Dubai [UAE], Sept 19 (NT): India survived scare win beating Hong Kong by 26 runs in Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium here on Tuesday for ongoing Asia cup 2018 prestigious tournament.

Hong Kong openers Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan made a tremendous 174-run partnership and gave some strong shock to the Indian camp and fans, but the Men in Blue in captaincy of Rohit Sharma fought back to settle a 26-run win.

Hong Kong won the toss and invited India to bat first. The Indian openers, Shikhar Dhawan with his ton in which he scored 127 runs gave a good start to the Men in Blue, while Spinner Ehsan Khan provided the first breakthrough to Hong Kong.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was failed to impress with the bat, as he walked back to the pavilion without scoring. India gave a target of 286 runs to Hong Kong and it made a vigilant start to their innings, coupled with India's misfielding disorder.

For India, Khaleel and Chahal scalped three for 48 and three for 46 respectively. Kuldeep grabbed two for 42. Dhawan was regarded as being Man of the Match for his radiant innings.

India will now take on with arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on Wednesday. The most-awaited match is likely to be a cracker of a match in this year's Asia Cup.