Asia Cup 2022: Match 6 - Predicted Hong Kong Playing XI vs Pakistan

After losing their first match of the tournament, the Hong Kong team finds themselves in a tight spot as they need to defeat Pakistan in order to qualify for the Super 4 stage. Both the teams lost their opening fixtures against India and will face each other in a do-or-die game on Spetember 2.

Hong Kong played some good cricket against the men in blue, but their bowlers let them down. While not many gave Hong Kong a chance, the Nizakat Khan-led side played well and scored 152 runs on a difficult pitch. If they manage to hold their nerve against Pakistan, the team has potential to cause an upset and qualify for the next round. But do they go with the same team or make any change?

Here’s a look at Hong Kong’s predicted XI against Pakistan

Openers - Nizakat Khan and Yasim Murtaza

The captain Nizakat Khan will continue his partnership with Yasim Murtaza at the top of the order. The duo did not have a great time against the Indian bowlers but they have the capacity to strike the bowl well when necessary. Against India, Nizakat scored 10 off 12 deliveries and was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja's terrific one-handed throw from backward point. On the other hand, Arshdeep dismissed Murtaza for 9.

Murtaza scored 134 runs in three matches in the qualifiers and was effective with the bowl as well. The left-arm orthodox spinner picked three wickets in the tournament so far and gave away 27 runs from his four overs against India.

Coming to the captain, he is the backbone of the team. He’s not known for scoring quick runs but gives the much-needed stability in the middle. He has scored 95 runs from the four matches in this year’s tournament. 

Middle Order - Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Zeeshan Ali, Scott McKechnie

Babar Hayat has been rock solid for the team so far and 41-run knck against India showed his class. He is known to strike the ball well and has played a vital role in his team’s success in the recent past. If the Pakistan-born manages to get a good start, he can cause some damage in the match.

The southpaw Kinchit Shah has looked in good touch in the tournament and scored 30 off 28 deliveries against India. The Indian-born player is also a part time spinner but the captain is yet to use him properly. In Sharjah, where the ball is expected to turn, Kichit may come into action. Meanwhile, Zeeshan Ali has also played in the tournament so far. The talented middle-order batter played at a strike-rate of 152.94 and scored 26 off 17 deliveries against India. 

Scott Mckechnie has had an average tournament so far but he played well against India as the wicket-keeper batter scored 16 off eight and struck two fours and a six. He can prove valuable against Pakistan if Hong Kong get a good start. There’s enough firepower in the middle-order but it’s the top order that needs to go hard right from the first ball.

All-rounder- Aizaz Khan

Aizaz Khan will bat at number five, just above Zeeshan Ali. The allrounder had a decent tournament so far but things could have been better against India. He couldn’t hold his nerve during the high pressure game but against Pakistan, he will look for retribution. The entire nation will look forward to seeing the best version of him against Pakistan.

Bowlers- Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan, Mohammad Ghazanfar

After having a poor season so far, Haroon Arshad might get dropped in the match against Pakistan. He scored some quick runs against India but gave away too many with the ball. Ateeq Iqbal can replace him in the team. He played only one match in the tournament, against Singapore, when he bowled just one over and gave away six runs. 

Ehsan Khan is Hong Kong's strike bowler. The 37-year-old looked sharp against India and his yorkers didn't allow the batters to hit the ball. He can be economical and that can help the team register Pakistan on a low total. Like Ehsan, Mohammad Ghazanfar also had a good game against India. On a turning pitch of Sharjah, Ghazanfar can be the difference among the two teams.