The Pakistan cricket team has landed in India, gearing up for their inaugural warm-up match against New Zealand. They received a heartwarming reception upon their arrival. While the cricketing world is abuzz with preparations for the World Cup 2023, the Asian Games 2023 is also showcasing thrilling cricket matches.
Following the conclusion of women's cricket, the men's teams are now in the spotlight. Among the standout performances, Babar Hayat of Hong Kong delivered a stellar batting display in a match against Cambodia.
In the Group B match held in Hangzhou, China, Cambodia batted first, managing a modest total of 70 runs. Opener Ram Sharan was the top scorer with 27 runs, while five of his teammates failed to score. Team captain Luqman Butt contributed a decent 17 runs.
Nasrullah Rana from Hong Kong was the chief tormentor, claiming four Cambodian wickets. However, the highlight of the match was Babar Hayat's explosive batting.
Babar Hayat's Blitz in Hangzhou
Chasing a target of 71 in 20 overs, Hong Kong's captain Nizakat Khan made a quick 34 off 21 balls. Following him, Babar Hayat unleashed a barrage of boundaries, amassing 40 runs in merely 12 balls. His innings, peppered with five sixes and a four, boasted a strike rate of 333.33. Hong Kong achieved the target in just 5.5 overs. Despite representing Hong Kong, Babar's performance sent waves of excitement among Pakistani fans on social media.
It's worth noting that the Indian youth cricket team is en route to China for the Asian Games cricket matches. Their first game, a quarterfinal, is scheduled for October 3. The team is in high spirits and well-prepared. Concurrently, while the senior team competes in the World Cup, the Indian youth squad will be vying for honours in the Asian Games 2023.
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