Sri Lanka edged past a spirited Hong Kong side by four wickets in a tense finish during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday. The defending champions relied on opener Pathum Nissanka’s composed half-century and a late cameo from Wanindu Hasaranga to seal their second consecutive win in the tournament.
Hong Kong’s fighting total
Asked to bat first, Hong Kong put up a respectable 149-4 in their 20 overs, thanks to disciplined batting from their top order.
The innings began with a solid opening stand between Zeeshan Ali and Martin Coetzee Rath. The pair added 41 runs before Sri Lanka struck through Dushmantha Chameera, who had Zeeshan caught for 23 off 17 balls. His innings featured two crisp boundaries and gave Hong Kong early momentum.
Wanindu Hasaranga then tightened Sri Lanka’s grip by dismissing Babar Hayat cheaply for four, leaving Hong Kong at 57-2 in the ninth over.
Rath, however, kept his composure and found an able partner in captain Nizakat Khan. Together, the duo stitched a vital 61-run stand off just 43 deliveries, keeping Hong Kong’s hopes of a competitive total alive.
Rath’s resistance ended in the 16th over when Chameera struck again, this time having him caught at deep mid-wicket for 48 off 46 balls. His knock included four boundaries and showcased his ability to anchor the innings under pressure.
Nizakat Khan took charge from there, accelerating towards the end. The skipper finished unbeaten on 52 from 38 deliveries, decorated with four fours and two sixes, guiding Hong Kong to 149-4—a total that gave their bowlers something to work with.
For Sri Lanka, Chameera led the attack with figures of 2-30, while Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka picked up one wicket each.
Nissanka sets the tone for Sri Lanka
Chasing 150, Sri Lanka looked in control for most of their innings, largely thanks to opener Pathum Nissanka. Calm and assured, Nissanka paced his innings perfectly, rotating strike and punishing loose balls.
He reached his half-century and anchored the chase, supported by handy contributions from Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka. By the 15th over, Sri Lanka were cruising at 119-2, requiring only 31 runs from the last five overs with Nissanka well set.
A sudden collapse
The game, however, took a dramatic turn. On the very first ball of the 16th over, Nissanka was dismissed, sparking panic in the Sri Lankan camp. His 50-plus innings had steadied the chase, and his departure left the middle order exposed.
Hong Kong’s bowlers sensed an opening and pounced. Ayush Shukla, Ehsan Khan, and Aizaz Khan kept things tight, while skipper Yasim Murtaza struck twice in his four-over spell, returning figures of 2-37. Sri Lanka suddenly found themselves wobbling at 127-6 in the 18th over, with the defending champions in danger of a major upset.
Hasaranga to the rescue
With the game hanging in the balance, Wanindu Hasaranga once again showed his value as an all-rounder. Coming in under pressure, he counterattacked decisively. In just nine balls, Hasaranga smashed 20 runs, including two boundaries and a six that shifted momentum firmly back towards Sri Lanka.
His fearless cameo ensured Sri Lanka crossed the line with seven balls to spare, finishing at 150-6. While the scorecard shows a comfortable win, the defending champions were pushed hard by a resilient Hong Kong side.
Key takeaways
For Sri Lanka, Nissanka’s anchoring knock and Hasaranga’s late fireworks stood out. Chameera’s early breakthroughs with the ball were equally crucial in preventing Hong Kong from setting a bigger target.
For Hong Kong, the result may sting, but their performance won them plenty of admirers. Nizakat Khan’s unbeaten 52 and Rath’s 48 showed composure against a quality bowling attack, while their bowlers nearly pulled off a dramatic upset by applying pressure at the death.
Looking ahead
The result keeps Sri Lanka firmly on track in their title defense, with two wins from two matches in the eight-team tournament. Hong Kong, meanwhile, will take confidence from their fight against the champions and look to carry that spirit into their remaining fixtures.
Sri Lanka may have emerged victorious, but the match was a reminder that no opponent can be underestimated in modern T20 cricket.
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