New Delhi: Pakistan and Hong Kong will be playing for the last spot in the Super 4 and people are already set for the India-Pakistan encounter on September 4. If Pakistan beats Hong Kong, they will register their first T20I victory in 2022 as they have played just two and lost both. On the other hand, Hong Kong has always shown fighting chances and will look out to create an upset in the tournament.
Pakistan’s batting line-up is strong, no doubt, but it needs to show an aggressive intent, otherwise, only a Suryakumar Yadav kind of inning can save them. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is going to the match as underdogs with a fine balance of batting and bowling. With Babar Hayat’s 41 off 35 and Zeeshan Ali and Scott McKenchnie’s power-hitting against India, Hong Kong has some positives from the last game.
Pakistan’s squad analysis
Undoubtedly, Pakistan is the favourite in the game with the top two T20I batters in their team. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s opening pair seems to be destructive, but there is a chance for them to try Fakhar Zaman at the top. With not so good bowling line-up in front of them, Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah can go and gain confidence to face tougher opponents ahead. Ehsan Khan, who is in tremendous form, along with Yasim Murtaza can cause some trouble to the batters.
With little clarity over Naseem Shah’s fitness and the kind of cramps seen in the last game, Pakistan has something to worry about. Harris Rauf can be a bowler to look out for. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan are doing great, which is a good sign for the spin attack. The bowlers need to control Hong Kong’s power-hitters and the only good way to do so is to take wickets, and Pakistan has wicket takers who can turn the game.
Hong Kong’s squad analysis
Hong Kong has good batters in captain Nizakat Khan, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah and Zeeshan Ali. With their batting depth till number 7 and six bowling options, it looks like a finely balanced side. Nizakat or Murtaza, someone from the openers will have to anchor the inning if they want to go for a good total or chase one. With positives in batting against India, they will enter the game as a confident side.
Pakistan struggled against the short-ball, but the young pace attack of Haroon Arshad and Ayush Shukla lack the ability and experience to use this weapon like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya did. The team depends on the spin services of Ehsan Khan, Murtaza and Mohammad Ghazanfar.
Conclusion
We might witness another India-Pakistan encounter in the Super 4 stage as Hong Kong does not seem to cause much trouble to Pakistan’s chances. However, if Hong Kong performs well, they will take home some positives from this Asia Cup. With India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka already in the Super 4, the fight is for the one spot left.
