Nissanka's fifty helps Lanka overcome confident Hong Kong in Asia Cup clash in Dubai

Pathum Nissanka smashed a blitzkrieg fifty to lead Sri Lanka to a labouring four-wicket victory over Hong Kong after a late wobble in their Asia Cup match on Monday.

Chasing a fighting total of 150, Lanka were off to a breezy start as Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added 26 runs for the first wicket.

The chase was facilitated by the sloppy fielding of Hong Kong. They came into the match with the butter fingers and failed to take even the sitters. 

Hong Kong dropped as many as five catches. Had those catches been held, the result could have been different.

Nissanka rode his luck as he got three reprieves. He was dropped on 40 by Ehsan Khan off his bowling before Shahid Wasif put him down again when he was on 67 off the bowling of Aizaz Khan. He also got a lifeline when batting on 22, adding 45 more runs to his score before finally getting out for 67.

Kusal Perera also survived two chances on the personal scores of 4 and 5. He along with Nissanka added 57 runs for the third wicket to take the match as deep as possible. But they consumed too many deliveries which sent the required run rate spiraling.

Hong Kong fought back late by getting rid of Nissanka, Perera and Charith Asalanka in quick succession as Lanka were reduced from 118/2 to 127/6. Murtaza ran Nissanka out before getting rid of Perera and Kamindu Mendis as Ehsan picked up Asalanak’s wicket to lead the fightback. Hasaranga smacked a fiery nine-ball 20 cameo to take Lanka over the line.

Earlier, Zeeshan Ali and Anshy Rath gave Hong Kong a flying start. The openers added a quick-fire 38 runs for the first wicket in just four overs. Not only did they keep the Lanka bowlers at bay but also scored runs quickly.

Though Zeeshan survived a few anxious moments early on in the innings. He survived a leg before scare in the first over. He took a review after being given out for a duck by the umpire. The replay showed that the ball had got a bit of bat before hitting the pads.

He overcame it and got a lucky boundary as the ball took the inside edge and raced to the ropes. The boundary restored his confidence. He edged the next delivery but the ball did not carry to the wicket-keeper.

The left-hand and the right-hand combination worked well for the Hong Kong as it forced the Lanka bowlers to adjust their line and length after every single.

As the match progressed, Hong Kong batsmen seemed to be growing in confidence. Lankan bowlers were struggling to break the partnership. Hong Kong were cruising nicely as they looked set for a big total. Chameera surprised Zeeshan with a quick delivery as the Hong Kong opener top-edged the delivery and Mendis completed a clean catch.

Hong Kong star batsman Babar Hayat failed to ride the wave and was dismissed for four. He stepped out to hit Hasaranga over the top, could not get to the pitch of the ball and Mendis took the bails off after a little wobble.

Hong Kong lost two wickets within a span of 17 runs. They were facing the danger of another collapse but Rath and Nizakat Khan combined together to take the innings forward.

They shared a 61-run partnership for the third wicket to consolidate the innings. Both the batsmen played diligently. Rath, who missed his fifty by two runs, holed out to Pathum Mendis in the deep mid-wicket.

Nizakat went on to complete his 12th fifty in T20Is. His knock was studded with four hits to the fence and two over it. Lanka managed to take two more wickets as Shanaka got rid of Yasim Murtaza and Chameera dismissed Rath for his second scalp.