Sri Lanka defeated Hong Kong by four wickets and seven deliveries to spare in Match No. 8 of the current Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, September 15th. With this victory, the Lankans moved to the top of Group B with one game remaining. They are also the first team in their group to qualify for the Super Four stages, with only one position left to fill.
Hong Kong got off to a good start with the bat, scoring 38 runs in the opening four overs.
Zeeshan Ali (23 off 17) was the first wicket to fall. Wanindu Hasaranga struck in his second over, dismissing Babar Hayat (4 off 10). Hong Kong were placed at 84/2 after scoring 12 runs in the 12th over. Anshuman Rath holed out to the fielder at deep midwicket, missing out on a half-century by a few runs.
Dasun Shanaka was introduced for the final over of the innings. He surrendered only five runs in his sole over while also taking a critical wicket. Nizakat Khan of Hong Kong stayed unbeaten on 52 from 38 balls. He became only the second player from his country to reach a half-century in Asia Cup history, behind Babar Hayat. Dushmantha Chameera took a handful of wickets within his four-over quota.
Ayush Shukla recovered strongly to dismiss Kusal Mendis (11 off 14) after receiving a tap in his second over. Yasim Murtaza’s team performed admirably, limiting the Lankans to only 35 at the end of the powerplay. Aizaz Khan dismissed Kamil Mishara (19 off 18) in his first over. Pathum Nissanka scored his 17th half-century with the first ball of the 13th over.
The match’s complexion shifted when skipper Murtaza surrendered only four runs in his third over, which included a run-out of Nissanka (68 off 44) and an LBW of Kusal Perera (20 off 16) on consecutive deliveries. With Hasaranga and Shanaka’s boundaries in the 18th over, they only needed nine runs in the next two overs. The finish line was eventually reached without further problems.
Who Said What?
Pathum Nissanka (Player of the Match)
It was not an easy pitch [to bat on]. Hong Kong bowled well, but my plan was to drag the innings deep. Happy with the way I am batting.
Yasim Murtaza (Losing Captain)
To be honest, I am proud of the way the boys stood up today. We missed a few chances. In the end, the bowlers the way they fought was good. We were looking for 150-160. We dropped a few catches and that cost us the game. The positive thing is to be playing on the big stage. Dream come true. Once we go back, we will work on few things.
Charith Asalanka (Winning Captain)
The heart was in the mouth. Disappointed about a few things; first three overs in the bowling. Then with the bat, in the 16th over, we lost a few wickets including mine [in the 17th over]. Consistently, these things can’t happen even in the shorter formats. Credit to them, they batted well. There is pressure playing against every side.
India
