Asia Cup 2018: Khaleel-Kuldeep help India win by 26 runs, survive Hong Kong scare: As it happened

It's all over! India have managed to win this game by 26 runs but Hong Kong had almost given them a scare in the run chase. Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath's 174-run opening stand had pushed Men In Blue on the back foot. They must be proud of their effort in this run chase as Hong Kong won heart with their game. India on the other hand will have a lot of catching up to do before the match against Pakistan.

A huge round of applause to Hong Kong for their resilience and determination in giving India a run for their money. Good innings from @SDhawan25 & @RayuduAmbati and Khaleel Ahmed was very impressive #AsiaCup

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 18, 2018

Wicket! Khaleel Ahmed catches Ehsan Khan off his own ball and gets rid of the set batsman for 22. Hong Kong - 256/8. He now becomes 16th Indian bowler to take three wickets on ODI debut. None of the previous 15 took the fourth wicket.

Dhawan’s century notwithstanding, star Indian player tonite Khaleel Ahmed. Bowled with pace, skill and control, picking up two wickets at a crucial time to tilt match his team’s way. Big find

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 18, 2018

Harsha Bhogle praises young Khaleel Ahmed.

Very impressed with Khaleel. Offers the team an option in case it is felt that Bhuvi isn't ready yet after his injury. Looked rusty today.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 18, 2018

Wicket! Scott McKechnie (7) is stumped by MS Dhoni and Kuldeep Yadav gets his second breakthrough. Hong Kong 246/7 after 47 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav - 50th ODI wicket in his 24th match. Only Ajit Agarkar has done it quicker (23rd ODI) for India.
But by far the quickest by an Indian spinner - Amit Mishra did it in 32 matches!
(Yuzvendra Chahal has 48 wkts in 27 games)#IndvHK#AsiaCup #AsiaCup2018

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 18, 2018

After 46 overs, Hong Kong are 235/6. Khaleel conceded just 5 runs off that over. 50 runs needed off 24 balls.

Wicket! Another wicket for Chahal as he traps new-man-in Aizaz Khan for duck with a googly. The batsman was trapped in front and the umpire rules in his favour. Hong Kong - 228/6.

Wicket! Yuzvendra Chahal gets rid of Kinchit Shah for 17 as the batsman mistimed it and paid the price. Dhawan catches it. HK - 227/5.

13 runs leaked by Yuzvendra Chahal off that over as Hong Kong reach 220/4 in 43 overs. They need 66 off 42 balls. 220 is the highest score chasing in ODIs. Their previous best was 213 against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2016.

Wicket! Yuzvendra Chahal finally gets a wicket in the game as he removes dangerous looking Babar Hayat for 18. The batsman tried to cut the wrist spinner but edged the ball and MS Dhoni pouched it. Hong Kong - 199/4.

Nizakat Khan's memorable knock of 92 comes to an end as he's trapped in front by Khaleel Ahmed. This is first ODI wicket for the pacer in his debut game. He took the DRS but in vain. Hong Kong - 175/2.

Anshuman Rath. Nizakat Khan. Well played. Excellent. Day to remember.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 18, 2018

Wicket! Finally something positive for India as Kuldeep Yadav gets the breakthrough by removing Hong Kong captain Anshuman Rath for 73. Hong Kong lost their first wicket at 174/1 in 34.1 overs.

We could be looking at perhaps the biggest upset in ODI cricket if Hong Kong beat India...

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 18, 2018

Hong Kong have reached 144/0 after 30 overs, they now require 142 more runs to win this one. India have put some brake on the run flow in the last five overs but they haven't yet managed to break the partnership.

Looking like a worrying day for India in the field. Well, more than that actually. Irrespective of where this goes from here, put your hands together for Hong Kong.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 18, 2018

Fifty up for captain Anshuman Rath and against a quality Indian side. Kudos to the youngster for showing such composure.

50! For captain @anshyrath!

Calm, composed and correct. He's lead from the front today. Can he finish it off?#HongKongGaYau #香港加油#AsiaCup2018 #INDvHK #AsiaCup #AsiaCup18#HKProud #HKCricket#FlyHigh #乘載飛凡夢想 @CathayPacific@Paradigmhk

Photo Credit - @ACCMedia1 pic.twitter.com/pIzy42ybyB

— Hong Kong Cricket (@CricketHK) September 18, 2018

Hong Kong reach 135/0 after 28 overs, and they need 151 more runs to win and have 22 overs in hand. Nizakat Khan is batting at 77* can he convert this innings into a fine hundred? If he stays at the crease, Hong Kong might even pull this run chase off and upset India.

Too many easy singles maybe that’s why Nizakat and Anshuman playing safe and not trying any brave shots. #INDvHK

— R P Singh (@rpsingh) September 18, 2018

The opening partnership has reached 121 in 23 overs for Hong Kong and things are looking threatening for India. Hong Kong are cruising in the run chase. India have tried 6 bowlers but none of them have managed to get a wicket.

100-run stand between Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath and this his Hong Kong's best opening stand. India are in pressure as their bowlers are still searching for a wicket. Nothing has worked for them so far.

India lose their review as Rohit Sharma takes a desperate review to break the opening partnership between Anshuman and Nizakat. Kuldeep's delivery had pitched outside the leg stump. Hong Kong have reached 91/0 in 16 overs. India are in a spot of bother.

Hong Kong openers showing grit and flair. Huge pressure building up on India!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 18, 2018

After 15 overs, Hong Kong have reached 89 and they haven't yet lost any wickets. The minnows are going strongly in the run chase and India captain Rohit Sharma is wondering what should they do get the breakthrough.

Fifty! SIX on free hit delivery and this brings up fifty for Nizakat Khan. What a way to reach half-century against a team that is the best in the world. Good positive cricket from Hong Kong. They have reached 77/0 after 12 overs.

Yuzvendra Chahal has been introduced by skipper Rohit Sharma in the 11th over as the pacers failed to get any wicket in the powerplay. These are worrying signs for India.

End of 10 overs and Hong Kong reached 56 and haven't lost any wicket. India have used three pacers namely, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed and Shardul Thakur. But none of them could get a breakthrough.

Hong Kong have had a positive start in the powerplay as they are scoring runs at a decent rate and haven't lost any wickets. HK - 47/0 after 9 overs.

Good start from Hong Kong as they have not lost any wickets to Indian pacers and have already scored 35 runs from the first 7 overs. Khaleel Ahmed and Bhuvneshwar Kumar haven't got any breakthroughs with the new ball.

Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed starts with the second new ball in his debut game and concedes just 1 run off it. HK - 6/0 after 2 overs.

Hong Kong begin their run chase against India. Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath start batting. Bhuvneshwar Kumar starts with the new ball.

End of the innings! India post 285/7 against Hong Kong in 50 overs. Dhawan (127) and Rayudu(60) were the top scorers for them as rest of the batsmen didn't do well. The Indians will have to work on their batting before the big game tomorrow. Hong Kong spinners bowled well against a quality batting side.

Wicket! Shardul Thakur departs for duck as he's caught at long-off. India lose their seventh wicket.

Wicket! Kinchit gets another wicket as Bhuvneshwar Kumar departs for 9. India are 277/6.

After 48 overs, India have reached 275/5. Just 4 runs came from this over. India's batting hasn't been up to the mark tonight and some impressive bowling from Hong Kong.

Wicket! India have lost 3 wickets in a gap of 8 runs. DineshKarthik (33) pulls Kinchit Shah but finds the fielder in the deep. India - 249/5. Not the ideal batting practice from the Indians as they have lost 5 wickets against minnows Hong Kong.