Asia Cup: Sri Lanka inch closer to Super 4 after overcoming Hong Kong in tricky chase

Sri Lanka got a step closer to qualifying for the super 4 stages of the Asia Cup 2025 as they hammered Hong Kong by 4 wickets in Match 8 of the tournament on Monday, September 15 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Pathum Nissanka’s (68 off 44) whirlwind innings saw his team home, chasing a target of 150 after Hong Kong built pressure on Sri Lanka in the first ten overs.

Nissanka got the chase off to a good start, scoring eight runs from the first over. However, Kusal Mendis continued his struggles from the first fixture and couldn’t get his innings going as he even played out a maiden over against Ateeq Iqbal. Just when Mendis (11 off 14) found his groove by smashing two boundaries against Ayush Shukla, he holed out to deep mid-wicket.

At the other end, Nissanka rode on his luck as he successfully overturned an lbw dismissal in the second over. However, he became circumspect after losing his opening partner as Sri Lanka finished the



powerplay on 35/1. After the fielding restrictions ended, Kamil Mishara tried to get a move on as he smacked a few boundaries.

He eventually perished to Aizaz Khan for 19 off 18, leaving Sri Lanka on 65/2 after ten overs. With the required run rate climbing, Nissanka launched an all-out attack on Hong Kong and raced to his second successive half-century off 35 balls. The opener was dropped thrice during his innings as Hong Kong fielders failed to grab the golden chance of clawing their way back into the game.

His breathtaking innings of 68 off 44 brought his team within touching distance of a victory as Sri Lanka required 32 off 29 balls, having seven wickets in hand. However, there was more twist in the tale as Hong Kong managed to trigger a collapse, scalping four wickets in the next 13 deliveries. But the experience of Wanindu Hasaranga (20* off 9) and Dasun Shanaka (6* off 3) eventually took their team over the line in 18.5 overs.