Sri Lanka overcome late scare to secure second straight win
Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka delivered a match-winning knock that helped the team secure a second consecutive win in the Asia Cup Group B encounter against Hong Kong, China, on Monday. The Sri Lankan opener scored an impressive 68 runs off just 44 balls. However, his innings was marked by a series of dropped catches, including on 22, 40, 63, and 68 before he was eventually run out.
Innings Turning Point:
Nissanka's resurgence in the middle-overs, aided by Hong Kong's sloppy catching, set up Sri Lanka for a possible win. The wicketkeeper's mistakes provided Sri Lanka with the cushion they needed to chase down the target.
Key Wickets for Sri Lanka:
- Zeeshan Ali was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera in the early stages of the innings with a short ball that climbed to the top-edge.
- Chameera also got rid of Babar Hayat, who attempted to take on Wanindu Hasaranga and was caught out by a googly.
- Chameera also denied Anshuman Rath a half-century, trapping him at midwicket. This gave Sri Lanka a much-needed breakthrough in the middle-overs.
Innings Turning Point for Hong Kong:
- Anshuman Rath looked in good nick and took charge in the second half, lofting Hasaranga and Asalanka to long-on for a six and four respectively.
- However, Chameera's wicket in the final over of the innings, dismissing Nizakat on the last ball, turned the tables in Sri Lanka's favor.
