Asia Cup: Consistent Nissanka, fiery Hasaranga cameo helps SL overcome valiant Hong Kong, reach Super 4 stage
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Sri Lanka Edges Out Hong Kong in Thrilling Asia Cup Clash
In a nail-biting Asia Cup match in Dubai, Sri Lanka clinched a four-wicket victory over Hong Kong, thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s rock-solid half-century and Wanindu Hasaranga’s explosive finish. The game kept fans on the edge of their seats, with Hong Kong mounting a strong comeback in the chase.
Sri Lanka now leads Group B with two straight wins, securing their spot in the Super 4s. Hong Kong, on the other hand, bows out of the tournament after three losses. The match unfolded at the Dubai International Stadium, where Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Hong Kong’s innings kicked off steadily. Openers Zeeshan Ali and Anshuman Rath built a 41-run partnership before Dushmantha Chameera struck, dismissing Zeeshan for 23 off 17 balls with help from wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. By the end of the powerplay, Hong Kong stood at 42/1.
Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga soon turned the screws, stumping Babar Hayat for just 4 runs off 10 balls. Hong Kong slipped to 57/2 in 8.4 overs. Nizakat Khan then joined Rath, and the pair fired up, adding 35 runs in three overs. Nizakat unleashed boundaries against Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana, pushing Hong Kong past 100 in 13.4 overs.
Rath looked set for a big score, but Chameera and Mendis combined again to remove him for 48 off 46 balls, including four fours. The 61-run stand broke, leaving Hong Kong at 118/3 in 15.5 overs. Skipper Yasim Murtaza fell quickly to Dasun Shanaka for 5, but Nizakat held firm, smashing his way to a 36-ball fifty with four fours and two sixes. Hong Kong finished at 149/4 in 20 overs.
Chameera shone with 2/29, while Hasaranga and Shanaka each claimed a wicket.
Chasing 150, Sri Lanka started well but lost Kusal Mendis early to Ayush Shukla for 11, at 26/1 in the fourth over. By the powerplay’s end, they were 35/1. Aizaz Khan struck next, sending back Kusal Perera for 19 off 18 balls, leaving Sri Lanka at 65/2 after 10 overs, with Nissanka on 33 and Perera’s replacement settling in.
Nissanka played a gem, notching his 17th fifty-plus score for Sri Lanka—surpassing Mendis and Perera’s tally of 16 each. He reached 50 with smart, risk-free shots. In the 14th over, Perera hammered three fours off Aizaz Khan, getting Sri Lanka to 100 in 13.1 overs.
Disaster struck when Nissanka ran himself out for a brilliant 68 off 44 balls—six fours and two sixes—leaving the score at 119/3. Wickets tumbled fast, and Sri Lanka crashed to 127/6 in 17.1 overs, staring down a potential upset.
Enter Hasaranga and Shanaka. Hasaranga’s fiery 20 not out off nine balls, packed with two fours and two sixes, turned the tide. Shanaka remained unbeaten on 6, steering Sri Lanka home in 18.5 overs for a crucial win.
Yasim Murtaza topped Hong Kong’s bowling with 2/37.
Brief Scores: Hong Kong 149/4 (Nizakat Khan 52, Anshuman Rath 48; Dushmantha Chameera 2/29) lost to Sri Lanka 153/6 in 18.5 overs (Pathum Nissanka 68, Wanindu Hasaranga 20*; Yasim Murtaza 2/37).
This Asia Cup thriller highlights Sri Lanka’s depth, with Nissanka’s consistency and Hasaranga’s all-round flair proving decisive against a gritty Hong Kong side.
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