Malaysia cruise to eight-wicket win over Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong, China made only 81 after electing to bat first
Malaysia registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Hong Kong, China in the first Group B game of the Asian Games at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin. Three-wicket hauls from Pavandeep Singh and Muhammad Amir Azim helped Malaysia restrict their opponents to just 81 before a composed 70-run partnership between Virandeep Singh and Muhamad Syahadat helped them chase it down in just 12 overs.
Things went awry for Hong Kong, China after they opted to bat first. They started on the backfoot after experienced campaigners Anshuman Rath and Babar Hayat fell in the first and second overs respectively. There was a brief recovery through a 19-run partnership between Nizakat Khan and Shiv Mathur but a triple-wicket maiden from Pavandeep in the sixth over sent Hong Kong, China into a tailspin.
Having made just 31 for 5 in the Powerplay, they played out another maiden. Progress was slow as the batters attempted to stabilize the situation, but their efforts were short lived as Muhammad Amir ended a 34-ball 18-run stand between Ehsan Khan and Shiv Mathur. Malaysia’s dexterity in the field coupled with the regular fall of wickets meant that Hong Kong, China dragged themselves to 81/9 after 20 overs.
In response, Muhammad Haziq Aiman started positively by striking two boundaries in the opening over. Nasrulla Rana then gave his team an opportunity by dismissing both openers in the space of three balls. While the next two overs yielded just one run, Malaysia could afford to take their time with there being no scoreboard pressure. Having settled in, Virandeep Singh struck Yasim Murtaza for a six in the fifth over.
After reaching 33 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay, Malaysia continued to play risk-free cricket. The floodgates opened in the 11th over with Syahadat smashing consecutive sixes off Mohammad Ghazanfar. Syahadat struck another boundary in the next over before Virandeep sealed the chase with a four and a six.
Both Malaysia and Hong Kong, China will face Oman next.
Brief Scores: Hong Kong, China 81/9 in 20 overs (Shiv Mathur 29; Pavandeep Singh 3-11, Muhammad Amir Azim 3-12) lost to Malaysia 84/2 in 12 overs (Muhamad Syahadat 36*, Virandeep Singh 32*; Nasrulla Rana 2-23) by 8 wickets.
