Picture : ICC / Twitter
It was a match Indian fans expected their side to be clinical and efficient. But Indian fans got a rude shock as Rohit Sharma lead India just about managed to ward off a fighting Hong Kong team by 26 runs in Asia Cup encounter in Dubai.
Had not Shikhar Dhawan scored 127 off 120 balls and Ambati Rayudu ( 60) , India would have seen defeat breathing down their neck. Dhawan who was super flop during the Test series in England, found form in familiar slow conditions. His 14th ton helped India reach 285 for 7 . It one stage they looked on course for 320 or 330 target by Hong Kong bowlers at the end pulled things back. Skipper Rohit Sharma fell for 23. Dinesh Karthik 33, Kedar Yadav 28. For Hong Kong Kinchit Shah (3/39) and Ehsan Khan (2/65) were the wicket- takers.
In reply , Hong Kong , opening pair of Nizakat Khan (92) and skipper Anshuman Rath (73) added a record 174-run partnership to raise hopes of big upset but managed 259 for eight. Enough to scare India, who won by 26 runs at the end . Debutant Khaleel Ahmed 3/ 38 and Kuldeep Yadav 2/ 42 shone with the ball for India
