Pathum Nissanka shines as Sri Lanka beat Hong Kong by 4 wickets in Asia Cup 2025

The T20 clash kicked off with Sri Lanka winning the toss and opting to bowl first, banking on a pitch that looked like it might give their seamers an edge early on. Hong Kong’s openers, Zeeshan Ali and Anshy Rath, walked out under pressure, knowing they were up against a slick Sri Lankan bowling unit led by the fiery Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera.

Hong Kong Innings

Zeeshan, the keeper-batter, didn’t waste time settling in. He came out swinging, looking to take the attack to Sri Lanka’s bowlers. In his short but fiery knock, he cracked two boundaries, racing to 23 off just 17 balls with a strike rate north of 135. It was a bold start, giving Hong Kong some early momentum. But Chameera, steaming in with serious pace, had other plans. In the fifth over, he got one to jag away just enough to catch Zeeshan’s edge. The ball flew to Bhanuka Rajapaksa Mendis behind the stumps, who gleefully snapped up the catch. Hong Kong were 41 for 1, a decent start but now needing someone to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Toss Update 🏏
Sri Lanka have won the toss and will field first🇱🇰#AsiaCup2025 #SriLankaCricket #SLvHK pic.twitter.com/eTfICprxW3

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 15, 2025

Babar Hayat strolled in to join Rath, hoping to build on the platform. But he found himself in a tangle against Sri Lanka’s spin wizard, Wanindu Hasaranga, who was brought on early to shake things up. Hayat struggled to read Hasaranga’s variations, managing just 4 runs off 10 balls. In the ninth over, a wicked googly did him in as Hayat danced down the track, missed it completely, and Mendis whipped off the bails for a sharp stumping. Hong Kong were 57 for 2 after 8.4 overs, chugging along at about 6.5 runs an over. It wasn’t a bad run rate, but it wasn’t setting the world alight either, especially on a pitch that was settling down nicely.

Enter Nizakat Khan, Hong Kong’s seasoned pro, who knew the importance of steadying the ship. Alongside Rath, who was now playing the anchor role, Nizakat focused on smart cricket, rotating the strike, picking off singles, and pouncing on anything loose. Together, they stitched together a vital 61-run stand for the third wicket, keeping Hong Kong in the game. Rath looked solid, carving out 48 off 46 balls with four boundaries, but his attempt to up the tempo in the 16th over backfired. Chameera struck again, tempting Rath into a lofted shot that ballooned to Pathum Mendis at mid-on. Hong Kong were 118 for 3, with the death overs looming and the crowd buzzing with anticipation.

Yasim Murtaza, Hong Kong’s skipper, came in looking to light up the final overs. He got off the mark with a boundary but couldn’t stick around long, managing just 5 off 4 balls. In the 18th over, Dasun Shanaka, who bowled just one over, rolled out a clever slower ball. Murtaza took the bait, skying it to long-on, where a fielder made no mistake. Hong Kong were 127 for 4, and it was up to Nizakat to take them home. He didn’t disappoint, playing a gem of a knock, unbeaten on 52 off 38 balls, with four fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 136.84.

He found the gaps, cleared the ropes, and kept the scoreboard moving. Aizaz Khan chipped in with a gritty 4 not out off 6 balls, and their unbroken 22-run stand pushed Hong Kong to 149 for 4. Extras helped too, with 13 runs (7 leg byes, 1 bye, 4 wides, 1 no-ball) adding a bit of cushion. Sri Lanka’s bowlers were disciplined, with Chameera stealing the show. His 4 overs went for 29 runs, picking up 2 wickets at an economy of 7.25. With 10 dot balls, he kept the batters guessing. Hasaranga was tight too, conceding 27 runs for his 1 wicket in 4 overs, bowling 9 dots at 6.75 an over.

Shanaka’s lone over was a masterstroke, giving away just 5 runs while nabbing Murtaza. Thushara, though wicketless, was a bit expensive, leaking 36 runs in 4 overs, including a no-ball. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bunch for economy, giving away 22 runs in 4 overs with 11 dots, while Asalanka’s 3 overs went for 22 without reward. Sri Lanka’s fielders backed their bowlers with tidy work, and choosing to bowl first paid off by keeping Hong Kong under 150.

Innings Break: Hong Kong set 149/4 on the board. 🏏
Can Sri Lanka chase it down and seal the game? 🔥🇱🇰#AsiaCup2025 #SriLankaCricket #SLvHK pic.twitter.com/VcVdXkJ6E2

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 15, 2025

Hong Kong’s batting showed heart but lacked the big overs to really challenge Sri Lanka. The powerplay brought 35 for 1, a cautious start. By drinks, they were 62 for 2, and while Nizakat’s late flurry gave them a fighting total, they couldn’t quite break free. The innings featured 20 fours and 3 sixes, ending at a run rate of 7.45. Nizakat and Rath’s partnership was the highlight, but early wickets and a slow middle phase meant they settled for a par score.

Sri Lanka’s Innings

Sri Lanka’s chase of 150 began with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis taking on Hong Kong’s varied attack. Nissanka was in sparkling form, stroking the ball with ease, while Mendis played second fiddle, finding quick runs. They put on 26 for the first wicket before Ayush Shukla struck in the fourth over. Mendis, on 11 off 14 with two fours, edged a drive to Anshy Rath at first slip, who took a screamer. Sri Lanka were 26 for 1 after 3.6 overs, off to a decent start but needing to keep the momentum.

Back-to-back fifties for Pathum Nissanka! 🔥💪

The Sri Lankan opener continues his fine form! 🇱🇰🏏#T20Is #AsiaCup #SLvHK #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/dhfxvyfmHH

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 15, 2025

Kamil Mishara walked in at three and didn’t hold back, smashing 19 off 18 balls with a four and a six. He and Nissanka added 36 for the second wicket, taking Sri Lanka to 62 for 2 by the 9.3-over mark. Aizaz Khan broke through, getting Mishara to miscue one to Babar Hayat at mid-off. Nissanka, though, was unstoppable, racing to a 35-ball fifty with two fours and two sixes. He found a solid partner in Kusal Perera, who chipped in with 20 off 16, including a four and a six. Their 57-run stand took Sri Lanka past 100 in the 13th over, and the chase looked like a breeze.

But cricket has a way of throwing curveballs. In the 15th over, disaster struck. Nissanka, on a brilliant 68 off 44, was run out after a mix-up, with Yasim Murtaza’s throw via Shahid Wasif catching him short. The very next ball, Perera was pinned lbw by Murtaza for 20, and the review didn’t save him. Sri Lanka were suddenly 119 for 4 in 15.2 overs, and the game was alive. Charith Asalanka, the captain, couldn’t steady the ship, managing just 2 off 5 before Ehsan Khan had him caught by Shukla at long-on in the 16th over. At 122 for 5, Hong Kong were dreaming of an upset. Kamindu Mendis came and went quickly, scoring 5 off 5 before Murtaza struck again, with Hayat taking the catch. Sri Lanka were 127 for 6 after 17.1 overs, and the tension was electric.

With 23 needed off 17 balls, Dasun Shanaka (6 not out off 3, with a four) and Wanindu Hasaranga (20 not out off 9, with two fours and a six) stepped up. Hasaranga, in particular, took the attack to Hong Kong, smashing a huge six in the final over to seal the deal. Sri Lanka finished on 153 for 6 in 18.5 overs, winning with 7 balls to spare. Hong Kong’s bowlers gave it their all, Murtaza was the star with 2 for 37 in 4 overs, including 8 dots.

Sri Lanka seal the win by 4 wickets💥
A classy knock of 68 runs from Pathum Nissanka steers the Lions past Hong Kong. 🏏🦁#SriLankaCricket #AsiaCup2025 #SLvHK pic.twitter.com/XKUQaH6isC

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 15, 2025

Shukla took 1 for 30 in 3, Aizaz got 1 for 27 in 3, and Ehsan bowled brilliantly for 1 for 25 in 4. Ateeq Iqbal’s 2.5 overs went for 18, with a maiden, while Kinchit Shah leaked 15 in 2. A couple of dropped catches hurt Hong Kong, but they pushed Sri Lanka to the brink. The powerplay saw 35 for 1, matching Hong Kong’s start. By drinks, Sri Lanka were 62 for 2. They hit 50 in 7.5 overs, 100 in 13.1, and wrapped it up at 150 in 18.5. Nissanka’s 68 earned him Player of the Match.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

The match’s defining moment came when Sri Lanka’s chase of 150 took a wild turn. Pathum Nissanka’s blistering 68 off 44 balls, with six fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 154.54, had them cruising at 62 for 1 by the ninth over, with Kusal Mendis (11) and Kamil Mishara (19) chipping in. But in the 15th over, Nissanka’s run-out sparked chaos.

Sri Lanka claim their 2nd straight win at #AsiaCup2025, beating Hong Kong by 4 wickets!

HK posted 149/4, then Yasim Murtaza (2/37) sparking a collapse as SL slipped from 119/2 to 127/6. But Nissanka’s classy 68(44) & Hasaranga’s fiery 20*(9) sealed it in 18.5 overs. #SLvHK pic.twitter.com/C3QLIq7Cpt

— Areeb Cricket World digital media (@World_OfCricket) September 15, 2025

Kusal Perera’s quick 20 ended with an lbw to Yasim Murtaza, followed by Charith Asalanka’s cheap 2, caught off Ehsan Khan. Kamindu Mendis fell for 5, leaving Sri Lanka at 127 for 6 in the 17th over. Murtaza’s 2 for 37 and Ehsan’s 1 for 25, backed by Shukla and Aizaz, had Hong Kong dreaming. But Wanindu Hasaranga’s unbeaten 20 off 9, with a strike rate of 222.22, and Dasun Shanaka’s 6 not out saw Sri Lanka home at 153 for 6 in 18.5 overs, with a run rate of 8.12.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Dushmantha Chameera was the standout, earning TCNI Hero of the Day honors. His fiery spell of 2 for 29 in 4 overs, at an economy of 7.25, set the tone. He got Zeeshan Ali (23) in the fifth over, breaking Hong Kong’s early momentum, and later dismissed Anshy Rath (48) in the 16th, halting a key partnership.

Dushmantha Chameera’s consistency shines through with another superb spell 🔥

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#AsiaCup2025 #HKvSL pic.twitter.com/LoC0bImxcI

— ThePapare (@ThePapareSports) September 15, 2025

With 10 dot balls and just two fours and a six conceded, Chameera’s pace and precision kept Hong Kong to 149 for 4. His performance, backed by sharp fielding, was pivotal in keeping Sri Lanka in control.