DUBAI: In the Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 clash, the defending champions secured a hard-fought four-wicket win in their second match of the tournament. The game was played on Monday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a target of 150, Sri Lanka reached home with seven balls to spare. They ended at 150/6, despite a sudden collapse that gave Hong Kong a real chance to cause an upset.
For most of the innings, Sri Lanka looked in control. At 119/2 after 15 overs, they needed only 31 runs from the final 30 balls. Pathum Nissanka was well set at the crease. But his dismissal on the first ball of the 16th over opened the door for Hong Kong. The defending champions stumbled, losing three wickets quickly and slipping to 127/6 in 17.1 overs.
It was Wanindu Hasaranga who changed the script. The all-rounder smashed 20 runs off just nine balls, hitting two boundaries and a six. His fiery cameo carried Sri Lanka over the line in the Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 encounter.
Earlier, Hong Kong had posted a competitive 149/4 in their 20 overs. Openers Zeeshan Ali and Rath gave them a steady start with a 41-run stand. Zeeshan made 23 off 17 balls, including two fours, before falling to Dushmantha Chameera in the fifth over.
Hong Kong lost Babar Hayat soon after, stumped off Hasaranga for only four runs. At 57/2 in the ninth over, the pressure was on. Rath and Nizakat Khan then stitched together a valuable 61-run partnership from just 43 deliveries. Rath struck 48 off 46 balls with four boundaries, but he was dismissed in the 16th over by Chameera.
Captain Nizakat Khan held the innings together. He remained unbeaten on 52 from 38 deliveries, striking four fours and two sixes. His knock ensured Hong Kong reached a respectable score in the Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 fixture.
Among bowlers, Dushmantha Chameera was the pick for Sri Lanka with 2/30. Hasaranga and skipper Dasun Shanaka grabbed one wicket each. For Hong Kong, Yasim Murtaza bowled with control, taking 2/37. Ayush Shukla, Ehsan Khan, and Aizaz Khan also picked one wicket apiece.
This victory marked Sri Lanka’s second straight win in the Asia Cup. The defending champions showed their depth and resilience once again in the thrilling Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 match.
