Dubai : Undefeated India march into the super 4 of the Asia Cup 2022 after winning 2 off their group matches. They won their last group match against Hong Kong by 40 runs in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, topping the group as well as qualifying for the next round.
Chasing a mammoth total of 193 on a tough Pitch, Hong Kong lost early wickets, but Babar Hayat, their main player held the innings from one end, before falling off to Ravindra Jadeja on 41(35) . Later in the innings Kinchit Shah showed his aggressive intent against the Indian pacers , before getting dismissed to Bhuvneshwar Kumar on 30(28). A finishing touch was given by Zeeshan Ali into the chase, scoring a cameo of 26(17), making a statement against India’s inexperienced death bowling lineup, bashing Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh all over the park. None the less, India’s spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal along with experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved to be economical, thereby, handing India a crucial win, thereby, qualifying for the next round – The Super 4.
𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐘 for @imVkohli 💪💪
A well made half-century for Virat Kohli. His 31st in T20Is.
Live – https://t.co/k9H9a0e758 #INDvHK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/QeZsANLiFq
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 31, 2022
Earlier in the 1st innings, choosing to Bat, India lost their skipper Rohit Sharma early, as well as KL Rahul, who didn’t look in his best touch after his comeback, but the duo of veteran Virat Kohli and promising SuryaKumar Yadav built a 98 runs partnership, with Virat Kohli anchoring the innings and SuryaKumar Yadav showing his aggressive intent to the Hong Kong bowlers. Virat Kohli scored his 31st T20I 50 , whereas, Surya scored his 6th. The duo took India to a huge score of 192 in a condition difficult to Bat, which proved nearly impossible for Hong Kong to chase down . India finish their group stage , topping Group A.
Brief Scorecard
1st Innings
INDIA : 192/2(20) – SuryaKumar Yadav : 68*(26), Virat Kohli : 59*(44)
HONG KONG : Mohammad Ghazanfar : 1/19
2nd Innings
HONG KONG : 152-5(20) , Babar Hayat : 41(35), Kinchit Shah : 30(28)
INDIA:
Bhuvneshwar Kumar : 1/15
Ravindra Jadeja : 1/15
