When Pakistan plays Hong Kong in the tournament’s sixth match, they will be vying for their very lives. Pakistan had a horrible start, losing to India in their first game, and a loss here would spell the end for the team. Although Hong Kong lost badly to India, the team did have some flashes of brilliance.
The first game between the two teams will be this one. Pakistan is a powerful team with a number of seasoned athletes on the roster. When playing a side that is somewhat inexperienced, this should go in their favor. The unexpected victory of Hong Kong in the Qualifiers will hopefully serve as motivation for the team.
Pakistan Preview
Babar Azam would be upset with the loss against arch-rivals India. In a close game, the side went down by 5 wickets. It was their batting that let the side down in the last game. The top order failed to build partnerships and the side finished 20 runs short of what would have been a good score. This is a must-win game for the team and Azam would want his players to be clinical.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan shall have to set up a strong opening wicket stand in this game. Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Khushdil Shah failed to convert their starts against India and the team would need a better performance from them. The side has depth down the order and the likes of Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, and Haris Rauf shall need to add runs.
They have a strong bowling attack, and the side would like to get early wickets from Naseem Shah and Shahnawaz Dahani in this game. Shadab is an experienced bowler, and he will have to do well in the middle overs with Haris Rauf. Mohammad Nawaz went for runs in the last game and he will look to come up with a better show.
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani
Hong Kong Preview
Nizakat Khan’s suffered a 40-run loss against India in the last game. They allowed the Indians to put up a big total and lost their chances from there on. The side would have realized this is a different ball game from what they had experienced in the Qualifiers. Khan would want his players to stick to their basics and not be overwhelmed by the challenge.
Nizakat Khan and Yasim Murtaza went out cheaply in the last game and they have to set up a big opening wicket stand in this game. Babar Hayat is one of the most experienced players on the side and he would look to build partnerships with Kinchit Shah and Aizaz Khan in the middle order. Hong Kong would also expect to see a good show from the likes of Scott McKechnie and Zeeshan Ali down the order.
