ISLAMABAD: The Asia Cup 2025 witnessed an action-packed day on Monday as the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka recorded vital wins to stay on course for a place in the Super Four stage.
Sri Lanka overcame a middle-order collapse to secure its second consecutive victory in the Asia Cup on Monday, edging past a spirited Hong Kong side by four wickets.
Earlier in the day, the UAE earned their first points in the tournament with a 42-run win over debutants Oman.
Chasing 150 for victory, Sri Lanka reached 153-6 with seven balls to spare, thanks to opener Pathum Nissanka’s second successive half-century and a crucial late cameo from Wanindu Hasaranga.
Nissanka followed up his fifty against Bangladesh with a composed 68, but his run-out in the 16th over sparked a dramatic collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose four wickets for just eight runs, slipping to 127-6.
However, Hasaranga kept his composure to guide Sri Lanka home, smashing 20 runs off just nine balls, including two boundaries and a straight six. Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza impressed with figures of 2-37.
Hong Kong posted 149-4, anchored by an unbeaten 52 from Nizakat Khan and a steady 48 from opener Anshy Rath. The pair added 61 runs for the third wicket, but Sri Lankan spinners Maheesh Theekshana (0-22) and Hasaranga (1-27) tightened the screws during the middle overs.
Dushmantha Chameera (2-29) played a key role in the death overs, dismissing Rath when he holed out at deep midwicket attempting to accelerate the scoring.
UAE registers first win, ends Oman’s Super 4 hopes
In the earlier match, UAE openers Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu set the foundation with solid half-centuries, guiding their team to a total of 172-5 and sealing their first win of the tournament.
Sharafu adapted well to the slow pitch, charging down the track during the power play en route to his 51, while Waseem capitalized on a couple of dropped chances to score 69.
Oman, in response, was bowled out for 130 with eight balls remaining, extinguishing their hopes of advancing to the Super 4 stage.
Captain Jatinder Singh, on 20, dragged a delivery from fast bowler Junaid Siddique (4-23) onto his stumps, triggering a collapse that saw Oman lose three wickets in 14 balls. Siddique took two wickets in the powerplay, while spinner Haider Ali (2-22) struck twice inside the first six overs as Oman slipped to 50-5.
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