Sri Lanka were made to fight hard before sealing a four-wicket victory over Hong Kong in their Asia Cup 2025 encounter at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday. What looked like a straightforward chase turned dramatic as a flurry of wickets brought the underdogs close to pulling off an upset.
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Chasing 150 on a sluggish pitch, Sri Lanka seemed in control at 119 for two, with just 31 runs required off the last five overs. But in a sudden twist, they lost four wickets for just eight runs, handing Hong Kong a glimmer of hope. At that moment, Wanindu Hasaranga stepped up with a quick-fire unbeaten 20 off just nine deliveries, hitting two boundaries and a towering six to guide his side home with seven balls to spare.
Pathum Nissanka once again anchored Sri Lanka’s innings, producing a fluent 68 off 44 balls. His knock, laced with six fours and two sixes, made him the backbone of the chase. Nissanka, who came into the match ranked seventh in the ICC T20 batting standings, also became the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 118 runs, following back-to-back half-centuries. Despite being dropped three times—on 22, 58, and 59—he capitalized fully before being run out attempting a risky second run.
Earlier in the day, Hong Kong set a competitive target after being asked to bat first. Their innings was anchored by opener Nizakat Khan, who struck his 12th T20 half-century with a composed 52. Alongside Anshuman Rath, who contributed 48, he built a crucial 61-run stand that gave Hong Kong a strong platform. Their aggressive start saw them reach 31 without loss in just three overs, raising hopes of a bigger total. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers pulled things back, with Dushmantha Chameera’s raw pace proving decisive as he claimed two wickets and applied pressure during the middle overs.
Despite their batting resilience, Hong Kong’s chances were undone by sloppy fielding. Dropping five catches, they squandered opportunities to tighten their grip on the game and let Sri Lanka off the hook at critical junctures. Skipper Yasim Murtaza admitted the lapses cost them dearly: “It was a very good performance but we’re disappointed we dropped so many catches.”
For Sri Lanka, the win was more than just two points; it was a wake-up call. Their top order once again looked assured, but the sudden middle-order collapse exposed vulnerabilities that could be costly against stronger opposition. Captain Dasun Shanaka and Hasaranga celebrated the hard-fought win, knowing the performance left room for improvement.
Speaking after the match, Nissanka reflected on his form and the team’s progress: “Very pleased with my form, but we have a long way to go.” His consistency at the top of the order has been a key strength for Sri Lanka, making him one of the standout players of the tournament so far.
With this win, Sri Lanka climbed to the top of Group B, all but securing their place in the second round with a game in hand. While the result went their way, the contest underlined the growing competitiveness of associate teams like Hong Kong, who continue to challenge more established cricketing nations with spirited displays.
