How Did Nissanka and Hasaranga Lead Sri Lanka to a Four-Wicket Victory Over Hong Kong?

Dubai, Sep 16 (NationPress) Pathum Nissanka played a remarkable innings, scoring 68 runs off 44 balls, while Wanindu Hasaranga provided a vital late contribution of 20 not out off just nine deliveries, leading Sri Lanka to a tense four-wicket victory against Hong Kong during their Asia Cup Group B match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

In pursuit of 150 runs, Sri Lanka initially appeared to be in a commanding position, thanks to Nissanka's exquisite timing. However, Hong Kong made a strong comeback by toppling Sri Lanka's middle order. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka's batting depth allowed them to cross the finish line with seven balls remaining, marking the first thrilling game of the tournament.

Hong Kong will likely lament their missed chances, including six dropped catches and a critical no-ball from captain Yasir Murtaza in the 18th over, which proved pivotal. They exerted pressure on Sri Lanka and could have crafted a significant upset, instead concluding their campaign filled with 'what if' reflections.

Sri Lanka's chase commenced with the in-form opener Nissanka confidently striking a four over mid-on off Murtaza and surviving an lbw review from Ayush Shukla. A momentum shift occurred in the fourth over when Nissanka hit a six off Shukla, complemented by two leg-side boundaries from Kusal Mendis.

However, Mendis, aiming to accelerate, misplayed a pull shot and was caught at deep square leg off Shukla, leaving Sri Lanka at 35/1 at the end of the power-play. Kamil Mishara then broke free with a massive six off Murtaza, followed by a well-placed boundary through cover off Kinchit Shah.

Hong Kong's strategy of slower short balls worked when Mishara pulled to deep mid-wicket off Aizaz Khan. Nissanka kept the scoreboard ticking with powerful boundaries off Aizaz and Ehsan Khan, reaching his fifty in just 35 balls.

Despite Kusal Perera receiving two reprieves off Shukla in the 14th over, Nissanka continued to impress by finding gaps for consecutive boundaries. Hong Kong's fielding errors continued as Anshuman Rath dropped Nissanka’s catch at deep mid-wicket, allowing the batter to score a boundary, followed by Ehsan granting another chance.

Suddenly, Hong Kong fought back—Nissanka was run out, and Perera was adjudged lbw by Murtaza. The decline persisted as Charith Asalanka edged to short third man off Ehsan, while Kamindu Mendis was caught at deep mid-wicket off Murtaza. However, Hasaranga had other plans under pressure—hitting Murtaza for a six (on a free hit) and four, then lofting and driving Ateeq Iqbal for back-to-back boundaries to help Sri Lanka escape the Hong Kong scare with a crucial cameo.

Earlier, Nizakat Khan's unbeaten 52 runs off 38 balls propelled Hong Kong to 149/4. Nizakat showcased his footwork and capitalized on pace from Sri Lankan bowlers, achieving only the second fifty by a Hong Kong player in tournament history after Babar Hayat. He also formed a key 61-run partnership with Anshuman Rath, who scored 48 runs off 46 balls.

Hong Kong was fortunate early when Zeeshan Ali and Rath combined for three boundaries in the initial three overs. Zeeshan, however, was lucky to survive an lbw appeal against Nuwan Thushara and later escaped being caught at backward point.

But Zeeshan's brisk innings ended in the fifth over as he top-edged to Mendis, falling for 23 runs off 17 balls. After Hong Kong concluded their power-play at 41/2, Rath welcomed Hasaranga with a pulled four.

As Hasaranga and Theekshana restricted runs, Hayat attempted to break free but was stumped off Hasaranga. After the halfway mark, Nizakat struck Hasaranga for a six over long-on, followed by a four each off Asalanka with Rath.

Nizakat continued to shine, executing a late slice behind square off Thushara for four and cutting Theekshana for another boundary. After Rath fell two runs shy of his fifty, Nizakat, who was dropped early, launched Chameera for a splendid six and reached his fifty with a sliced brace off Theekshana, ensuring Hong Kong finished with a respectable score, which ultimately fell short against Sri Lanka.

Brief Scores: Hong Kong 149/4 (Nizakat Khan 52 not out, Anshuman Rath 48; Dushmantha Chameera 2-29, Dasun Shanaka 1-5) lost to Sri Lanka 153/6 in 18.5 overs (Pathum Nissanka 68, Wanindu Hasaranga 20 not out; Yasim Murtaza 2-37, Ehsan Khan 1-25) by four wickets