Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong Highlights, Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka beat Hong Kong by 4 wickets

Right then, that is it from this exciting game, where Sri Lanka just edged over Hong Kong, China, and sits at the top of Group B. Now, this result makes the next game in the Asia Cup 2025 even more high-stakes. It is Afghanistan taking on Bangladesh on Tuesday, 16th September, which will shape up who will qualify from this group. It will begin at 2.30 pm GMT, but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Charith Asalanka, the victorious skipper of Sri Lanka, admits that everyone had their heart in their mouth as wickets fell in clusters and says that he is very disappointed with the way they batted today. Points to the 16th over when a couple of crucial wickets tumbled, and then his own dismissal, which allowed the opposition back into the contest. Adds that he had been confident about the target, that the pitch looked good, and that credit is due to the Hong Kong side for batting well - at the same time, he concedes that the bowlers bowled poorly in the first three overs. Stresses that in the shorter format, these things can happen, though not consistently, and says that the team must analyse the performance thoroughly and improve, while acknowledging the pressure that comes with playing every side.

Yasim Murtaza, the captain of Hong Kong, China, says that he is very proud of the way his team has performed here. Praises Nizakat Khan and Anshy Rath for their knocks. Mentions that dropping so many catches is not ideal, and they need to improve. Says that they were looking at 150-160, but their bowlers still did a good job. Ends by saying that there is a lot of learning, and it has been a great experience playing at such a big stage.

Pathum Nissanka is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his impressive match-winning innings. Reflecting on his knock, he says that he is really pleased with his performance as it contributed to the team’s victory. Admits that the pitch was challenging to bat on, with the ball holding up at times, but adds that Hong Kong, China, bowled really well. Explains that his focus was to drag the innings deep and finish it off for his side. In the end, he expresses his delight, saying he is very happy with the way he is batting at the moment.

Presentation Time...

As the saying goes in cricket, 'you drop a catch, you drop the match.' For Hong Kong, China, this was an extreme example - five dropped catches, yes, five! Pathum Nissanka was given three lives, while Kusal Perera was put down twice, and both batters made Hong Kong pay. Yet, despite all this, Yasim Murtaza and his bowlers still managed to make Sri Lanka fight for every run. They’ll be bitterly disappointed, though, knowing this was a game within their grasp. Fielding is clearly an area they must sharpen to take the next step in their journey.

Earlier in the game, Hong Kong, China put up a competitive total, thanks to a fine half-century from Nizakat Khan, who became only the second batter from his country to score a fifty in an Asia Cup in T20I format, and a valuable 48 from Anshy Rath. Sri Lanka’s bowling had its ups and downs, but Dushmantha Chameera stood out with two wickets, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka also contributed with one each.

Or so we thought! The game flipped on its head in the 16th over with a massive mix-up that saw Pathum Nissanka run out for 68. On the very next delivery, Kusal Perera departed, and suddenly, Hong Kong, China were right back in the contest. From a comfortable 119/2, Sri Lanka slumped to 127/6, feeling the pressure. But Wanindu Hasaranga emerged as the hero for his side, smashing a crucial 20 off just 9 balls to steer his team home and avert a major upset.

Sri Lanka weren’t chasing a huge target, but they struggled early on, with runs hard to come by. Pathum Nissanka survived a close LBW call in the second over and capitalised on it. Kusal Mendis couldn’t stay at the crease for long, but Kamil Mishara’s arrival helped shift the momentum alongside Nissanka. The real push came when Kusal Perera joined Nissanka, and the pair changed gears at just the right time, adding 57 runs. Nissanka’s well-crafted half-century took them on the verge of the win, taking it away from the opposition.

Sri Lanka have escaped with a narrow win here! They’ve pocketed the two points, but it was far from a convincing performance. Heartbreak for Hong Kong, China, who came agonisingly close to their first victory before letting it slip away. They now bow out of the tournament, but not without a lot of learning and big positives from this game.

Ateeq Iqbal to Wanindu Hasaranga, FOUR! DONE AND DUSTED! Wanindu Hasaranga takes Sri Lanka home with a boundary, and they beat Hong Kong, China by four wickets with 7 balls to spare. A bit fuller and around middle, Wanindu clears out his front leg and smokes it down the ground to the left of long on for a boundary to seal the deal. 

Ateeq Iqbal to Wanindu Hasaranga, FOUR! CRACKED! On a length and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga presses back and lofts it through the gap between mid off and extra cover for a boundary.

Ateeq Iqbal to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fuller but down leg, Wanindu Hasaranga comes forward and flicks it in the gap towards deep square leg for another two runs. Sri Lanka need just 5 now as this has been excellent running between the wickets.

Ateeq Iqbal to Wanindu Hasaranga, Good length and outside off, Wanindu cuts it to the left of backward point and runs two hard. 

Ateeq Iqbal to Wanindu Hasaranga, On a length and around off, WH mistimes his punch off the upper half of the bat but on the bounce to cover.

Ateeq Iqbal to bowl the penultimate over. He has conceded just 6 runs in his first two overs, including a MAIDEN.

Yasim Murtaza to Dasun Shanaka, FOUR! THUMPED! Much shorter and around middle, Dasun Shanaka rocks back, clears out his front leg and pumps it to beat the diving deep mid-wicket fielder to his left for a boundary. Sri Lanka need just 9 runs.

Yasim Murtaza to Wanindu Hasaranga, Tossed it up and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga gets down on one knee and looks to slog-sweep it but mistimes it off the top edge of the bat. Luckily for him, the ball lands well before the incoming long on fielder. A single taken.

Yasim Murtaza to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short and around middle, punched back to the bowler off the back foot.

Yasim Murtaza to Wanindu Hasaranga, SIX! BOOM! Full and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga prods forward, gets to the pitch of the ball and smokes it downtown for a biggie. Makes full use of the freebie and it will ease down the pressure for sure.

Yasim Murtaza to Dasun Shanaka, Short and around off, Dasun knocks it down to long on for one. Uh-oh, Yasim Murtaza has overstepped and it is called a NO BALL! A Free-Hit is coming up... 

Yasim Murtaza to Wanindu Hasaranga, Short and around middle, swiped away to deep backward square leg for one.

Wanindu Hasaranga is the next man in.

Yasim Murtaza to Kamindu Mendis, OUT! CAUGHT! Sri Lanka are crumbling here in Dubai as they have lost their sixth wicket. Slower and fuller, around off, Kamindu Mendis uses his feet and looks to take on the bowler. But as the ball gets some grip and turn off the deck, he mistimes his shot off the toe end of the bat towards deep mid-wicket, where Babar Hayat takes a well-judged catch. 

Ehsan Khan to Kamindu Mendis, Short again and on middle, angling in, Kamindu Mendis nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one. 23 needed 18 balls!

Ehsan Khan to Kamindu Mendis, Goes short and around off, Kamindu Mendis cuts it away wide of deep point for a brace.

Ehsan Khan to Kamindu Mendis, Slows it up, full and on middle, Kamindu Mendis only manages to fend it down the pitch.

Ehsan Khan to Kamindu Mendis, Flighted, full and around off, Kamindu Mendis drives it wide of sweeper covers for a couple of runs.

Kamindu Mendis comes out to the middle now.

Ehsan Khan to Charith Asalanka, OUT! TAKEN! GONE! Sri Lanka are five down. Short and outside off, Charith Asalanka rocks back and looks to cut it. But the ball skids through and turns away as well from the batter. He ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat towards short third, where Ayush Shukla takes it to his left. 

Ehsan Khan to Charith Asalanka, RIPPER! The ball is suddenly doing a lot here. Flatter, full and on middle, turns square off the deck, Charith Asalanka plays all over it as the ball zips past the outside edge.

Yasim Murtaza to Charith Asalanka, Full and around off, CS uses his feet and tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Yasim Murtaza to Dasun Shanaka, Full and around middle, swept away to deep square leg for one.

Yasim Murtaza to Charith Asalanka, Full and around middle, knocked down to long off for one.

Yasim Murtaza to Charith Asalanka, WOW! Slower and fuller, around off, Charith Asalanka comes forward and looks to drive it but gets beaten past the outside edge. No hat trick for Yasim Murtaza but he has turned the game on its head.

Skipper Charith Asalanka walks out to bat now.

Yasim Murtaza to Kusal Perera, OUT! LBW! GONE! Hong Kong, China has two in two, and suddenly, Sri Lanka are starting to crumble. Full and around off from Yasim Murtaza, Kusal Perera gets down on one knee and across to sweep but misses. Gets pinged on the front pad as the ball sneaks past under the bat. A massive appeal for LBW goes up from the bowler and the keeper before the umpire raises his finger. However, Kusal Perera has taken a review and referred it upstairs. The third umpire is called in, and there is nothing on the UltraEdge. However, the Ball Tracking presents that the pitching is in line, the impact is the Umpire's call, and it would have hit the top of the middle stump. The on-field call stays, and Perera will have to walk back. Both the set batters gone in two balls!

Is that a run out? A mix-up in the middle may have cost Sri Lanka here. The throw from Yasim Murtaza is a good one at the bowler's end, where Shahid Wasif does the rest. This one looks close, and the replay shows that Pathum Nissanka is short of his crease. Is this the opening for Hong Kong, China?

Sri Lanka need 32 runs in the last five overs. The skipper, Yasim Murtaza, has brought himself into the attack.

Yasim Murtaza to Kusal Perera, OUT! PATHUM NISSANKA IS RUN OUT! That has been a suicidal thing to do, and Pathum Nissanka walks back after an impressive inning of 68 runs off 44 balls. A bit short and outside off, Kusal Perera comes forward and clips it towards deep mid-wicket with soft hands. He takes the first one hard and pushes his partner for the second, but they decide a bit late. In the meantime, Yasim Murtaza himself runs across to his left and gets to the ball quickly with a slide. Nissanka tries to hurry, but is halfway through the pitch when the throw comes at the bowling end. Shahid Wasif, backing up at the bowler's end, collects the throw and dislodges the bails. The third umpire is called in, and the replays show that Pathum is well short of his crease despite putting a full-length dive with extended arms to slide his bat. The last thing Sri Lanka could have done was to throw a wicket here. Also, Dasun Shanaka comes out to the middle now.

Ehsan Khan to Pathum Nissanka, OH DEAR...DROPPED AGAIN! Quicker, shorter and on middle, Pathum Nissanka moves back and lobs it straight back to the bowler. Ehsan gets into a good position but still spills it out. Butterfingers for Hong Kong, China! 

Ehsan Khan to Kusal Perera, Low full toss, on middle, Kusal Perera clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Ehsan Khan to Kusal Perera, Fires in a yorker, on middle, Kusal Perera digs it to the left of the bowler.

Ehsan Khan to Pathum Nissanka, Short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Ehsan Khan to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Perera pushes it to covers for a single.

Ehsan Khan to Kusal Perera, SIX! Incredible shot! Floated, full and around off, Kusal Perera quickly changes his stance to get into the position and nails the reverse paddle over the deep third fence for a biggie.

Aizaz Khan to Pathum Nissanka, Good length and on off, Pathum Nissanka guides it to point. 41 needed in 6 overs!

Aizaz Khan to Pathum Nissanka, DROPPED AND FOUR! Hong Kong, China, are crumbling in the field here! Another slower one, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka looks to slog it away but fails to get the timing. The ball flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Shahid Wasif runs to his right and very casually tries to reverse cup it, but spills it out as the ball rolls away to the fence. You can't drop these many chances and get away with it. As per the on-air commentators, this is Hong Kong, China's 10TH DROPPED CATCH in the tournament.

Aizaz Khan to Pathum Nissanka, Pace off, back of a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka stabs it out to extra covers.

Aizaz Khan to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Poor bowling! Slower one, full but sliding down the leg side, with fine leg up in the circle. Pathum Nissanka crouches low, gets inside the line of it and scoops it over short fine for a boundary.