Sri Lanka edged past Hong Kong by four wickets with seven balls to spare in a closely contested Group B match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Pathum Nissanka’s composed 68 and Wanindu Hasaranga’s explosive cameo at the death helped Sri Lanka narrowly avoid an upset on Monday. With their efforts, Sri Lanka chased down a tricky target of 150 with seven balls to spare.

Hong Kong, the lowest-ranked team in the group, put up a strong fight. Led by captain Nizakat Khan and Anshy Rath, they first posted a competitive total and then kept Sri Lanka under pressure throughout the chase.

Hong Kong post competitive total

Batting first, Hong Kong reached 149 for 4, thanks to a solid partnership between Nizakat Khan and Anshy Rath. Rath anchored the innings with a steady 48, scoring mostly in front of the wicket. Nizakat was more aggressive, using his wrists to find boundaries on both sides of the field.

Although Nizakat was dropped twice, he made the most of his chances and finished unbeaten on 52 off 38 balls. This was his first T20I half-century against a full-member side.

Their partnership gave Hong Kong a fighting total, ensuring their bowlers had something to defend against a strong Sri Lankan batting line-up.

Nissanka anchors the chase

Chasing 150, Sri Lanka needed a solid start, and Nissanka provided exactly that. Despite being dropped three times — on 43, 63, and 68 — he kept the scoreboard moving with calculated aggression.

He was particularly effective with the lap-scoop, exploiting gaps behind short fine leg whenever Hong Kong’s bowlers strayed on his pads. His knock of 68 from 44 balls was his third T20I fifty in five innings, continuing his excellent run of form this year.

While Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara were slower to get going, Nissanka’s proactive approach kept Sri Lanka in control, even as Hong Kong bowled with discipline.

Hong Kong fight back with quick strikes

Sri Lanka appeared to be cruising at 118 for 2 after 15 overs, needing only 32 runs from the last five overs. But Hong Kong sparked a dramatic collapse, taking four wickets in just 13 balls.

The turning point came when Nissanka was run out after hesitating on a second run. Moments later, Kusal Perera was trapped lbw by Yasim Murtaza on the very next ball. In the following over, Ehsan Khan dismissed Charith Asalanka, who sliced a catch to short third man.

Murtaza struck again, removing Kamindu Mendis with the first ball of the 18th over. Suddenly, Sri Lanka had slipped from 118 for 2 to 127 for 6 and still needed 23 runs off 17 deliveries.

Hasaranga seals the win

At this tense moment, Wanindu Hasaranga stepped up. He was gifted a free hit early in his innings after Murtaza overstepped, and he smashed it straight into the sightscreen for six.

In the following over, he cracked a four through cover — one of his trademark shots — and then drilled another boundary down the ground to seal victory.

Hasaranga’s unbeaten 20 off just eight balls proved decisive, showcasing his ability to handle pressure.

Missed chances cost Hong Kong

Despite their spirited performance, Hong Kong’s fielding lapses hurt their chances. Nissanka was dropped three times, while Kusal Perera was given two reprieves in the same over by Ayush Shukla.

Had those catches been taken, Sri Lanka’s chase could have been far more difficult.

Brief Scorecard