Asia Cup 2025 Thriller: Pathum Nissanka’s 68 Helps Sri Lanka Survive Hong Kong Scare

A Near-Upset at the Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 finally produced the kind of edge-of-the-seat cricket fans were waiting for. Sri Lanka, the defending champions, found themselves on the brink of a major upset against Hong Kong before eventually pulling off a four-wicket win.

Pathum Nissanka’s brilliant 68 off 44 balls and Wanindu Hasaranga’s cameo ensured Sri Lanka chased down 150 with seven balls to spare. But it wasn’t smooth sailing—the Lankan middle-order collapse and Hong Kong’s spirited fight kept everyone guessing until the very end.

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Hong Kong’s Batting Resilience

Batting first, Hong Kong looked fearless. Anshuman Rath (37) and Nizakat Khan (34) stitched together a 61-run stand, frustrating Sri Lanka’s new-ball bowlers. In fact, Sri Lanka’s sloppy start allowed Hong Kong to race to 38/0 in just 4 overs.

A missed DRS appeal against Babar Hayat also proved costly, as the underdogs built momentum. Eventually, Hong Kong finished with a competitive 149/4 in 20 overs—a total that seemed chaseable but tested Sri Lanka’s composure.

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Nissanka Leads the Chase

Sri Lanka began cautiously, losing Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara early. But Nissanka, in sublime touch, anchored the innings. His partnership with Kusal Perera (20) added 57 runs for the third wicket, stabilizing the chase.

Nissanka’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Initially patient, he accelerated smartly, striking boundaries when needed. Notably, he punished Hong Kong’s bowlers with precision pull shots and sweeps, proving why he is becoming Sri Lanka’s most dependable T20 batter.

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The Middle-Order Collapse

At 118/2, Sri Lanka needed just 32 off 30 balls with eight wickets in hand. Victory looked inevitable. But then came the collapse:

• Nissanka (68) was run out trying to steal a second.

• Kusal Perera (20) was dismissed lbw the very next ball.

• Skipper Charith Asalanka departed cheaply.

• Kamindu Mendis holed out to deep midwicket.

In the space of 13 deliveries, Sri Lanka lost 4 wickets for just 8 runs, sending shockwaves through their camp and giving Hong Kong real hope of an upset.

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Hasaranga Turns the Game

Just when the underdogs sensed victory, their captain Yasim Murtaza bowled a costly no-ball in the 18th over. Wanindu Hasaranga, new to the crease, smashed the free hit for six and never looked back.

Hasaranga’s 20 off 9 balls* sealed the deal, as Sri Lanka reached 153/6 in 18.5 overs. His composure in crunch moments underlined why he is one of the most valuable all-rounders in modern T20 cricket.

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Hong Kong’s Missed Opportunities

For Hong Kong, it was a story of what could have been:

• Six dropped catches, including four off Nissanka, cost them dearly.

• The no-ball at the death turned momentum completely.

• Despite excellent bowling spells from Ehsan Khan and Yasim Murtaza, their fielding lapses overshadowed the positives.

Still, Hong Kong won hearts with their spirited performance, proving they can compete with Asia’s best.

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Post-Match Reactions

• Charith Asalanka (SL Captain): “We cannot keep collapsing like this. There are areas to improve, especially with the new ball and in finishing games.”

• Pathum Nissanka: “I’ve worked hard on my strike rate. Credit to coach Sanath Jayasuriya for backing me.”

• Yasim Murtaza (HK Captain): “We dropped a few catches and that cost us. But it’s a dream to play at this level, and we will come back stronger.”

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Match Summary – Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2025

• Hong Kong Innings: 149/4 in 20 overs

  • Anshuman Rath – 37

  • Nizakat Khan – 34

  • Zeeshan Ali – 28*

• Sri Lanka Innings: 153/6 in 18.5 overs

  • Pathum Nissanka – 68 (44)

  • Kusal Perera – 20

  • Wanindu Hasaranga – 20* (9)

Result: Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets (with 7 balls to spare).

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What This Means for Group B

• Sri Lanka now sit top of Group B with two wins.

• Qualification scenarios:

  • If Afghanistan beat Bangladesh → Sri Lanka qualifies for Super Fours automatically.

  • If Bangladesh win → Thursday’s Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan match becomes a virtual knockout.

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Final Thoughts

This was not the polished performance Sri Lanka wanted, but it was a wake-up call ahead of tougher matches. Hong Kong may have lost, but they won respect with their fearless cricket and near-upset.

Asia Cup 2025 just got more exciting—because if Hong Kong can rattle the champions, what awaits in the Super Fours?

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