Pakistan secured a comfortable victory against Hong Kong, earning a spot in the semifinals of the Asian Games. Opting to bat first, the Pakistani team, often referred to as the “Men in Green,” posted a total of 160 runs. In response, Hong Kong’s innings crumbled, as they were bowled out for just 92 runs, granting Pakistan a convincing 68-run win. Pakistan now sets its sights on the upcoming semifinal clash, where they will face either Sri Lanka or Afghanistan for a place in the final.

Hong Kong may feel disheartened by their batting performance, particularly the middle-order collapse against the formidable Pakistani spinners. While they showed flashes of brilliance and delivered a strong bowling performance, the final over of the first innings, bowled by Ayush Shukla, allowed Pakistan to gain a mental advantage as they scored 26 runs, slightly denting Hong Kong’s momentum. Skipper Nizakat Khan made a promising start with the bat but lost his opening partner for a duck.

Babar Hayat managed to escape a stumping chance and accumulated a few runs, but once they lost four wickets, the innings took a rapid downturn. Even a couple of late cameos weren’t enough to push Hong Kong past the 100-run mark.

Pakistan’s victory was comprehensive, marking a significant step towards their medal aspirations as they cruise into the semifinals. Despite a challenging start with the bat, the middle order’s resilience brought them back into the contest, and Aamer Jamal’s impressive cameo helped them cross the 150-run milestone. On the bowling front, Pakistan made a strong start, with Arafat Minhas claiming an early wicket.

After a period of quiet play, Pakistan’s bowlers, including Khushdil Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem, tore through Hong Kong’s middle order. Captain Qasim Akram himself stepped up to take the final two wickets, sealing Pakistan’s commanding victory.