Sri Lanka narrowly avoided an upset against Hong Kong in their Asia Cup 2025 group-stage match, with Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga playing crucial roles in the thrilling chase. Nissanka anchored the innings, scoring 68 runs off 44 deliveries, despite having his catch dropped three times. Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum, but Nissanka’s half-century proved vital. Hong Kong had earlier set a competitive target of 149/4, thanks to Anshy Rath’s 48 and captain Nizakat Khan’s unbeaten 52 off 38 balls. Following the victory, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka reflected on the match, emphasizing the need for improvement. He expressed disappointment with the team’s performance in the opening overs of their bowling innings and the loss of wickets in the 16th over, as well as his own dismissal. Asalanka acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the shorter format but stressed the importance of consistent improvement. He also mentioned feeling confident due to the pitch conditions and acknowledged Hong Kong’s strong batting performance, while conceding that Sri Lanka’s initial bowling was poor. He highlighted the pressure of playing against such teams, emphasizing the need for the team to perform better as professionals.
