India survived a scare against Hong Kong after Shikhar Dhawan’s ton as they battled to a 26-run win over the minnows in the Asia Cup 2018 on Tuesday.
Chasing 286, Hong Kong gave their illustrious opponents a run for their money with an opening stand of 174 runs before collapsing to 259-8 in 50 overs.
India were lifted to 285-7 with the help of punishing 127 by Dhawan – his 14th ODI hundred – and an attractive 60 by the recalled Ambati Rayudu.
The Group A match was expected to be a one-sided affair, but Nizakat Khan scored a brilliant 115-ball 92 with 12 fours and a six, with skipper Anshuman Rath adding 73 to make India sweat for victory. Their stand is the best for any wicket by Hong Kong in an ODI, bettering the 170-run stand for the fourth wicket by the same pair against Scotland at Mongkok in 2016.
But both fell in successive overs to give India a sigh of relief ahead of their high-profile match against Pakistan on Wednesday.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (3-46) and debutant paceman Khalil Ahmed (3-48) were the pick of Indian bowlers.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
A huge round of applause to Hong Kong for their resilience and determination in giving India a run for their money. Good innings from @SDhawan25 & @RayuduAmbati and Khaleel Ahmed was very impressive #AsiaCup
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 18, 2018
Well played Hong Kong. Tough game for India. Sometimes good to get asked tough questions before a big game.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 18, 2018
India survive scare to clinch match, but Hong Kong win honours for a truly spunky show…
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 18, 2018
Gabbar is back!.. well played jatta @SDhawan25 💯 Hoping to see the good form for tomorrow! Keep it up! #INDvHK #AsiaCup2018
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 18, 2018
Most centuries by Indian left-handed batsmen in ODIs:
22 – Sourav Ganguly
14 – Yuvraj Singh, SHIKHAR DHAWAN*
11 – Gautam Gambhir #INDvHK— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 18, 2018
Brilliant effort from Hong Kong first with their bowling in the last ten overs and than being in the game with the bat for a large part of their innings. Tomorrow the big one #IndvsPak
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 18, 2018
Khaleel Ahmed has grown up idolising Zaheer Khan. Wants to better his role model by one wicket. Well the start is auspicious. Zak claimed 3/48 on debut vs Kenya, Khaleel registers the same figures on a challenging night. Go well young man #IndvHK
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) September 18, 2018
This is some really good and matured batting from Nizakat and Anshuman. Irrespective of the result @CricketHK has been brilliant, has made the cricketing world sit up n take notice. #INDvHK #AsiaCup2018
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) September 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/fakingnews/status/1042058483561111553
Well played Hong Kong! You surely have won many hearts tonight, came so near to upset India. The only difference between two sides was experience!
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) September 18, 2018
Congratulations @SDhawan25 paaji for your 💯!! 🎉✌️
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) September 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/RaunakRK/status/1042055869985435648
Kuldeep Yadav – 50th ODI wicket in his 24th match. Only Ajit Agarkar has done it quicker (23rd ODI) for India.
But by far the quickest by an Indian spinner – Amit Mishra did it in 32 matches!
(Yuzvendra Chahal has 48 wkts in 27 games)#IndvHK#AsiaCup #AsiaCup2018— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 18, 2018
Brave effort from Hong Kong – they should leave the Asia Cup with their heads held high. Promising signs from them and their team looks to have a bright future #AsiaCup2018 #INDvHK
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 18, 2018
Remarkable effort from Hong Kong- number 18 in ODI cricket – to push India – number 2 – so close. Another reminder that international cricket's depth has never been better – even as England Australia and India got their way in cutting World Cup to 10 teams
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) September 18, 2018
Shikhar Dhawan's hard fought innings in the scorching heat, which included 49 singles and 3 doubles, completely deserves the Man of the Match award #INDvHK #AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/NWijW8m8hK
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 18, 2018
