Pranav KhandaleA balanced Hong Kong squad offers enough gunpower to upset Pakistan in their final group game. Pakistan start as favourites, however, despite having shown weakness in the middle order. The team winning on Friday will lock horns with India on Sunday in their first Super Four match.
The overview
The Hong Kong batting line-up is packed with power-hitters capable of scoring runs in quick succession. Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali and Scott McKechnie scored at a Strike Rate of 117.14, 152.94, and 200 respectively in their last outing. It was the bowling unit, though, that lacked aggression; Hong Kong conceded 98 runs in the final 7 overs. Despite a below-average performance during the death overs, captain Nizakat Khan can be expected to make no changes to the squad. Their bowling unit comprises three seam bowlers and three spinners. Vice-captain Kinchit Shah may play a vital role as an off-spinner, considering Pakistan have three left-handed batters in the middle order.
Pakistan, on the other side, had a close encounter against India. Considering the format of the game, the Asian giants lack a genuine all-rounder. Currently, the position is limited to Shadab Khan, who has been as consistent as they want him to be. Having only five frontline bowlers cost Pakistan the game against India. Mohammed Nawaz, who had an excellent outing, was forced to bowl the final over against Hardik Pandya with an additional fielder inside the 30-yard circle. To add to Pakistan’s misery, Naseem Shah, who bowled his heart out on his T20I debut, is doubtful against Hong Kong and will be replaced by Mohammad Hasnain as a like-to-like replacement.
Match details
Match: Hong Kong vs Pakistan
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Date: 2 September 2022
Time: 07:30 PM IST
Where to Watch: Star Sports Network | Disney+ Hotstar
Pitch report & Toss
The Sharjah wicket will favour spinners. However, seam bowlers who can offer variations could prove crucial as well. Short boundaries will urge the batters to take on the bowlers, but the slow and sluggish nature will make it difficult for them to time the ball. Spinners picked 8 out of 9 wickets in the last game at this venue. The side winning the toss will opt to bat first, as the wicket is expected to slow down.
Probable playing XIs
Hong Kong: Nizakat Khan (c), Yasim Murtaza, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Aizaz Khan, Zeeshan Ali, Scott McKechnie (wk), Haroon Arshad, Ehsan Khan, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Ghazanfar
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani
Head-to-head
This is the first T20I game between Hong Kong and Pakistan. The two teams have competed in ODIs previously. Pakistan won both encounters.
Clean hitters
Hong Kong: Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Aizaz Khan
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed
Death-over bowlers
Hong Kong: Ehsan Khan, Haroon Arshad, Ayush Shukla
Pakistan: Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani
Fantasy Team
Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Yasim Murtaza, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani, Ehsan Khan
Captain & Vice-captain picks
Captain: Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz
Vice-Captain: Yasim Murtaza, Shadab Khan
Prediction
Despite losing their previous encounters with India, both teams have their chins up walking into the crucial game on Friday. Hong Kong are a little inexperienced, though, compared to a formidable Pakistan unit. If their middle order delivers, it will be a walk in the park for Pakistan. However, if it doesn’t, it will be a close contest. I back Pakistan to win this encounter and book their Super Four spot.
