Pakistan have defeated Hong Kong by 225 runs in the opening match of the Emerging Teams Asia Cup at National Stadium in Karachi.

After being asked to bat first by the visitors, Pakistan dominated proceedings from the word go with the openers — Sahibzada Farhan and Ali Imran — notching up a 219-run partnership. 

Farhan (130) and Imran (107) scored well compiled centuries to help Pakistan set Hong Kong a daunting target of 367 runs.

Khushdil Shah contributed with an explosive knock of 83 runs off just 40 balls while skipper Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 33 runs.

For Hong Kong, Aizaz Khan picked up two wickets but went for 92 runs in nine overs.

In reply, the visitors got off to a disastrous start — losing four wickets inside the first ten overs. This included a hat-trick by medium-pacer Mohammad Ilyas in the eight over of the innings — who ended up with figures of 5-35 in seven overs.

Hong Kong were bundled out for 141 in 34 overs with wicketkeeper-batsman Shahid Wasif top-scoring with 59 runs.

For his brilliant bowling, Ilyas bagged the award for the player of the match.

Pakistan’s next match is against UAE on December 7 whereas on December 9, they will feature against Bangladesh — with both matches taking place at National Stadium in Karachi.