Match 8 of the 2025 Asia Cup will be the second game of the day, with Hong Kong taking on Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on September 15.
For the game, here are our preview and predictions.
The Lankan Lions are fresh off a big win over Bangladesh in their opening game and are the heavy favourites in this encounter.
The runners-up of the last Asia Cup edition were clinical with both ball and bat in the opener. Seamers Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera choked Bangladesh early on before Wanindu Hasaranga put the final nail in the coffin. The Lankan bowling attack is tailor-made for the slow tracks in the UAE, and we might see some more spin options in the upcoming games.
Pathum Nissanka kicked off the event for Sri Lanka with a well-paced half-century, while Kamil Mishara’s 46* guided the team home. The batting line-up has plenty of experience — the likes of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka, and Charith Asalanka make the team dark horses for the tournament.
Hong Kong, on the other hand, started the tournament with back-to-back losses against Bangladesh and Afghanistan and are out of the running for a spot in the Super Fours. After a total batting collapse against Afghanistan, they did show some fight against Bangladesh, with Zeeshan Ali, Nizakat Khan, and captain Yasim Murtaza getting some important runs and time out in the middle. With the ball, Ayush Shukla and Ateeq Iqbal have both been expensive at the top, with only Ehsan Khan troubling the opponents.
At the slow and turning Dubai track, Sri Lanka come in as the favourites. With a strong spin attack, expect the Lankan Lions to pick up their second win of the tournament.
Fantasy XI: Pathum Nissanka, Anshuman Rath, Kusal Mendis, Zeeshan Ali, Babar Hayat, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Ayush Shukla, Yasim Murtaza, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Winners Prediction: Sri Lanka
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