By Tanzeel Ul Rehman | September 27, 2026
Pakistan are clear favourites in the Pakistan vs Hong Kong quarter final prediction for the Asian Games 2026, with a 75 percent chance in our view. The match starts at 9:00 AM local time on Monday, September 28 (5:00 AM in Pakistan) at Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin. Pakistan have more talent almost everywhere. But they have not played a single game in Japan yet, Hong Kong have already played twice at this ground, and rain has washed out two of the six matches here so far.
This preview covers what the rain rules could mean, the numbers from every game played at this venue, the full history between the two sides and a fantasy team built for a low scoring pitch. For the bigger picture of the competition, see our Asian Games 2026 cricket hub.
QF1 at a Glance: Pakistan vs Hong Kong, China
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Quarter Final 1, men’s cricket, Asian Games 2026 |
| Teams | Pakistan vs Hong Kong, China |
| Date | Monday, September 28, 2026 |
| Local start | 9:00 AM (Japan) |
| Venue | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Aichi |
| Format | T20 |
| Captains | Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan), Yasim Murtaza (Hong Kong) |
| Winner plays | Winner of QF3 (Sri Lanka vs Nepal) in Semi Final 1 on October 1 |
In a knockout, one bad hour ends your tournament, and that shapes our Pakistan vs Hong Kong quarter final prediction more than any stat. That is the only real reason Hong Kong have a chance here. Pakistan came straight in as one of the four seeded teams, based on ICC rankings, while Hong Kong had to fight through Group B. The winner is two wins away from gold. The loser goes home without a medal.
What Time Is Pakistan vs Hong Kong in Your Country?
| Region | Start time |
|---|---|
| Japan (JST) | 9:00 AM, Mon Sep 28 |
| Hong Kong (HKT) | 8:00 AM, Mon Sep 28 |
| Pakistan (PKT) | 5:00 AM, Mon Sep 28 |
| India (IST) | 5:30 AM, Mon Sep 28 |
| UK (BST) | 1:00 AM, Mon Sep 28 |
For fans in Pakistan, this is a very early start. Set an alarm for about 4:45 AM if you want to see the toss.
What Happens If Rain Washes Out the Quarter Final?
This question matters more than usual. On Saturday, both Group A and Group B deciders were hit by rain. Japan vs Nepal ended with no result after Nepal’s innings, and Malaysia vs Oman was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Monday’s forecast in Nisshin shows around 60 percent chance of rain, humidity above 90 percent and temperatures near 25°C.
In a group match, a washout simply splits the points. A knockout needs a winner. At the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, the washed out final between India and Afghanistan was settled on seeding, and India took gold as the higher ranked side. If the same approach is used here, a complete washout would send Pakistan through as the seeded team. That puts all the pressure on Hong Kong. They need a result, and they need to win it.
A shortened match is the more likely outcome, and that cuts the other way. Shorter games are more random, and a 10 over contest gives the weaker side a better chance than a full 20 overs. Hong Kong’s bowlers already know how this pitch plays, which helps in a rushed game.
Malaysia reached the knockouts from the same washout, a scenario we covered in our Malaysia vs Oman decider preview.
How Did Hong Kong Reach the Quarter Finals?
Hong Kong’s route was bumpy. In their opener they were bowled out for 81 for 9 by Malaysia and lost by 8 wickets with 48 balls to spare. Only Shiv Mathur’s 29 off 39 stopped a total collapse, and at one point they were 31 for 5. Our Hong Kong vs Malaysia preview had flagged their top order as the worry, and it proved correct.
They recovered well against Oman. Hafeez Khan made 33 and Babar Hayat 23, and a late stand of 25 between Yasim Murtaza and Ehsan Khan pushed them to 121 for 8. That turned out to be plenty. Ayush Shukla took 3 for 23 and Mohammad Ghazanfar 2 for 10, and Oman managed only 80 for 6. The 41 run win, which our Hong Kong vs Oman preview looked ahead to, sealed second place in Group B behind Malaysia.
What those two games tell us is that Hong Kong’s bowling is good enough for this level, but their batting is not reliable. They have not passed 125 in the tournament. Against Pakistan’s spinners, they may need to.
Why Is This Pakistan Squad So Different?
If you are expecting Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan or Shaheen Shah Afridi, you will not see them. The PCB picked a younger, second string squad for the Asian Games, led by Sahibzada Farhan, with Abdul Samad as vice captain.
That does not make it a weak side. Farhan was the leading run scorer at the 2026 T20 World Cup with 383 runs, and he has been scoring at a strike rate above 150 in recent T20Is. Saim Ayub opens with him and also bowls off spin. The attack is built around two spinners who suit slow pitches, Abrar Ahmed and left arm wrist spinner Sufyan Moqim. Moqim has taken 10 wickets in his last three matches.
The weakness is experience. Several players have played only a handful of internationals, and none of them have played at Kōrogi Sports Park. There is also history to fix. In 2023, a similar Pakistan squad beat Hong Kong in the quarter final, then lost the semi final to Afghanistan and the bronze match to Bangladesh, and went home with nothing. This group will know that story well.
What Do Six Games at Kōrogi Sports Park Tell Us?
Most previews call this pitch “balanced”. The numbers from the group stage say otherwise.
| Match | First innings | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan vs Japan | 129/6 | Team batting first won |
| Hong Kong vs Malaysia | 81/9 | Team chasing won |
| Hong Kong vs Oman | 121/8 | Team batting first won |
| Afghanistan vs Nepal | 102/7 | Team chasing won |
| Japan vs Nepal | 149/4 (15 overs) | No result, rain |
| Malaysia vs Oman | No play | Abandoned |
In the four completed 20 over first innings, the average score is 108. The highest is 129. No side has made 150 in a full game. The one big number, Nepal’s 149 in 15 overs, came in a shortened match where batters could swing freely from ball one.
The pitch is slow and grips for spinners, and the morning starts bring humidity that helps seamers early. Wins are split 2 to 2 between batting first and chasing, so the toss is not decisive.
What this means for the Pakistan vs Hong Kong quarter final: a par score is about 130 to 140. If Pakistan bat first and reach 150, that should be enough. If Hong Kong bat first, they need 125 or more to have a real chance.
Pakistan vs Hong Kong Head to Head: Every Meeting Explained
Pakistan have won both T20Is between these sides. They have also won all three ODIs, played at the Asia Cups of 2004, 2008 and 2018.
Asia Cup 2022: The 38 All Out Game
In Sharjah in September 2022, Pakistan made 193 for 2, with Mohammad Rizwan 73 not out and Fakhar Zaman 53. Hong Kong were then bowled out for 38 in 10.4 overs. Shadab Khan took 4 for 8 and Mohammad Nawaz 3 for 5. Extras were Hong Kong’s top scorer with 10. It is still Hong Kong’s lowest T20I total and Pakistan’s biggest T20I win, by 155 runs.
Asian Games 2023: The Quarter Final That Was Closer Than It Looks
The 68 run margin in Hangzhou hides a nervy start. Pakistan were put in to bat and slipped to 76 for 3, with Ayush Shukla taking four wickets. Aamer Jamal’s 41 in the middle order dragged them to 160 all out. Hong Kong were then bowled out for 92.
That game is the better guide for Monday. It was an Asian Games quarter final with a young Pakistan side on a slow surface, and Hong Kong’s bowlers had Pakistan in trouble for a long stretch. Shukla is still Hong Kong’s main spinner.
Pakistan vs Hong Kong Records Table
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| T20I meetings | 2, Pakistan won both |
| ODI meetings | 3, Pakistan won all three |
| Highest T20I total | Pakistan 193/2, Sharjah, 2022 |
| Lowest T20I total | Hong Kong 38, Sharjah, 2022 |
| Top T20I score | Mohammad Rizwan, 73*, 2022 |
| Best T20I bowling (Pakistan) | Shadab Khan, 4/8, 2022 |
| Best T20I bowling (Hong Kong) | Ayush Shukla, 4 wickets, Hangzhou 2023 |
| Biggest win | Pakistan by 155 runs, 2022 |
None of the 2022 stars are in this Pakistan squad, which is why the 2023 meeting tells you more about Monday than the 38 all out does.
Pakistan vs Hong Kong Squads for Asian Games 2026
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice captain), Saim Ayub, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Arafat Minhas, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Saad Masood, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim
Hong Kong, China: Yasim Murtaza (captain), Babar Hayat (vice captain), Nizakat Khan, Anshuman Rath, Anas Khan, Hafeez Khan, Shiv Mathur (wicketkeeper), Shahid Wasif (wicketkeeper), Ehsan Khan, Nasrulla Rana, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Hassan Khan, Rajab Hussain, Mohammad Waheed
There is an interesting subplot here. A large part of Hong Kong’s squad has Pakistani roots, and vice captain Babar Hayat was born in Attock. For several of their players, this is a match against the country they grew up following. Full squads for every team are in our Asian Games 2026 schedule and squads guide.
Pakistan vs Hong Kong Quarter Final Possible Playing 11
Pakistan Possible XI
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saim Ayub | Opener, part time off spin |
| 2 | Sahibzada Farhan (c) | Opener |
| 3 | Haider Ali | Top order |
| 4 | Hasan Nawaz | Middle order |
| 5 | Usman Khan (wk) | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 6 | Abdul Samad | Finisher |
| 7 | Arafat Minhas | Spin all rounder |
| 8 | Ahmed Daniyal | Fast bowler |
| 9 | Abrar Ahmed | Leg spinner |
| 10 | Sufyan Moqim | Left arm wrist spinner |
| 11 | Akif Javed | Left arm fast |
On a slow pitch, Pakistan could pick three spinners with Arafat Minhas as the third. Maaz Sadaqat is the option if they want another left handed bat, and Mohammad Salman Mirza if they prefer a second left arm seamer for the humid morning.
Hong Kong, China Possible XI
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nizakat Khan | Opener |
| 2 | Anshuman Rath | Opener |
| 3 | Babar Hayat | Top order |
| 4 | Hafeez Khan | Middle order |
| 5 | Shiv Mathur | Middle order |
| 6 | Yasim Murtaza (c) | All rounder |
| 7 | Shahid Wasif (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| 8 | Ehsan Khan | Off spinner, lower order hitter |
| 9 | Nasrulla Rana | Seamer |
| 10 | Ayush Shukla | Spinner |
| 11 | Mohammad Ghazanfar | Spinner |
Expect Hong Kong to keep the XI that beat Oman. Changing a winning side before a knockout is rarely their style.
Player Battles That Could Decide QF1
Sahibzada Farhan vs Ayush Shukla. Farhan is the best batter in this match by some distance. Shukla is the one bowler who has hurt a Pakistan side like this one before. If Hong Kong’s captain holds Shukla back for Farhan and gets him in the first eight overs, the Pakistan middle order will be facing a scoreboard pressure it has not handled well in the past.
Babar Hayat vs Abrar Ahmed. Hayat is Hong Kong’s most experienced batter and plays leg spin better than most of his teammates. Abrar’s variations are the main reason Pakistan are favourites. If Hayat lasts ten overs, Hong Kong can push past 130.
Shiv Mathur vs Sufyan Moqim. Mathur has been Hong Kong’s steadiest batter in Nisshin, with 41 runs across two games. Moqim’s left arm wrist spin turns away from right handers. It is a good test of whether Hong Kong’s middle order can rotate the strike against quality spin.
PAK vs HK Dream11 Prediction for the Quarter Final
On a low scoring pitch, bowlers and all rounders carry more fantasy value than usual. This team reflects that.
| Role | Picks |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeepers | Usman Khan |
| Batters | Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Hayat, Shiv Mathur |
| All rounders | Saim Ayub, Yasim Murtaza, Arafat Minhas |
| Bowlers | Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim, Ayush Shukla, Ehsan Khan |
Split: Pakistan 6, Hong Kong 5.
Captain and Vice Captain Picks
- Captain: Saim Ayub. He opens the batting and can bowl four overs of off spin on a pitch that suits it. That gives him two ways to score, which matters when a total of 130 is enough to win.
- Vice captain: Abrar Ahmed. He is Pakistan’s main wicket taker, and Hong Kong’s batters have struggled against quality spin in both group games.
Safer option: if you would rather back runs, make Sahibzada Farhan captain. His recent form is the best of anyone in the game.
Picks for Grand Leagues
- Ayush Shukla: He is likely to be picked by few users, but he has a four wicket haul against Pakistan and took three wickets against Oman two days ago.
- Ehsan Khan: An off spinner who also hits in the lower order. He made 16 off 10 against Oman.
- If rain shortens the game: Load up on top order batters and death bowlers. In a 10 over match, most points go to openers and the bowlers who bowl the last five overs.
A reminder: paid fantasy leagues carry financial risk. Treat them as a hobby and set a limit before you play.
Toss Call: Bat or Chase in Nisshin?
Our view for the Pakistan vs Hong Kong quarter final: bowl first. There are two reasons. First, with rain likely, the team batting second knows the exact target under any revised calculation, and that is always an advantage in a shortened game. Second, a 9:00 AM start with high humidity gives seamers some early help, which Akif Javed or Nasrulla Rana can use.
The case for batting first is the slow pitch. Chasing on a surface that grips more as the day goes on can get awkward, as Hong Kong found against Malaysia. With the group results split 2 to 2, the rain factor tips us towards chasing.
Pakistan vs Hong Kong Quarter Final Prediction: Who Wins?
| Factor | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Top order batting | Pakistan (Farhan, Saim) |
| Spin bowling | Pakistan (Abrar, Moqim) |
| Knowledge of conditions | Hong Kong (two games played here) |
| Head to head | Pakistan (5 wins from 5 across formats) |
| Rain or washout | Pakistan (seeding) |
| Pressure of expectation | Hong Kong (nothing to lose) |
Prediction: Pakistan win the quarter final. Win chance: Pakistan 75 percent, Hong Kong 25 percent.
The gap in quality is real. Farhan arrives as the top run scorer of this year’s T20 World Cup, and Pakistan’s spinners are a level above anything Hong Kong faced in the group stage. The most likely path is Pakistan making 145 to 155 and bowling Hong Kong out for around 110.
Hong Kong’s path to an upset looks like 2023 with a better ending: early wickets from Shukla, Pakistan stuck below 125, and a calm chase built around Hayat and Mathur. It needs almost everything to go right, but it has nearly happened once before in exactly this fixture.
Where to Watch Pakistan vs Hong Kong Live
In India, the match is on the Sony Sports Network and the SonyLIV app. Viewers in Pakistan should check local sports channel listings on the morning of the match. For live scores, use ESPNcricinfo’s Asian Games coverage. To look back at the last meeting in this competition, the ESPNcricinfo scorecard from the 2023 quarter final has the full details.
Pakistan vs Hong Kong Quarter Final FAQs
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Who will win the Pakistan vs Hong Kong quarter final?
Pakistan are strong favourites, with a 75 percent chance in our prediction. They have better batting, a stronger spin attack and a perfect record against Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s hopes rest on early wickets and a short, rain affected game.
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What time does Pakistan vs Hong Kong start in Pakistan?
The match starts at 5:00 AM Pakistan time on Monday, September 28, 2026. That is 9:00 AM in Japan, 8:00 AM in Hong Kong and 5:30 AM in India.
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What happens if rain stops the Pakistan vs Hong Kong match?
If there is enough play for a result, it will be decided on a revised target. At the last Asian Games, a fully washed out knockout was settled on seeding. If that approach applies again, Pakistan would go through as the higher seeded team.
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Who is Pakistan’s captain at the Asian Games 2026?
Sahibzada Farhan is the captain and Abdul Samad is vice captain. Farhan was the top run scorer at the 2026 T20 World Cup with 383 runs.
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Why are Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi not playing?
The PCB sent a younger squad to the Asian Games and did not pick its senior T20 stars, so newer players get tournament experience.
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What is the Pakistan vs Hong Kong T20I head to head?
Pakistan have won both T20Is: by 155 runs at the 2022 Asia Cup, when Hong Kong were bowled out for 38, and by 68 runs in the 2023 Asian Games quarter final.
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Who will Pakistan play in the semi final if they win?
The winner of QF1 plays the winner of Sri Lanka vs Nepal in Semi Final 1 on October 1 at the same ground.
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Who is the best Dream11 captain for PAK vs HK?
Saim Ayub is our top pick because he scores points with both bat and ball. Sahibzada Farhan is the safer choice if you want a pure batter.
The Bottom Line
Our Pakistan vs Hong Kong quarter final prediction is a Pakistan win, probably with some room to spare. But this is a young team playing its first game in unfamiliar, humid, rain threatened conditions, against a side that took four of their wickets cheaply the last time these two met in an Asian Games knockout. Watch the first eight overs. If Farhan and Saim get Pakistan to 50 without loss, the semi final spot is close to sealed. If Shukla strikes early, Monday morning could get very interesting.
For every fixture and result from here to the gold medal match on October 3, follow our Asian Games 2026 schedule and squads page.
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