Toss: Hong Kong chose to bat v Pakistan
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Saqlain Mushtaq and Deep Dasgupta dissect Pakistan’s Asia Cup opener against Hong Kong, and what they will seek to take away from the game
In their first game at this year’s Asia Cup, Hong Kong captain Anshy Rath decided to bat in blazing conditions in Dubai. It is their first ODI against a top-eight side since the Asia Cup in 2008, which is also when Hong Kong and Pakistan last met.
Pakistan, looking to get off to a commanding start in a group that also includes India, were also looking to bat first, mainly to avoid fielding in such uncomfortably hot weather. They have opted for an attack that comprises three fast bowlers, with Shadab Khan as a specialist spinner and Shoaib Malik and Faheem Ashraf as extra bowling options. Of the six fast bowlers part of their squad, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Usman Khan get the nod for this opening fixture.
Hong Kong: 1 Anshy Rath (capt), 2 Babar Hayat, 3 Nizakat Khan, 4 Tanwir Afzal, 5 Aizaz Khan, 6 Christopher Carter, 7 Nadeem Ahmed, 8 Scott Mckechnie (wk), 9 Ehsan Khan, 10 Ehsan Nawaz, 11 Kinchit Shah
Pakistan: 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt&wk), 6 Asif Ali, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Usman Khan