PAK vs HK: Match Overview

PAK vs HK: Pakistan will still be heavy favorites when they take on Hong Kong on Friday in their attempt to avoid losing in the first round of the Asia Cup despite being winless in T20Is so far in 2022 and under pressure following their loss to India in their tournament opener (September 2).

Pakistan’s batting concerns

Pakistan’s batting performance against India fell short; the adversaries used the short-ball tactic to remove the top and middle order and limit them to just 147. Pakistan was unable to bounce back once the threat posed by Mohammad Rizwan was eliminated; he has a propensity to blow up during slog-overs and has an SR of 211.39 since 2021.

This can be attributed in part to their middle order, which has received only 26% of deliveries since the year 2021, compared have their top three, which have been in excellent form and have scored the majority of the points (69%).

Therefore, it would once again be up to the middle order to step up when necessary. Additionally, the chance to test the bowlers at Sharjah, a venue known for its tight boundaries, should give them a lot of confidence going into this game they must win.

The potential threat Hong Kong can cause

That also applies to Hong Kong, which did demonstrate some of the dangers they can present. Before Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning innings changed the game and gave Hong Kong a lofty target, India was only scoring at approximately 7 an over. In response, their batting prevented it from seeming to be a one-sided affair as could have been anticipated given the apparent mismatch on paper. Pakistan would also be relying on it.

PAK vs HK: Match Details

When: on Friday, September 2, at 2.00 PM GMT, 6 PM local

Where: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

What to anticipate: Another day that will be swelteringly hot and muggy. At each of the tournament’s sites in the UAE, chasing has been the most effective strategy. India is the only team to have successfully defended a total during this year’s Asia Cup, and they did so against Hong Kong.

PAK vs HK: Team Updates

Pakistan

Naseem Shah appeared to be in obvious discomfort as he finished the second part of his final over in India’s chase due to an injury or inability to play. In the event that Pakistan decides not to take a chance on him, Mohammad Hasnain would most likely get some playing time.

Runs scored against the hard new ball become essential due to the condition of the pitches being used in the Asia Cup. Tactics and matchups. When it comes to establishing goals in the UAE, the runs at the top are worth twice as much as the runs at the bottom. Since the year 2021, Babar Azam’s strike rate inside PowerPlay has dropped to just 113. The situation is only somewhat improved at Rizwan at 123. Hong Kong will wish to capitalize even further on this opportunity.

Hong Kong

After giving a strong account of themselves in their first Twenty20 International appearance against India, Hong Kong may go into the do-or-die game with no changes to their lineup, unless there is a late-breaking injury to one of their players.

When Hong Kong played India, their spinners bowled better than their pace counterparts (1-72 in 10 overs versus 1-119 in 10 overs), so we can anticipate that Pakistan’s pace bowlers, such as Ehsan Khan and Yasim Murtaza, will target the top of the order, which is where Pakistan’s greatest advantage lies. The pacers from Hong Kong could be an easy target for the hitters from Pakistan because, during the Asia Cup (including the qualifications), they allowed runs at an economy rate of around 10, whilst the spinners only allowed runs at a rate of 6.42.

PAK vs HK: Probable Playing XI

Pakistan

Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah/Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani

Hong Kong

Nizakat Khan (C), Yasim Murtaza, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Aizaz Khan, Zeeshan Ali, Scott McKechnie (wk), Haroon Arshad, Ehsan Khan, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Ayush Shukla

PAK vs HK: Trivia

At least five players who were born in Pakistan are now part of the Hong Kong side.

Naseem Shah has played in 14 T20s so far this year and has collected 21 wickets, with a top score of 5 for 20. However, he has allowed runs at an average of 8.14. In the Pakistan Super League 2022, he took the most wickets for the Quetta Gladiators.