India defeat Hong Kong to qualify for Super 4s

India became the first team from Group A to qualify for the Super 4s. They remain unbeaten in the group after defeating Hong Kong in their second match on Wednesday.

India had 38 runs for the first wicket as Rohit Sharma got out for 21. KL Rahul, who was struggling with his timing, was the second wicket to fall at 94/2. Rahul made 36.

Virat Kohli was then joined by Suryakumar Yadav in the middle.

While Kohli took his time to get things going, Yadav went berserk right from ball one. He ended with an unbeaten 68 from just 26 deliveries. The knock had six fours and as many sixes. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, ended with an unbeaten 59 from 44 deliveries. He had three sixes as well.

Ayush Shukla was the pick of the bowlers for Hong Kong with 1/29.

India then dismissed Yasim Murtaza and Nizahat Khan early. Babar Hayat and Kinchit Shah then added cameos to the total but it wasn’t enough to chase down 192. India, in the end, won the game by 40 runs.

They become the 1st team from Group A to get to the Super-4s and are the second team after Afghanistan.

Talking after the loss, Hong Kong captain Nizakat Khan said that the Asia Cup was a big opportunity for the team. He also added that they will look into the death bowling and will improve before the next match.

“I think the way we started with the ball, we were amazing till 13th over, fielding was good too. But we slipped after that, especially in the death overs, but the way Suryakumar batted, it was good to watch. I think it [Asia Cup] was a big opportunity for all the boys. I know we were away for a long time, boys were playing with injuries, credit goes to them, very proud of them. I think we’re going to sit down tomorrow, we will look at our death bowling, we will improve in the next game.”

Hong Kong are still in the competition. Everything goes to the final league match between Hong Kong and Pakistan. Whoever wins that game will get into the next round.