Asia Cup: Pathum Nissanka’s 68 powers Sri Lanka to tense 4-wicket win over Hong Kong | Cricket News – The Times of India

Pathum Nissanka scored 68 runs off 44 balls as Sri Lanka secured a 4-wicket victory towards Hong Kong within the Asia Cup Group B match. The win got here regardless of a difficult chase on the venue on Monday.Nissanka’s innings was marked by strategic acceleration, and his partnership with Kusal Perera (20) yielded 57 runs for the third wicket. This partnership introduced Sri Lanka nearer to qualifying for the Super 4 stage.Sri Lanka achieved the goal of 150 runs, ending at 153 for six in 18.5 overs. The workforce adopted a cautious method initially on the gradual pitch earlier than growing their scoring fee after the 10-over mark.The Sri Lankan workforce misplaced Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara early, reaching 65 runs within the first 10 overs. Nissanka, who was dropped twice throughout his innings at scores of 40 and 60, capitalized on these alternatives.Nissanka centered on scoring runs by means of calculated photographs fairly than aggressive hitting. He focused the shorter sq. leg boundary, together with a swept six towards medium-pacer Aizaz Khan.Sri (*68*) scoring fee improved considerably as they added 42 runs in three overs after the 10-over mark, with Nissanka and Perera main the cost.Hong Kong managed to create stress by taking 4 fast wickets. They dismissed Nissanka, Perera, Kamindu Mendis, and captain Charith Asalanka in fast succession, decreasing Sri Lanka from 119 for 2 to 127 for six.Wanindu Hasaranga’s unbeaten 20 runs off 9 balls helped Sri Lanka safe the victory and preserve their Super 4 hopes alive within the event.In the primary innings, Hong Kong posted a aggressive whole of 149 for 4. Nizakat Khan remained unbeaten on 52 off 38 balls, whereas Anshuman Rath contributed 48 runs from 46 balls.The spotlight of Hong Kong’s innings was a 61-run partnership between Rath and Nizakat for the third wicket. Both batsmen performed effectively towards Sri (*68*) skilled bowling assault.Rath’s innings featured photographs on either side of the wicket, together with a formidable inside-out cowl drive towards spinner Asalanka. Nizakat, who turned Hong Kong’s second participant to rating a T20 Asia Cup fifty, centered on straight-discipline scoring.Nizakat benefited from two lucky incidents within the seventeenth over. He was dropped by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis and survived a catch due to a no-ball by Thilan Thushara.Rath’s innings ended when he was caught by Kamindu off Dushmantha Chameera, who completed with figures of 2/29.Hong Kong began strongly, scoring 38 runs within the first 4 overs, thanks to Zeeshan Ali’s fast 23 runs off 17 balls.Chameera dismissed Ali, caught behind by Kusal Mendis, which slowed Hong Kong’s momentum. Hasaranga then eliminated Babar Hayat, additional limiting Hong Kong’s scoring fee.