Dubai - Imam-ul-Haq scored his maiden ODI 50 as he led the 117-run chase; Usman Khan took 3 wickets in an over.
Published: Mon 17 Sep 2018, 5:11 PM
Last updated: Mon 17 Sep 2018, 7:11 PM
Opener Imam-ul-Haq led Pakistan to victory in their first Asia Cup 2018 match against Hong Kong in Dubai on Sunday
Hong Kong had set a target of 117 runs for Pakistan after the latter bowled them out for a paltry 116 in 37 overs.
Imam not only scored his maiden one-day international 50 but saw the team through across the finish line.
Pakistan won the match in 23.4 overs.
Pacer Usman Shinwari was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets in one over and limiting the opponent's chances of even reaching 150.
Hong Kong captain Anshuman Rath won the toss and opted to bat in the Group A match of the Asia Cup against Pakistan in Dubai.
Hong Kong came through the qualifying rounds and are playing for the third time in the Asia Cup after featuring in 2004 and 2008 editions.
Pakistan previously won the Asia Cup in 2000 and 2012. The third team in the group is India.
Bangladesh inflicted a big 137-run defeat on former champions Sri Lanka in the opening Group B game in Dubai on Saturday. Afghanistan are the third team in the group.
Teams
Pakistan:
Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari
Hong Kong:
Anshuman Rath (capt), Aizaz Khan, Babar Hayat, Mohammad Nizakat, Christopher Carter, Ehsan Khan, Ehsan Nawaz, Kinchit Shah, Nadeem Ahmed, Scott McKehnie, Tanvir Afzal
Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Ahmad Pakteen (AFG)
End of updates:
Pakistan
Over 23.4
And that's game for Pakistan! A convincing victory by eight wickets. Imam-ul-Haq was the pick of the batsmen, scoring his maiden ODI 50. Shoaib Malik hit the winning runs - a four; end innings at 120/2.
Over 22
Pakistan ends another over with a four; three runs away from victory.
Over 19
Pakistan lose Babar for 93 runs. Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik walks out to share the crease with Imam.
Over 17
Pakistan are cruising along with Imam and Babar Azam at the crease; 88/1.
Over 16
Pakistan stand strong at 78/1.
Over 15
A four to end the over takes Pakistan to 71 runs for the loss of one wicket.
Over 14
Haq leads Pakistan's 117-run chase; 64/1.
Over 11
The boys in green are slowly and steadily chasing their target of 117 runs; 48/1.
Over 9
Pakistan lose their first wicket at 41 runs - Fakhar goes for 24. Babar Azam walks out.
Over 8
Pakistan looking to wrap up this game early; 41/0 after eight overs.
Over 6
Pakistan cruising along with regular boundaries, scoring 35 with all wickets in hand; 35/0
Over 4
So far so good for Pakistan, with 19 on the board for the loss of no wickets.
Over 2
Pakistan end the second over at 10/0, with Fakhar Zaman and Imam-Ul-Haq at the crease.
Over 1
A cautious start by Pakistan, scoring 3 runs in the first over.
Hong Kong
Over 37
And that's a wrap for Hong Kong as Pakistan bowl them out for just 116 runs.
Over 36
Can Hong Kong score a sizeable 150? The team stands at 116/9.
Over 35
Hong Kong 113/9.
Over 34
Hong Kong Nadeem Ahmed and Ehsan Nawaz get the scored moving, scoring 111/9 by the end of the 34th over.
Over 33
Hasan Ali takes Kinchit's wickets. Hong Kong stands at 99/9. The team finally crosses 100 runs; 104/9.
Over 32
Even after 32 overs, Hong Kong struggles to make a 100 runs; 99/8.
Over 31
Hong Kong is now just a run away from 100 runs; 99/8.
Over 30:
Pakistan's Usman Khan three wickets in the 30th over, including Aizaz Khan,Scott McKechnie and Tanwir Afzal. This seems to be a low scoring match with Hong Kong at 97/8 after 30 overs.
Over 29:
Entering the 30th over, the boys in red have still not crossed the 100-run mark.
Over 28:
Aizaz Khan stays at the wicket after reviewing an appeal by Pakistan. Both, Kinchit Shah and Aizaz have stabilised the team's score, standing at 95/5 at after 28 overs.
Over 27:
Midway through the innings, Hong Kong is struggling to hit the three-figure mark, scoring 91 for 5 after the end of 27 overs.
Over 26:
The boys in red had a good over scoring six from it, standing at 88/5.
Over 25:
Hong Kong is 82 for the loss of 5 wickets, scoring at a run rate of 3.17. Shadab Khan has been the pick of the bowlers with two wickets.
Over 23:
Hong Kong is 71/5, with Anshy Rath being the team's only top scorer in the innings - so far - with 19 runs. Faheem Ashraf took his wicket.
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