Nadeem Ahmed, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler from Hong Kong, claimed impressive figures of 4/51 to rattle the hosts’ top and middle-order, leaving them in tatters at 161/7 at one juncture. However, Tanvir’s lusty striking towards the end and a 100-run partnership with Alam helped the hosts recover from the worrying state of affairs.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik won the toss, elected to bat first, and surprisingly, opened the batting alongside star southpaw Salman Butt. The new duo at the helm did not last long as the latter nicked a straightforward Irfan Ahmed delivery to wicketkeeper Atkinson. Younis Khan (67 runs, 65 balls, 8x4, 1x6) joined Malik and the duo added 58 runs for the third-wicket until Nadeem Ahmed got into the act.
Ahmed impressed with the amount of air he gave his deliveries and control in line and length. His dismissal of Misbah-ul-Haq was a classic as he trapped the right-handed batsman plumb in front with a delivery that held its line.
Pakistan will feel confident about defending the total and qualifying to the second stage of the tournament. A juvenile Hong Kong team will hope to put up a laudable fight at Karachi.
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