Dubai: Usman Khan (3/19) bowled well before opener Imam-ul-Haq (50 n o, 69b, 3×4, 1×6) hit an unbeaten half century as Pakistan notched up a dominating eight-wicket win over minnows Hong Kong in a group A match of the Asia Cup ODI tournament here Sunday.
Electing to bat, Hong Kong folded for a paltry 116 in 37.1 overs, courtesy Usman and two-wicket hauls by Shadab Khan (2/31) and Hasan Ali (2/19).
Pakistan then returned to overhaul the target, scoring 120 for two in 23.4 overs, built mainly around opener Imam’s knock.
Chasing 117 to win, Pakistan made a good start with Imam and Fakhar Zaman (24) sharing a 41-run partnership in eight overs for the opening wicket. Pakistan lost their first wicket when Fakhar was caught by McKechnie off Ehsan Khan’s ball in the ninth over. Imam and new man Babar (33) then added 52 runs to take the team close to the target. Babar hit three fours and a six in his knock before being caught behind by Mckechnie for Ehsan’s second wicket. Experienced Shoaib Malik (9) hit the winning runs, blasting Aizaz for a boundary in the 24th over.
Earlier, Pakistan bowlers thoroughly exposed the weakness of Hong Kong. Kinchit Shah (26) and Aizaz Khan (27) were the top-scorers for Hong Kong.
Brief scores: Hong Kong 116 (Aizaz Khan 27; Usman Khan 3/19) lost to Pakistan 120/2 (Imam-ul-Haq 50 n o; Ehsan Khan 2/34) by 8 wickets.
