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Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza proud despite Sri Lanka defeat

DUBAI: Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza expressed pride in his team’s spirited performance despite their narrow defeat to Sri Lanka in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 on Monday.

Batting first in the must-win clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Hong Kong posted a competitive 149/4, powered by a composed 48 from opener Anshy Rath and an unbeaten half-century from veteran Nizakat Khan.

Murtaza then played a key role with the ball, striking twice in the middle overs to jolt Sri Lanka’s chase. His efforts briefly turned the tide as Sri Lanka stumbled from 119/2 to 127/6, raising hopes of an upset.

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But Wanindu Hasaranga’s counterattack, coupled with opener Pathum Nissanka’s 68, proved decisive as Sri Lanka edged home with four wickets in hand.

Speaking after the match, Yasim Murtaza praised his batters for their resilience while admitting that missed opportunities in the field proved costly.

“I am really proud of the way the boys stood up today, especially in the batting. Nizakat and Anshy, their partnership was crucial,” he said.

“We wanted 150–160, so we got what we wanted. But we dropped a few catches, and that cost us the game.”

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The Hong Kong skipper described their Asia Cup campaign as a “dream come true” and vowed his side would return stronger after reflecting on their shortcomings.

“The positive thing is that playing on the big stage is like a dream come true. We will think about a lot of things when we go back and work on that,” Murtaza added.

The defeat marked the end of Hong Kong’s Asia Cup journey, but their spirited showing against the defending champions left a lasting impression.

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Charith Asalanka reflects on nervy win over Hong Kong

DUBAI: Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka shared his thoughts on his side’s narrow win over Hong Kong in the eighth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Sri Lanka chased down the 150-run target, losing six wickets with seven balls to spare.

At one stage, the Islanders were cruising at 119 in 15 overs. However, three wickets in the 15th and 16th overs halted their progress.

It was eventually up to Wanindu Hasaranga, who struck 20 off nine to help his team cross the finishing line.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Charith Asalanka highlighted areas of improvement and opened up on quick wickets.

“In that moment, I think our heart was in our mouths. Few areas I am really disappointed about. First three overs when we were bowling, and then the 16th over, we lost a couple of wickets, and then I lost my wicket,” he said.

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Asalanka stressed the importance of improvement and stated that they cannot afford for it to happen too often.

“In the shorter format, these things can happen but it cannot keep happening consistently. We have to analyse it and improve ourselves,” he added.

Regarding the first innings score, he expressed confidence, mentioning the conditions and praising Hong Kong for batting really well.

“Felt confident because the pitch was looking good. Credit goes to them, they batted really well and we bowled badly in the first three overs. This is not the way we wanted to play.

When we are playing these sides, there is a pressure always. But we are professionals and as professionals, we have to do much better than this,” Sri Lanka captain concluded.

READ: Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka survive scare to beat Hong Kong

Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka survive scare to beat Hong Kong

DUBAI: Wanindu Hasaranga helped Sri Lanka secure a nervy four-wicket win over Hong Kong in the eighth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Monday.

Set a 150-run target, Sri Lanka’s lower-order held their nerve as Wanindu Hasaranga starred with a brisk cameo, scoring 20 from just nine balls.

Eventually, the Islanders reached the target in 18.5 overs, losing six wickets in the process.

Sri Lanka lost their opening wicket in the form of Kusal Mendis, who made 11 from 14. As the scorecard read 26-1 in 4 overs, Kamil Mishara joined Pathum Nissanka and steadied the team’s total.

The pair added 36 for the second wicket, not before Mishara’s removal, who added 19 to the total.

Meanwhile, Nissanka held firm and forged a crucial stand with Kusal Perera (20 off 16), which kept Hong Kong bowlers at bay in the middle overs.

Yet, Hong Kong struck, and it was the match’s 15th and 16th over which made things interesting.

First, it was Yasim Murtaza’s 15th over, which yielded two wickets on successive deliveries to halt Sri Lanka’s progress. Perera was the first to go, followed by skipper Charith Asalanka, who could only manage to score two.

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Then, in the very next over, another wicket fell, which reduced them to 127-6 in 17.1 overs. Kamindu Mendis did not trouble the scorers much as he was caught long on after making five.

Nonetheless, Hasranga arrived at the crease, capitalising on the no-ball to hit six four to leave the equation nine required from 12 balls. In the second last over, he sneaked two doubles on third and fourth ball before cracking two consecutive fours to seal an emphatic win.

Patthum Nissanka was awarded Player of the Match for his 68 off 44 balls, an innings laced with half a dozen boundaries and two maximums.

For Hong Kong, Yasim Murtaza picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Nizakat Khan’s composed half-century helped Hong Kong set a competitive total.

Earlier, after being put into bat first, Hong Kong chalked up 149 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allocated 20 overs. They made a strong start as they raced to 41 in 4.5 overs, before losing core aggressor Zeeshan Ali.

Ali scored 23 off 17 balls with the help of two fours.

Sri Lanka made a comeback after the power play, removing Babar Hayat for four runs. As a result, Hong Kong were reduced to 57-2 in 8.4 overs.

Nevertheless, Anshy Rath and Nizakat Khan paired up for a 61-run partnership off 43 deliveries, which brought their total to 118 in 15.5 overs.

Rath departed after scoring 48 from 46 with the aid of four boundaries, whereas Nizakat ensured that Hong Kong finished strong at the end of their 20 overs.

He top-scored with 52 from 38 deliveries, striking four boundaries and two sixes.

For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Chameera picked up two wickets. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka managed to scalp one apiece.

READ: Asia Cup 2025: Waseem shines as UAE cruise to big win over Oman

Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka win toss, elect to bowl first against Hong Kong

DUBAI: Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Hong Kong in the eighth fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Monday.

Playing XIs

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Shahid Wasif, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

This will be the first time Sri Lanka and Hong Kong will be squaring off in the T20I format.

Sri Lanka have kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a dominant victory over Bangladesh by 6 wickets.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong have suffered crushing defeats against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

READ: Major blow for Afghanistan as key player ruled out of Asia Cup 2025

Litton Das reflects on Bangladesh win over Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2025

ABU DHABI: Bangladesh captain Litton Das shared his thoughts after a thumping win over Hong Kong in the third fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 here at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Set a partly 144-run target, Bangladesh hit the winning runs on the fourth ball of the 17th over, losing just three wickets in the process.

Litton played a vital role in Bangladesh’s win with a composed 59 off 39 balls with the aid of half a dozen boundaries and a six.

For his knock, Das was awarded the player of the match in Bangladesh’s opening win in the tournament.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Litton Das underscored the importance of winning the first game and emphasized his team’s performance.

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“Very important to win the first game. Last couple of series, we have played good cricket. But in the Asia Cup, a little bit of pressure comes automatically, ” he said with a smile on his face.

The 30-year-old stressed on fast bowlers and Rishad Hossain, highlighting the conditions and venue.

Bangladesh restricted Hong Kong 143-7 in their 20 overs, mainly due to their fast bowlers, Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who picked up two wickets each.

Moreover, leg spinner Rishad Hossain was also good with the ball, picking up two wickets in his quota of four overs while giving away 31 runs.

“We played well today. Last couple of years, our pace department has done really well. We were looking for a leg-spinner, and Rishad, in the last two or three years has done well for Bangladesh.

It was not easy to hit every ball; the ground is big, so you have to play ones and twos,” he concluded.

READ: Asia Cup 2025: Litton, Tanzim star as Bangladesh ease past Hong Kong

Asia Cup 2025: Litton, Tanzim star as Bangladesh ease past Hong Kong

DUBAI: A clinical bowling display followed by measured knocks from Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy powered Bangladesh to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong in the third fixture of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Set a partly 144-run target, Bangladesh hit the winning runs on the fourth ball of the 17th over, losing just three wickets in the process.

Bangladesh had a similar start to Hong Kong, losing two wickets inside the power play. Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan were removed cheaply after scoring 19 and 14 runs respectively.

With Bangladesh 47-2 in 5,4 overs, skipper Litton Das paired up with Towhid Hridoy and stitched a 95-run stand.

The duo batted calmly and helped their team go on to secure their first win of the tournament.

Das was bowled after making 59 off 39 deliveries, an innings laced with six boundaries and a six, while Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten on 35 from 36 with the help of a four.

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For Hong Kong, Ateeq Iqbal picked up two wickets, whereas Ayush Shukla scalped one apiece.

Earlier, put into bat first, Hong Kong mustered 143-7 in their allocated 20 overs.

Hong Kong started poorly as they lost two wickets inside 4.4 overs. Anshy Rath (4) departed on the third ball of the second over, whereas Babar Hayat was cleaned after making 14 off 12.

As a result, Hong Kong were 30-2 with Zeeshan Ali and Nizakat Khan on the crease. Both batters paired up and batted cautiously to lift their team out of trouble.

The duo added a 41-run partnership for the third wicket, which took Hong Kong’s total to 71 in 11.3 overs. However, Tanzim Hasan Sakib broke the partnership and provided Bangladesh with a much-needed breakthrough.

Zeeshan perished after making 30 off 34 balls, with the help of a six and three boundaries.

Despite the wicket, Hong Kong kept cruising until the first ball of the 17th over. The 46-run stand between Yasim Murtaza and Nizakat Khan ended, which helped Bangladesh in restricting Hong Kong from going past the 150-run mark.

Yasim Murtaza made 28 from 19 balls, hitting two sixes and the same number of fours, whereas Nizakat Khan top-scored with 42 off 40 deliveries with the aid of two fours and a six.

For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets each.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Kalhan Challu, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

READ: Mike Hesson breaks silence on Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan strike rates

Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh win toss, bowl first against Hong Kong

DUBAI: Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Hong Kong in the third fixture of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Playing XIs

Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Kalhan Challu, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have only met once in the T20I format which was way back in the 2014 T20 World Cup. Interestingly, Hong Kong won that game after skittling Bangladesh for 108 runs and winning the encounter by 2 wickets.

Matches 1, Bangladesh 0, Hong Kong 1

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Dominant Afghanistan rout Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2025 opener

ABU DHABI: Clinical Afghanistan thrashed Hong Kong by a massive margin of 94 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Set 189, Hong Kong faltered in the chase and could only manage to score 94-9 in 20 overs.

Afghanistan made early inroads as Hong Kong demonstrated a shambolic batting display, losing four inside five overs.

Anshy Rath(0) was caught behind on the second ball of the opening over– a replay showing a huge gap between ball and bat.

Zeeshan Ali was the second to be dismissed in the second over for just five runs. Hong Kong went into dire straits with back-to-back run outs of Nizakat Khan and Kalhan Challu.

As a result, Hong Kong were reduced to 22-4 in 4.3 overs.

Afghanistan continued to strike at regular intervals, with no batter contributing significantly except Babar Hayat.

Hayat tried to stabilize innings with brief stands; however, despite top-scoring with 39 off 43, Hong Kong’s innings folded for a mere total. Interestingly, Hayat’s knock was laced with three sixes.

For Afghanistan, it was an all-round bowling effort with every bowler chipping in with wickets. However, Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi stood out with two scalps each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan racked up 188 for 6 in their allocated 20 overs.

Afghanistan got off to a shaky start as they lost their opening two wickets inside four overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the first to go after making eight off five balls, whereas Ibrahim Zadran could only manage to score one.

As a result, Afghanistan were 26-2 in 3.2 overs.

Following the early hiccup, experienced Mohammad Nabi arrived at the crease and forged a composed 51-run stand with Sediqullah Atal.

Consequently, Afghanistan reached 77 at the halfway mark of the innings. Nabi departed after scoring 33 off 26 balls with the help of three fours and a six.

Yet, Hong Kong struck again and kept Afghanistan’s batters in check until Azmatullah Omarzai and Sediqullah Atal’s brisk 85-run partnership off just 35 balls.

The pair took advantage of the sloppy Hong Kong fielding and counterattacked with brisk batting.

Azmatullah perished after launching a brutal assault on Ayush Shukla, smashing three sixes and fours in the 19th over. He made 53 off 21 balls, an innings laced with five maximums and two fours.

On the contrary, Sediqullah remained unbeaten, scoring 73 off 52 balls peppered with half a dozen fours and three sixes.

For Hong Kong, Kinchit Shah and Ayush Shukla picked up two wickets.

PLAYING XIs:

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

READ: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 likely dates revealed

Afghanistan win toss against Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2025 opener

ABU DHABI: Afghanistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against Hong Kong in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

PLAYING XIs:

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Afghanistan and Hong Kong have faced each other five times in the T20I format, with the former having a narrow margin with three wins to its name.

Matches 9, Hong Kong 2, Afghanistan 3

The continental tournament will be played across two venues, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, in the UAE from September 9 to 28.

Abu Dhabi will stage eight matches, including one Super Four clash on September 23, while Dubai will host the majority of the games, including both high-voltage Pakistan-India clashes if the two sides progress beyond the group stage.

All matches will begin at 6 PM Gulf Standard Time, barring the September 15 fixture between the UAE and Oman.

READ: Trophy unveiled for ACC men’s Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai

Hong Kong’s Nizakat Khan recalls 2014 upset, targets fresh shock in Asia Cup 2025

ABU DHABI: Hong Kong all-rounder Nizakat Khan believes his side has what it takes to cause an upset in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, drawing parallels with their famous victory over Bangladesh more than a decade ago.

Hong Kong will open their campaign later today against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, before taking on Bangladesh on September 11.

Speaking ahead of the tournament opener, Nizakat reflected on the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup in Chattogram, where Hong Kong stunned hosts Bangladesh by two wickets in front of a packed home crowd.

Nizakat had played a decisive role that night, claiming three wickets for just 19 runs and contributing with the bat.

“That was very special. Beating Bangladesh in Bangladesh is never easy. I still remember that game clearly,” Nizakat recalled.

“At one point, they looked set, but we pulled it back with spin and then chased it down. It was a very memorable win for us.”

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The veteran also highlighted his own performance, including the key wicket of Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim.

“I bowled really well in partnership with Nadeem Ahmad, and that’s where their batting collapsed. From there, we turned the game,” he added.

Looking ahead to the 2025 edition, Nizakat Khan insisted Hong Kong have the belief and the players to spring a surprise again.

“In T20 cricket, anything can happen on the day. If someone bats or bowls exceptionally, the game can turn. We have that confidence, and I’m really looking forward to facing Bangladesh again,” he said.

Nizakat also praised captain Yasim Murtaza’s leadership, citing his vast domestic and international experience.

“He’s been very supportive and brings great experience from Pakistan and the UK. I have full confidence he’ll do a fantastic job leading the team,” Nizakat added.

READ: Final squads announced for ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025