Pakistan vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup: Naseem’s top order fluency, Babar’s doubtful form and more talking points

Pakistan beat Hong Kong in the Asia Cup contest between the two sides on Friday in what proved to be the biggest Asia Cup win and second-highest T20I win in terms of run margin.

Pakistan had a slow start as Hong Kong were able to constrain the Pakistan top order for the first 15 overs or so, but Pakistan unleashed in the last five overs with Mohammed Rizwan finally hitting big and Khushdil Shah going bonkers in the final over.

For Hong Kong, only Ehsan Khan was able to make any damage as he picked two wickets – Babar Azam as early as the third over, and Fakhar Zaman in the 17^th over.

Stat attack: Pakistan’s record win, new low for Hong Kong and more

Pakistan bowlers then wreaked havoc as they ended Hong Kong’s innings for a poultry score of 38 with spinners and quicks troubling the batters alike.

Here are significant talking points from the encounter –

Mohammed Rizwan – Fakhar Zaman partnership

Rizwan and Zaman registered a partnership of 116 runs in 13.2 overs after losing the wicket of skipper Babar Azam quite early in the innings. Rizwan scored 78 off 57 balls while Zaman as well registered a half-century (53 off 41 deliveries).

The duo struggled to free their arms initially as they couldn’t exceed the seven-run run rate till the 13^th over. But they started to take on the bowlers subsequently.

7️⃣8️⃣ not out
5️⃣7️⃣ balls
6️⃣ fours
1️⃣ six@iMRizwanPak is the player of the match today for his stellar knock