Malik mauls Hong Kong

Asia Cup: Pakistan v Hong Kong
July 18, 2004 at SSC, Colombo

Career best knocks by both Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan helped Pakistan drub Hong Kong by 173 runs in the fifth match of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

Malik, in particular was the villain for Hong Kong, as he complemented his century (118 off 110 balls) with exceptional bowling figures of 19-4, during the minnows' daunting chase.

Batting first, Pakistan scored 343-5 in their 50 overs, thanks largely to Malik and Khan's heroics. The latter made 144 off 122 balls, sharing a 223 run third-wicket partnership with the former.

By the time the partnership was broken, Pakistan were 273-3, well on their way to a huge total. Quick-fire dashes by Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan and Mohammed Sami helped boost the score well beyond 300.

Hong Kong never looked in contention to challenge the Pakistan bowlers, but they tried to restore some pride, by trying to last the full quota of fifty overs. They were right on track to do so until the 25th over, by which they had reached 95-2.

However, a collapse induced by Malik, reduced them to 102-7, before tailenders M Cheruparambil and Afzaal Haider offered some resistance.

Pakistan 343 for 5 (50 overs)
Shoaib Malik 118(110), Younis Khan 144(122), Khalid Khan 62-2(10)
Hong Kong 165 all out (44.1 overs)
Tabarak Dar 36(43), M Cheruparambil 30(44), Mohammed Sami 16-2(7), Shoaib Malik 19-4(9.1), Imran Farhat 10-3(4)

Pakistan (6 points) beat Hong Kong (0 points) by 173 runs (D/L Method).

Posted by Sudeep