In the 8th match of the Asia Cup 2025, Hong Kong presented a tough challenge to Sri Lanka, but the reigning champions maintained their composure to secure a victory and take a significant step towards the Super-4 stage.
Sports News: Sri Lanka's young batsman Pathum Nissanka has once again delivered a stellar performance in the Asia Cup 2025. Scoring a half-century for the second consecutive match, Nissanka guided his team to victory and etched his name in T20I history. In the match against Hong Kong, Nissanka scored 68 runs off 44 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes.
His performance was instrumental in helping his team chase a target of 150 runs, and ultimately, an explosive unbeaten 20 runs by Wanindu Hasaranga sealed a 4-wicket win for Sri Lanka.
Nissanka's Record-Breaking Performance
The 27-year-old Nissanka is in phenomenal form, having scored three half-centuries in his last five T20I matches, two of which came in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. His half-century in the match against Hong Kong marks a new record for Sri Lanka's batsman with the most 50+ scores in T20I cricket. He now has 17 half-centuries to his name.
Previously, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera were tied with 16 half-centuries each. Batsmen with the most 50+ scores for Sri Lanka in T20I:
- Pathum Nissanka – 17
- Kusal Mendis – 16
- Kusal Perera – 16 (15 fifties, 1 century)
- Tillakaratne Dilshan – 14 (13 fifties, 1 century)
- Mahela Jayawardene – 10 (9 fifties, 1 century)
Chasing a target of 150 runs, Sri Lanka started with good momentum. With the score at 119/3 at the fall of the third wicket, the team seemed to be in control. However, a sudden collapse of four wickets for just 13 runs put the team under pressure. Nevertheless, Nissanka's outstanding half-century and Hasaranga's aggressive batting at the end secured the victory for Sri Lanka. Nissanka was awarded the Player of the Match for his brilliant innings.
