DUBAI: Hong Kong posted a 150-run target for Sri Lanka courtesy of Nizakat Khan’s half-century in the eighth match of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Put into bat first, the associate nation registered 149/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Hong Kong got off to a decent start to their innings as their opening pair of Zeeshan Ali and Rath yielded 41 runs before the former fell victim to Dushmantha Chameera on the penultimate delivery of the fifth over.
The wicketkeeper batter scored 23 off 17 deliveries with the help of two fours.
Hong Kong lost another wicket 23 balls later when Wanindu Hasaranga got Babar Hayat (four) stumped and consequently slipped to 57/2 in 8.4 overs.
Rath was then joined by Nizakat Khan in the middle, and the duo bolstered Hong Kong’s total by putting together 61 runs in just 43 deliveries.
The crucial stand culminated in the 16th over when Chameera got Rath caught at deep mid-wicket. The left-handed batter remained a notable run getter for Hong Kong with 48 off 46 deliveries, laced with four boundaries.
Nizakat, on the other hand, carried his bat until the end and top scored with an unbeaten 52 off 38 deliveries with the help of four fours and two sixes.
Chameera was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, picking up two wickets for 30 runs in his four overs, while Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka chipped in with one scalp apiece.
