Dubai: India cruised past Hong Kong by xx runs on Wednesday night to advance to the Asia Cup Super Fours stage with two wins in as many games.
Having pipped Pakistan in a last-ball finish on Sunday, India made a slowish start after being asked to bat first, reaching 85/1 in 12 overs.
But once Suryakumar Yadav walked out in the middle following the dismissal of KL Rahul, there was a shift in momentum India’s way. With Virat Kohli starting to find his touch at the other end, Suryakumar broke loose to plunder 6 sixes and 6 fours in a blistering unbeaten 68 off just 26 balls.
Kohli, who had top-scored for India in the win over Pakistan on Sunday, remained unconquered on 59 off 44 balls with a boundary and 3 sixes, as the duo’s unbroken 98-run partnership for the third wicket carried India to an imposing 192/2.
Hong Kong batted to the best of their ability, with Babar Hayat making 41 off 35 balls. India will be worried by the fact that pacers Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh leaked 53 and 44 runs, respectively, in 4 overs each.
Brief score: India 192/2 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 68*, Virat Kohli 59*). Hong Kong 152/5 in 20 overs (Babar Hayat 41; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/15, Ravindra Jadeja 1/15).
Result: India won by 40runs.
