Lower order and spinners lead Pakistan to Asian Games semi-finals
Pakistan 160 (Jamal 41, Shukla 4-49, Ghazanfar 3-26) beat Hong Kong 92 (Hayat 29, Khushdil 3-13) by 68 runs
Pakistan faltered to 73 for 6 preceding their lower request rescued their innings to post severe strength areas for 160 and their spinners bowled out Hong Kong for 92 to book a semi-last billet in the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Picking to bowl, Blare Kong took full advantage of the new ball when Ayush Shukla’s initial wickets represented Mirza Baig and Rohail Nazir in the initial three overs, trailed by Haider Ali’s excusal in the following over. Chief Qasim Akram joined opener Omair Yousuf to merge to take them past 50 yet he skied one to senseless mid-off while focusing on the leg-side limit in the 10th over.
Four balls later, Younus was bowled by Anas Khan for 21 and Pakistan was reeling at 54 for 5. Asif Ali sewed a helpful stand of 19 with Khushdil Shah and 36 with Aarafat Minhas to extend the score past 100. Even though Asif fell for 25 with 22 balls left in the innings, No. 9 Aamer Jamal impacted a 16-ball 41 to lift Pakistan to 160, which saw 49 runs in the last three overs, remembering 26 for the previous.
Pakistan additionally began well with the ball when Minhas struck two times in the powerplay, however, No. 3 Babar Hayat pushed them along at almost six an over near the midway imprint. Khushdil, notwithstanding, sent him back for 29 and Hong Kong imploded by losing six wickets for only nine races to slip from 54 for 2 to 63 for 8. Khushdil took 3 for 13, and Manhas, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Qasim got two wickets each to bowl out Hong Kong in 18.5 overs.