Asia Cup 2018: Dhawan, Khaleel star as India beat spirited Hong Kong

Shikhar Dhawan’s brilliant century and Khaleel Ahmed’s outstanding bowling performance was enough for India to register their first victory in the Asia Cup 2018 when they defeated spirited Hong Kong side by 26 runs in Dubai on Tuesday. 

After being put into bat first, the Men in Blue posted a formidable total of 285 for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs. 

The star of the show was opener Dhawan, who scored his 13th century in the 50-over format and finished with 127 runs off 120 balls with the help of 15 fours and two sixes. 

For Hong Kong, right-arm off-spinner Kinchit Shah was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed three wickets. 

In reply, the minnows showed great fighting spirit and at one stage looked set to cause another upset in the tournament with a 174-run partnership for the first wicket. 

But as soon as captain Anshuman Rath departed in the 35th over, team India used their experience to good effect and restricted their opponents to 259-8 in their allotted 50 overs. 

Opener Nizakat Khan was the star of the show for Hong Kong as he scored 92 off 115 balls with the help of 12 fours and one six. 

For India, pacer Khaleel and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed three wickets each.