Captain Hong Kong Yasim Murtaza felt much pride because his team spiritually lost to Sri Lanka in the ACC Men Asia Cup 2025 on Monday. Hong Kong had to take the lead in a game that they needed to win, and they were able to include a respectable score of 149/4 in the first innings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Openers Anshy Rath and the experienced Nizakat Khan contributed immensely, with Rath scoring 48, while Khan is yet to hit a half-century without defeat.
Another significant role was played by Murtaza, who hit two key wickets during the middle over, and this shook off Sri Lanka briefly in the pursuit. They moved 119/2 to 127/6, and gave the impression of an upset. Wanindu Hasaranga, however, counterattacked, and Pathum Nissanka was consistent with 68, and Sri Lanka won by four wickets over Hong Kong.
MUST READ: Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Reason Behind No Handshake After Match!
Yasim Murtaza, after the match, however, highly praised his batters, Nizakat and Anshy in particular. He also admitted that some of the dropped catches made them lose the game. I am incredibly proud of the manner in which the boys stood up today, and especially in the batting. The alliance of Nizakat and Anshy was very essential, Murtaza remarked. We would have taken 150-160, and we got what we wanted. We lost some catches, but that was what cost us the game.
In retrospect of their experience in the Asia Cup, Murtaza termed it as a dream come true and vowed to his team to be back stronger after correcting their errors. The good thing is that it is like a dream come true to play on the big stage. We will consider many things going back, and work on that, he said.
The defeat ended Hong Kong’s Asia Cup campaign, but the way they played against the defending champions was memorable.
