghazanafar for a clean tonk.


Fakhar was able to relieve some of Pakistan's strain by blasting the spinners for a pair of sixes in the cow corner zone. After finishing his half-century in the heat and humidity, Rizwan was able to shift gears.


Due to a lack of experience in high-pressure circumstances, Hong Kong bowlers again failed to deliver in the death overs, allowing Pakistan to score 77 runs off the final 30 balls.


Though the Pakistani skippers played brilliantly against Hong Kong and earned their place in the super 4 of group A, Pakistani fans want to see Babar Azam hit 50 or 100 in this tournament. But unfortunately, Babar Azam failed twice and seemed to struggle on the slow pitch.


Moreover, cricket fans and the Pakistani public still hope for Babar Azam to perform well in upcoming matches and sit on the no. 1 batsman spot in the ICC Ranking.