India survive a scare

India survived a scare against Hong Kong after Shikhar Dhawan's hundred as they battled to a 26-run win over the minnows in the Asia Cup on Tuesday.

Chasing a big 286-run target, Hong Kong gave their illustrious opponents a run for their money with an opening stand of 174 runs before collapsing to 259 for 8 in 50 overs.

India were lifted to 285 for 7 by a punishing 127 by Dhawan -- his 14th one-day international hundred -- and an attractive 60 by the recalled Ambati Rayudu at Dubai Stadium.

The Group A match was expected to be a one-sided affair, but Nizakat Khan scored a brilliant 115-ball 92 with 12 fours and a six, with skipper Anshuman Rath adding 73 to make India sweat for victory.

SCORES IN BRIEF

INDIA: 285 for 7 in 50 overs (Sharma 23, Dhawan 127, Rayudu 60, Karthik 33, Jadhav 28 not out; Ehsan 2-65, Shah 3-39)

HONG KONG: 259 for 8 in 50 overs (Nizakat 92, Anshuman 73, Ehsan 22; Ahmed 3-48, Chahal 3-46, Yadav 2-42)

Result: India won by 26 runs.