In a match that proved far more difficult than anticipated, Sri Lanka overcame plenty of hiccups to safe a four-wicket victory over Hong Kong of their Asia Cup 2025 Group B conflict in Dubai. Chasing a goal of 150, the Lankan Lions discovered themselves in hassle, however an excellent anchoring knock by opener Pathum Nissanka and a late cameo from Wanindu Hasaranga helped them recover from the road. The victory sees Sri Lanka prime their group with 4 factors, cementing their place as favourites for Tremendous 4 qualification.
Hong Kong’s batting gives a resolute problem
Defying expectations and their earlier two losses, Hong Kong’s batting lineup put up a resolute efficiency to put up a difficult whole of 149 for 4. They obtained off to a unbelievable begin with openers Zeeshan Ali and Anshuman Rath combining for a 41-run partnership earlier than the primary wicket fell. Whereas a number of wickets fell within the center overs, a key partnership between Rath and captain Nizakat Khan put them again on observe. Rath performed a effective knock of 48 off 46 balls earlier than his dismissal.
The innings’ true spotlight, nevertheless, was Nizakat’s unbeaten half-century, a masterful knock of 52 off 38 balls. With this rating, Nizakat grew to become solely the second Hong Kong batter to report a 50-plus rating within the T20 Asia Cup, a feat beforehand achieved solely by Babar Hayat. His profession tally in T20Is now stands at 2,376 runs, and this was his twelfth half-century within the format.
Additionally WATCH: Asia Cup 2025: Kusal Mendis’ fast restoration saves the day as Babar Hayat falls wanting his crease – SL vs HK
Pathum Nissanka’s anchor knock seals a hard-fought Sri Lankan win
Regardless of being the clear favourites, Sri Lanka’s run chase was removed from simple, as they misplaced wickets at common intervals and had been compelled to work laborious for his or her win. The chase was anchored by an excellent efficiency from opener Nissanka, who remained unfazed by the wickets tumbling round him. Nissanka’s composed knock of 78 not out was the spine of Sri Lanka’s innings, guaranteeing they by no means fell too far behind the required charge.
A late-innings cameo from all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who hammered an unbeaten 20 off simply 9 balls, offered the ultimate push wanted to get them over the road with simply six balls to spare. The match additionally noticed wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis equal a major report, matching the nice Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 45 wicket-keeping dismissals in T20Is. This difficult-fought victory was essential for Sri Lanka, taking them to the highest of Group B and securing their Tremendous 4 qualification.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Yeah, a win’s a win—however man, this one was tough. Hong Kong dropped six catches, and it actually messed them up. Truthfully, feels extra like Hong Kong threw away a sport they might’ve taken, fairly than Sri Lanka really profitable it. Sti Lanka must get their act collectively in the event that they…
— Senu_Kavi (@KaviSenu) September 15, 2025
Hasaranga takes Sri Lanka over the road in what may have been the primary upset this match.
Very un acceptable show of efficiency by the Lankan bowlers, batsmen and fielders. Approach under common.
Hong Kong dropped 7 catches. If one or two of them had been caught, we misplaced the… pic.twitter.com/tWHnoP7TLr
— Kanishka Roshan (@KrosaniTy) September 15, 2025
Shut shave for @OfficialSLC who had been on the verge of an embarrassing defeat in opposition to Hong Kong however @Wanindu49 ‘s cameo of 20 runs no in 9 balls saved them and took them over the road with an over to spare. #SLvHK https://t.co/nc9LHdUjEa
— Nikhil Ram (@Nikhil_Rams) September 15, 2025
Properly performed Hong Kong 👏 This match will solely make them a stronger and higher workforce than earlier than. Actually impressed with the combat 💯 however sure, they nonetheless want extra publicity at this degree.#AsiaCup #AsiaCupT20
— Stumper (@TheStumpStory) September 15, 2025
Sri Lanka keep away from a scare, finally profitable the sport by 4 wickets and seven balls to spare.
Hong Kong dropped 6 catches, Murtaza bowled a no ball on the worst attainable time, and within the first innings they managed simply 37 runs in 5 loss of life overs.
— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) September 15, 2025
Sri Lanka survived a scare in opposition to Hong Kong, profitable by 4 wickets with 7 balls to spare pic.twitter.com/I3Ju3h8n1I
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) September 15, 2025
A efficiency of immense coronary heart and combat from Our Hong Kong, China Males’s workforce on the AsiaCup2025, delivering our strongest efficiency but in opposition to a gifted Sri Lankan aspect.
Whereas the consequence might not replicate it, the grit, resilience, and talent on show marked a real turning… pic.twitter.com/wCCZoA1qpU
— Cricket Hong Kong, China (@CricketHK) September 15, 2025
Hasaranga has gained it for Sri Lanka 🇱🇰💪
Beneath strain, he smashed a quickfire 20*(9) and turned the match into Sri Lanka’s favor in opposition to Hong Kong within the Asia Cup 2025. 🔥👏#WaninduHasaranga #SLvHK #SLvsHK #AsiaCup #AsiaCup2025 #AsiaCupT20 pic.twitter.com/o4bSFlop3D
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) September 15, 2025
Sri Lanka edged previous the road in Dubai, because of Pathum Nissanka’s knock and well timed fireworks from the decrease order 🇱🇰#SLvHK #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACC pic.twitter.com/CIlXxnl9uC
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) September 15, 2025
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 clinch a 4-wicket victory over Hong Kong 🇭🇰! 🏏
An exciting end as Sri Lanka survives a tense scare! 😱🔥
Scorecard: https://t.co/Fi0djqyR4B#SLvHK #AsiaCup2025 #Cricket #PathumNissanka #Cricket #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/86xH5VZa4b
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 15, 2025
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