Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong (Source: @OfficialSLC/X.com)
It turned out to be a classic thriller here in Dubai, where Sri Lanka beat Hong Kong by four wickets after the game reached the second-last over. On the back of Pathum Nissanka's 68, Sri Lanka chased down 150 in 18.5 overs, where Hong Kong gave away runs after slippery fielding efforts.
Here, we take a look at the highlights of the 8th match of the Asia Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, as it panned out at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Monday, September 15.
Nizakat Khan's 52 Steers Hong Kong To 149
The Sri Lankan side won the toss and opted to bowl first, where Hong Kong had a decent start with openers Zeeshan Ali and Anshuman Rath stitching a 41-run stand for the first wicket. When Ali had to depart after Dushmantha Chameera bowled a wonderful delivery, sending back the opener for 23.
However, after that, Anshuman Rath continued his merry ways and scored a brilliant 48 off 46 deliveries with four boundaries.
After this, Nizakat Khan came onto the crease and knocked an outstanding 52 not out off 38 deliveries with four boundaries and two maximums, taking Hong Kong to 149 for the loss of four wickets after the completion of their 20 overs. Chameera proved his mettle, picking two crucial wickets for 29 runs in his four overs.
Pathum Nissanka's Valiant Knock Takes Sri Lanka To Tense Victory
While Sri Lanka, in reply, chasing 150 for victory, started off decently as well, but lost opener Kusal Mendis for just 11, who had faced 14 deliveries. Kamil Mishara came in and scored 19 off 18, putting Sri Lanka at a bit of ease because of the fact that Pathum Nissanka was at the other end, who played a gem of a knock, scoring 68 off 44 deliveries with six boundaries and two maximums, batting at a strike rate of 154.55 as he kept the Sri Lankan team in the hunt against the Hong Kong side.
Nissanka, however, was run out in the crucial stages of the game, following which Sri Lanka had a mini-collapse, as after reaching 119 for 2, they were all of a sudden 127 for 6 with many of their batters back in the pavilion out of nowhere.
In the final stages of the game, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka were at the crease when Hasaranga received a no-free-hit delivery, utilising which he smashed for a six and later a few boundaries here and there, taking Sri Lanka to victory in 18.5 overs, where they won by four wickets and with seven deliveries to spare.
Hasaranga scored 20* off nine deliveries with two boundaries and a maximum as Hong Kong dropped plenty of catches along the way, giving Sri Lankan batters quite a few chances.
From the Hong Kong bowling lineup, it was skipper Yasim Murtaza who picked up two wickets on his way, as the bowlers were not very well supported by fielders who did not come to the party. Thanks to this crucial victory, Sri Lanka now stands at the top of the table with two wins in two matches, while Hong Kong have been eliminated with three losses in three games.
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