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The eighth match of the Asia Cup 2025 was a Group B clash between Hong Kong, China and Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, which the latter won by four wickets. Sri Lanka came to the game riding on a victory against Bangladesh in their tournament opener, while Hong Kong were in pursuit of their first win after conceding big defeats against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
After winning the toss, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka decided to bowl first. Hong Kong openers Zeesham Ali and Anshuman Rath provided a relatably stable start than their two previous outings in the Asia Cup 2025. It would have been a dream scenario for Sri Lanka in this match to blast out Hong Kong’s openers and run down the total inside the powerplay, like India did against the UAE.
But, AIi and Rath didn’t let that happen, as they batted with a run rate of 9.50 in the first four overs without losing a wicket. However, their fast scoring rate slowed down after Dushmantha Chameera’s breakthrough, in fifth to eighth overs the scoring rate came down to 4.50. The partnership of 61 runs off 43 balls involving Anshuman Rath (48 runs off 46 balls) and Nizakat Khan played a pivotal role for the team to reach a decent total of 149/4. Nizakat was not out at the crease on 52 off 38 balls at the end. It was his 12th T20I fifty, and his first against a full member (ICC or ACC), plus Hong Kong’s second ever fifty at this event.
In reply to their score, Sri Lanka’s lone fighting attempt visibly came from the bat of Pathum Nissanka scoring 68 off 44 deliveries, it was his 17th fifty plus score in T20Is. It was Nissanka who was driving Sri Lanka towards the target, however the four wickets of Sri Lanka in quick succession has put them in a spot of bother after the completion of the 15 overs. Sri Lanka appeared faltering after the run out of Nissanka and the LBW dismissal of Kusal Perera (20 runs off 16 balls) on the consecutive deliveries. After them, Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis also returned to the pavilion without making an impact.
However, it was the late cameo by Wanindu Hasaranga that sealed the deal for Sri Lanka, and with that, they are now at the top of Group B in the Asia Cup 2025. Hong Kong ended their campaign at the Asia Cup 2025 while Sri Lanka, with their second victory in the group stage, are at the top of the table in Group B. The reigning Asia Cup champions in the T20I format will have their last clash of the group stage against Afghanistan on September 18, 2025. Both the teams will face-off against each other in Sheikh Zayed International Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
