19 Sep : News Express 24 :-
After scoring 285 runs in the first innings, the cricketers had been excited about how much the Indian team would have to lose to Hong Kong in the Asia Cup tournament. However, Hong Kong fought hard to win a strong India to win the match. Chasing India’s target of 286 runs, Hong Kong reached 259 for eight in 50 overs. Although India won by 26 runs, Hong Kong won the hearts of cricket fans.
India are back in the hunt! Two key wickets, both openers dismissed just before their centuries. Hong Kong need 103 to win from 12 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Who's favourite to win?#INDvHK LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/E9VsZbcD4e #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/1iN68e0Tj9
— ICC (@ICC) September 18, 2018
Hong Kong won the toss and elected to bat at the Dubai International Stadium. At the same time, there was hope that India would set the foothills. But Hong Kong kept India in a tile. Shikhar Dhawan (127) hit a magnificent century. After this the Indian bowlers were expected to dominate. However, Nishat Khan and skipper Anshuman Rath kept the team on a winning track with a huge opening stand of 174 runs. At the time, Hong Kong was likely to win the most shocking victory. But at the end of the day, India wins the experience. Kuldeep Yadav broke the pair after dismissing Anshuman. Anshuman scored 97 runs off 97 balls with 4 fours and a six, and Najakta hit 115 off 115 balls with 12 fours and one six. Nikhat Khalil Ahmed was succeeded by his successor. Nijhakta’s 92 runs is his highest score against the ICC’s entire team. Both of these batsmen were on the pitch. Till then, the Indian bowlers were beaten. However, Indians did not support the Hong Kong batsmen.
They couldn't, could they?
At the moment, Hong Kong are cruising, having progressed to 133/0 from 27 overs. Nizakat Khan is 77*, Anshy Rath is 47*, and they need 153 more from 27 overs to cause a huge upset over India.#INDvHK LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/E9VsZbcD4e#AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/j2RCHkO7kf
— ICC (@ICC) September 18, 2018
The chase is on! @CricketHK need 286 runs for what would be a famous victory against India – follow our live blog to see how they do!#INDvHK LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/E9VsZbcD4e#AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/hxJAvr1njQ
— ICC (@ICC) September 18, 2018
Earlier, India scored 285 runs with Dhawan. Dhawan scored 127 runs in 12 balls with 15 fours and two sixes. Captain Rohit Sharma scored 23 runs off 22 balls. Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu (6) put on 116 runs in the last over to save India. Raidu hit three fours and three sixes in his 7th ball. Dinesh Kartik scored 33 runs from 38 balls after being dismissed. He shared a 79-run partnership with Dhawan. After the Kartik fall, the middle order has collapsed.
Brief scores :
India: 285 for 7 in the 5th over (Shikhar Dhawan 127, Ambati Rayudu 6, Dinesh Karthik 33; slightly Shah 3/39) VVS Hong Kong: 259 runs in 8 overs (Nizhat Khan 92, Anshuman Rath 73; Yuswendra Chahal 3/46, Khalil Ahmed 3/48, Kuldeep Yadav 2/42).
Dhawan, who scored 14th ODI century, became the sixth batsman to score most centuries in India. Yuvraj Singh also hit 14 centuries. Dhawan is ahead of Virender Sehwag (15), Rohit Sharma (18), Sourav Ganguly (22), Virat Kohli (35) and Sachin Tendulkar (49).
