Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong, Match 8 - Who Said What?

Published - 15 Sept 2025, 23:54 IST | Updated - 16 Sept 2025, 00:05 IST

Sri Lanka defeated Hong Kong by four wickets and seven deliveries to spare in Match No. 8 of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, September 15. With this win, the Lankans went on top of Group B with a game to play. They have also become the first team from their group to qualify for the Super Four stages, while only one more spot is left for grabs.

Hong Kong had gotten off to a positive start with the bat, scoring 38 runs in their first four overs. Zeeshan Ali (23 off 17) was the first wicket to fall. Wanindu Hasaranga struck in his second over to dismiss Babar Hayat (4 off 10). A 12-run 12th over meant Hong Kong were placed at 84/2. Anshuman Rath holed out to the fielder at deep mid-wicket to miss out on his half-century by a couple of runs.

Dasun Shanaka was introduced for the sole over at the fag end of the innings. He conceded only five runs in his only over, also picking up a crucial wicket. For Hong Kong, Nizakat Khan remained unbeaten on 52 off 38 balls. He became just the second player from the country to register a half-century in the Asia Cup history, after Babar Hayat. Dushmantha Chameera picked up a couple of wickets in his four-over quota.

Ayush Shukla came back well to dismiss Kusal Mendis (11 off 14) after receiving a bit of a tap in his second over. Yasim Murtaza's team did quite well to restrict the Lankans to only 35 at the end of the powerplay. Aizaz Khan dismissed Kamil Mishara (19 off 18) in his first over. Pathum Nissanka brought up his 17th half-century on the first ball of the 13th over.

The complexion of the match changed when skipper Murtaza conceded only four runs in his third over which comprised the run-out of Nissanka (68 off 44) and the lbw of Kusal Perera (20 off 16) on back-to-back deliveries. Hasaranga and Shanaka's boundaries in the 18th over meant they needed just nine in a couple of overs. The finish line was eventually crossed with no further hiccups.

It was not an easy pitch [to bat on]. Hong Kong bowled well, but my plan was to drag the innings deep. Happy with the way I am batting.

To be honest, I am proud of the way the boys stood up today. We missed a few chances. In the end, the bowlers the way they fought was good. We were looking for 150-160. We dropped a few catches and that cost us the game. The positive thing is to be playing on the big stage. Dream come true. Once we go back, we will work on few things.

The heart was in the mouth. Disappointed about a few things; first three overs in the bowling. Then with the bat, in the 16th over, we lost a few wickets including mine [in the 17th over]. Consistently, these things can't happen even in the shorter formats. Credit to them, they batted well. There is pressure playing against every side.