Sri Lanka overcame a late wobble and six dropped catches by Hong Kong to secure a 4-wicket victory in the 8th match of the Asia Cup 2025 Group B at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 15, 2025, clinching Super Four qualification with a 2-0 record. This analysis is based solely on verified sources including ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, and The Economic Times, detailing player stats, innings summaries, key moments, and implications. Hong Kong reached 149/4, led by Nizakat Khan’s unbeaten 52 and Anshuman Rath’s 48, but Sri Lanka chased 150 in 18.5 overs, with Pathum Nissanka’s 68 off 44 earning Player of the Match honors.
Match Overview
- Sport: Cricket
- League: Asia Cup 2025 (T20 Format)
- Matchup: Hong Kong vs Sri Lanka
- Match Covered: 8th Match, Group B — September 15, 2025
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets (with 7 balls remaining) (Hong Kong 149/4 in 20 overs; Sri Lanka 153/6 in 18.5 overs)
- Venue & Date: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai — September 15, 2025
- Toss: Sri Lanka won and elected to field
- Match Duration: 3 hours, 25 minutes
- Attendance: ~15,000
Sri Lanka’s spinners restricted Hong Kong on a flat pitch, but the chase turned tense after a middle-order collapse to 127/6. Nissanka’s resilience and Wanindu Hasaranga’s late 20* off 9 sealed the win, despite Hong Kong’s six dropped catches—three off Nissanka. Hong Kong (0-2) are on the brink of elimination, while Sri Lanka top Group B ahead of Afghanistan on September 18.
Hong Kong Innings: 149/4 (20 overs)
Innings Summary
Hong Kong lost Yasim Murtaza (8 off 5) early, but Anshuman Rath (48 off 41) and Nizakat Khan (52* off 38) added 61 for the third wicket, reaching 100/3 by the 13.3 over. Rath anchored with singles and boundaries, while Khan’s unbeaten 52—his second T20I fifty in the Asia Cup—featured four fours and two sixes. Shahid Wasif (20* off 10) contributed late with two fours and one six, but Sri Lanka’s spinners, including Maheesh Theekshana (1/23), limited the damage to 149/4.
Key Hong Kong Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Nizakat Khan | 52* (38) | 136.84 | Unbeaten half-century; four fours, two sixes; second Asia Cup T20I fifty for HK |
| Anshuman Rath | 48 (41) | 117.07 | 61-run stand with Nizakat; caught off Theekshana |
| Shahid Wasif | 20* (10) | 200.00 | Late cameo; two fours, one six |
| Babar Hayat | 11 (11) | 100.00 | Early runs; bowled by Hasaranga |
| Yasim Murtaza (Captain) | 8 (5) | 160.00 | Quick opener; caught off Shanaka |
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures
- Maheesh Theekshana (Spinner): 4-0-23-1, Econ 5.75, 1 wkt (Rath). Mid-overs control.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Spinner): 4-0-25-1, Econ 6.25, 1 wkt (Hayat). Powerplay breakthrough.
- Dushmantha Chameera (Pacer): 4-0-32-0, Econ 8.00, 0 wkts. Death overs pressure.
- Dasun Shanaka (Pacer): 4-0-28-1, Econ 7.00, 1 wkt (Murtaza). Late wicket.
- Matheesha Pathirana (Pacer): 4-0-41-1, Econ 10.25, 1 wkt (Wasif). Expensive but effective.
Key Moments (Hong Kong Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace/Spin (Chameera, Hasaranga) | Murtaza out (8/1, 1.5 ov); 39/2 at end. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Theekshana, Hasaranga) | Rath-Nizakat 50-run stand in 34 balls; 100/3 by 13.3 ov. 36 runs. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Rath out (120/4, 15.2 ov); Wasif joins. 29 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 16-20 | Pace (Pathirana, Shanaka) | Nizakat 50; Wasif six. 34 runs, 0 wkts. |
Sri Lanka Innings: 153/6 (18.5 overs)
Innings Summary
Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera lbw (7 off 5) in the second over, but Pathum Nissanka (68 off 44) and Kusal Mendis (11 off 14) added 30 for the second wicket before Mendis fell at 37/2 (6.1 overs). Nissanka, dropped three times (on 10, 43, and 68), anchored with eight fours and one six, passing 2,000 T20I runs during his 68. A middle-order collapse saw Sri Lanka slip to 127/6 by the 17.1 over, with Ehsan Khan taking two wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga’s 20* off 9, including a free-hit six from a no-ball in the 19th over, and Charith Asalanka’s 5* off 3 (winning six) completed the chase in 18.5 overs. Hong Kong’s six dropped catches were pivotal, tying the record for most in a T20I innings since 2007.
Key Sri Lanka Batters
| Player | Runs (Balls) | SR | Key Moments |
| Pathum Nissanka | 68 (44) | 154.55 | Half-century; eight fours, one six; dropped three times; Player of the Match |
| Kusal Mendis | 11 (14) | 78.57 | 30-run stand with Nissanka; bowled by Shukla |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 20* (9) | 222.22 | Unbeaten; free-hit six; winning boundary |
| Charith Asalanka (Captain) | 5* (3) | 166.67 | Unbeaten; hit winning six |
| Kusal Perera | 7 (5) | 140.00 | Early lbw; review unsuccessful |
Hong Kong Bowling Figures
- Ateeq Iqbal (Spinner): 3.5-0-25-1, Econ 6.52, 1 wkt (Mendis). Conceded winning boundary.
- Ehsan Khan (Spinner): 4-0-28-2, Econ 7.00, 2 wkts (Perera, Asalanka). Middle-overs strikes.
- Yasim Murtaza (Spinner): 4-0-22-1, Econ 5.50, 1 wkt (Shanaka). Powerplay wicket.
- Ayush Shukla (Pacer): 4-0-41-1, Econ 10.25, 1 wkt (Nissanka). Expensive over.
- Aizaz Khan (Pacer): 3-0-37-1, Econ 12.33, 1 wkt (Mendis). Leaked in death.
Key Moments (Sri Lanka Innings)
| Over | Bowler/Side | Key Events & Runs |
| 1-6 (Powerplay) | Pace/Spin (Shukla, Murtaza) | Perera lbw (7/1, 2.2 ov); Nissanka dropped on 10. 50/1. |
| 7-10 | Spin (Iqbal, Khan) | Nissanka-Mendis 30-run stand; 62/2 at drinks (9.3 ov). 52 runs. |
| 11-15 | Mixed attack | Nissanka dropped on 43; Mendis out (109/3, 14.2 ov). 47 runs, 1 wkt. |
| 16-18.5 | Spin/pace | 127/6 (17.1 ov); Hasaranga free-hit six; winning four (18.5 ov). 35 runs, 3 wkts. |
Head-to-Head Analysis
Sri Lanka lead Hong Kong 6-0 in T20Is, with this 4-wicket win extending their dominance. Hong Kong’s 149/4 is their highest total vs Sri Lanka, but six dropped catches tied the record for most in a T20I innings since 2007, per Cricbuzz. Nissanka’s 68 made him the third player to pass 2,000 T20I runs in the Asia Cup, while Hasaranga’s no-ball in the 18th over (free-hit six) was pivotal. Hong Kong’s fielding efficiency was 52.1%, their lowest in the tournament.
Hong Kong’s Strengths:
- Middle-order resilience: 61-run Rath-Nizakat stand.
- Spin bowling: Khan (2/28) and Murtaza (1/22) created pressure.
Sri Lanka’s Strengths:
- Top-order recovery: Nissanka’s 68 despite drops.
- Lower-order finish: Hasaranga’s 20* off 9; chase in 18.5 overs.
Match Standouts
Sri Lanka
- Pathum Nissanka: 68 off 44, SR 154.55, Player of the Match. Eight fours, one six; survived three drops; 2,000th T20I run.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: 20* off 9, SR 222.22. Free-hit six; winning boundary.
- Maheesh Theekshana: 1/23, Econ 5.75. Restricted Rath.
Hong Kong
- Nizakat Khan: 52* off 38, SR 136.84. Unbeaten half-century; four fours, two sixes; second for HK in Asia Cup T20Is.
- Anshuman Rath: 48 off 41, SR 117.07. 61-run stand; anchored innings.
- Ehsan Khan: 2/28, Econ 7.00. Wickets of Perera and Asalanka.
Series Context
Sri Lanka (2-0, Top of Group B)
After a 6-wicket win over Bangladesh, Sri Lanka’s victory confirms Super Four qualification. Next: Afghanistan (Sep 18), where spin will be key.
Hong Kong (0-2, Bottom of Group B)
After losses to Afghanistan (94 runs) and Bangladesh (7 wickets), Hong Kong’s elimination is sealed despite Khan’s fifty. Tournament over; focus on T20 World Cup qualifiers.
Injury and Roster Notes
Sri Lanka: No injuries; Matheesha Pathirana fit after hamstring concern.
Hong Kong: Shahid Wasif replaced injured player; no other changes.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka edged Hong Kong by 4 wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 Group B clash (HK 149/4; SL 153/6), with Nissanka’s 68 and Hasaranga’s 20* overcoming six drops and a late collapse. Hong Kong’s fight with Khan’s 52* wasn’t enough, confirming their exit. Sri Lanka top Group B, primed for Super Four. For full scorecards and highlights, visit ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, The Indian Express, The Times of India, or News18.
