Dubai, Aug 31 (UNI) Surya Kumar Yadav's unbeaten 68 off 26 and Virat Kohli's 31st fifty, propelled India to post a mammoth total of 192/2 against Hong Kong in the 4th T20 match in 2022 Asia Cup at Dubai International Stadium here on Wednesday.
In the final over, SKY clubbed four sixes off Haroon Arshad, giving India a very strong target for Hong Kong. Overall, he hammered six fours and as many sixes, at a strike rate of 261.53, while Virat remained unbeaten on 59 off 44, with one four and three sixes.
Both Virat and SKY sewed up a 98-run stand for third wicket in just 42 balls, which changed the complexion of the game, considering India started off in first-gear mode.
In the first 10 overs, India managed just 70/1, keeping in view India's pulsating T20 record in bilateral series against England and Sri Lanka.
Initially the pitch was a bit sticky with the ball nipping around. However KL Rahul and Captain Rohit Sharma managed to score 36 and 21, respectively before they departed.
However, SKY made the pitch look different as he crafted daredevil scoops and drives, as stated to club sixes off the cursed Hong Kong bowling attack.
Virat also found his form in the later half of the innings, bringing about sixes, holding the stamped insignia of his strokemaking on the leg side enroute to scoring a 50 after a long time.
The 193 runs target should be a difficult run chase for Hong Kong, keeping in view India's quality bowling attack, but stranger things have happened in cricket before.
Brief Scores: India 192/2 in 20 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 68 not out, Virat Kohli 59 not out; Mohammad Ghazanfar -19, Ayush Shukla 1-29) against Hong Kong.
UNI BDN GK