Asia Cup 2022, PAK vs HK: Pakistan's spin twin destroy the Hong Kong batting

Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, the stars of Pakistan bowling

It was a do-or-die game for Pakistan against Hong Kong at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Hong Kong sent Pakistan in to bat after winning the toss. 

On a slowish track, Mohammad Rizwan (78* off 57) and Fakhar Zaman (53 off 41) set up the stage on which Khushdil Shah (35 off 15) capitalised and took Pakistan to a total of 193 runs in their 20 overs. 

Khushdil Shah's cameo helped Pakistan to a big total

In their first match, Hong Kong put up a decent fight against India’s 192 runs total. But against Pakistan, they experienced a collapse and were bundled out for just 38 runs in 10.4 overs. 

Pakistan’s spin twins Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan spun a web around the Hong Kong batters. In just 28 legal deliveries they got 7 wickets conceding just 13 runs. Let us see where the Pakistani spinners bowled and what variations they used to dismantle Hong Kong’s batting line up. 

Pitch map of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz

Bowling areas of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz

The length and line suggests that the Pakistani spinners looked to attack the stumps and make the batters play. It was a perfect exploitation of the Hong Kong players' lack of experience when it comes to handling good quality bowling in adverse conditions. 

The fact that the plans worked out perfectly for Shadab and Nawaz is evident in the way the wickets fell. 

How the two spinners dismissed the batters

After a hard fought defeat against India, it was commendable and very professional for the Pakistan team to stick to the basics. They just kept attacking the stumps and made the batters play. The results are there for everyone to see.

Pakistan’s next clash is once again against their arch-rivals, India. A clinical and dominating performance like this will give them a lot of confidence. They will be raring to go on the field and take the revenge of the group stage defeat against the Men in Blue. 

Also Read: PAK vs HK: Clinical Pakistan advance to Super four with a thumping win