For a team that is still considered a minnow, the 2018 clash was a victory even though it wasn’t on papers
It is 2025, and Hong Kong still cannot be called a cricket-playing nation. In fact, it is an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), as it does not have Test status. However, India and Hong Kong still have a long way to go in the Asia Cup. After all, in 2004, India scripted the biggest victory in Asia Cup history by defeating Hong Kong by 256 runs. Therefore, Hong Kong, despite not being a cricket-playing nation, has been seeking revenge, and in 2018, it came remarkably close to being achieved.
(Credit- ICC)
In 2018, India met Hong Kong in the fourth game of the Asia Cup at the DICS, Dubai. Opting to bat first, India posted a target of 285 runs in 50 overs. Shikhar Dhawan stole the show with his 127 runs, whereas Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik scored 60 runs and 33 runs, respectively. Their efforts and India’s target should’ve made the game a walk in the park for the men in blue. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
Hong Kong put on a surprising act as their openers toyed with Indian bowlers. Nizakat Khan scored 92 runs in 115 balls at a strike rate of 80, whereas Anshy Rath supported him with 73 runs. When the two openers left, the scoreboard of Hong Kong read 175, hinting at a partial win.
(Credit- Sports Tak)
However, the Indian bowler came through just in time, not allowing the rest of the Hong Kong boys to settle. The middle and lower order still added whatever they could, getting 259 runs on the board at the expense of eight wickets, but no overs left.
India won the match by 26 runs, but the match was a shocker, a defeat avoided at the hands of Hong Kong. Had India lost that match, it would’ve been one of the biggest upsets in the world of cricket.
The Indian team were left surprised, and therefore, they visited the dressing room of Hong Kong to congratulate them for the gallant effort they had put in against India. Indian players shared their experience with Hong Kong, and it all ended with laughter, selfies, and respect between the two sides. In 2022, when India once again defeated Hong Kong in another Asia Cup clash, Hong Kong players were invited to the dressing room of India.
(Credit- NDTV Sports)
This year, Hong Kong is in Group B against the likes of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Against such strong opponents, their chances of proceeding in the next round seem next to nil. Therefore, there is little chance of Hong Kong meeting India on the field in 2025.
