Pakistan batters HK in Asia Cup opener

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-26  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

SOHAIL Tanvir helped rescue Pakistan's innings with a half century and then took two for 20 to complete a 155-run victory over Hong Kong in Karachi on Tuesday in their opening group match at the Asia Cup.

Tanvir's 59 rallied Pakistan to 288 for nine off its 50 overs and then returned with his left-arm fast bowling to lead Hong Kong's dismissal for 133 in 37.2 overs.

The inexperienced Hong Kong batsmen struggled with the pace of Pakistan's bowling, and captain Tabarak Dar had to retire hurt after Umar Gul's bouncer struck him on the head. He later returned, but was soon trapped leg before wicket by Shahid Afridi.

"We were on the up for some sessions but we need to work on match fitness," Dar said. "The more we play against better nations, the more we would improve."

Zain Abbas had 26 to top Hong Kong's batsmen, but also retired with cramping.

Spinners Afridi (2-30) and Fawad Alam (1-8) also pitched in while Younis Khan's leg-break bowling trapped Najeeb Amar leg before wicket.

Earlier, Tanvir and left-handed batsman Alam featured in Asia Cup's record-breaking eighth wicket stand when they put on 100 runs after top order batsmen collapsed against 20-year-old left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed.

Ahmed took four for 51 off 21 deliveries, reducing Pakistan to 161 for seven in the 30th over before Alam (63 not out) and Tanvir (59) joined together.

In Lahore, Mohammad Ashraful hit his first one-day international century in three years and led Bangladesh to a 96-run victory against United Arab Emirates in their Asia Cup group match.

Ashraful's 109 off 126 balls lifted Bangladesh to 300 for eight off its 50 overs, and the Emirates were bowled out for 204 in 45.4 overs.

Khurram Khan, playing only his third one-day international, fought a lone battle and top scored for the Emirates with 78, while opener Arshad Ali added 41.