The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 continues with Match No. 7, where Sri Lanka A (SL-A) will face Hong Kong, China (HK) on Monday, November 17 at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha. Both teams come into this game after suffering defeats and will be eager to bounce back.

Sri Lanka A lost a close game against Afghanistan A by three wickets with just one ball left. Despite the defeat, they showed fighting spirit, especially with Milan Rathnayake’s quick 41 off 19 balls, which kept them in the match. They will now aim to put up a stronger all-round performance and open their account in the tournament.

Hong Kong earlier suffered a crushing defeat on the same day when Habibur Rahman Sohan of Bangladesh A stroked a magnificent 100 off 35 balls, which took the game out of their grasp. Following such a heavy defeat, Hong Kong will hope to regroup quickly for this coming match.

The teams will feel the importance of a win on Monday to keep their hopes alive of reaching the knockout stage. Expect a competitive and highly energetic contest with both sides battling hard to keep themselves in the competition.

SL-A vs HK: Head-to-Head Record in T20Is 

• Matches Played: 1
• Sri Lanka A Won: 1 
• Hong Kong Won: 0 No
• Result: 0 
• Tied: 0

SL-A vs HK: Pitch Report 

Generally, the pitch at West End Park Stadium is excellent to bat on, particularly for players who spend time in the middle. The surface offers good bounce, making stroke play easier. Bowlers, especially with the new ball, may get a bit of movement early on, but overall, a high-scoring match is expected. Teams winning the toss usually prefer to bat first to put a strong total on the board.

See Also: ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 Match 8: BAN-A vs AFG-A head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

SL-A vs HK: Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka A Predicted Playing XIs: 

Nishan Madushka (WK), Nuwanidu Fernando, Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige, Milan Rathnayake, Vishen Halambage, Ramesh Mendis, Dunith Wellalage (C), Isitha Wijesundera, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Garuka Sanketh.

Hong Kong Predicted Playing XIs: 

Yasim Murtaza (C), Zeeshan Ali (WK), Kinchit Shah, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Anshuman Rath, Ehsan Khan, Shiv Mathur, Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Nasrulla Rana.

Sri Lanka secured a narrow 4-wicket victory over Hong Kong in Match 8 of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium. After Hong Kong batted first and made a respectable 149/4 in 20 overs, with Nizakat Khan's aggressive 52 and Anshuman Rath's solid 48. In reply, Sri Lanka had a shaky start but Pathum Nissanka’s superb 68 off 44 balls steadied the innings. Wanindu Hasaranga then provided the finishing touch with a quickfire cameo to seal victory with seven balls remaining. below are the main reasons for Hong Kong defeat:

1. Dropped Catches Cost Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s fielders dropped as many as six catches, including crucial ones of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera. These missed chances caused Sri Lanka's key batters to score freely.

2. Lack of Breakthroughs in Powerplay

Even with a decent target to defend, Hong Kong failed to get early breakthroughs in the power play. Sri Lanka ended the powerplay at 35/1 which gave them the opportunity to build their chase.

See Also: 'We have come to be champions..'- Bangladesh star vow to bounce back ahead of BAN vs AFG Asia Cup 2025 match

3. Nissanka’s Anchor & Hasaranga’s Finish

Nissanka's composed 68 was the foundation of Sri Lanka’s chase, and Hasaranga’s innings guaranteed there would be no hiccups, undermining Hong Kong's hopes of an upset in the closing overs.

Sri Lanka chose to bowl first after winning the toss against Hong Kong in their second Asia Cup 2025 match. They were excellent in their first game against Bangladesh, with both bat and ball, and will look to keep up the same momentum today.

There’s one change in their playing XI Matheesha Pathirana has been replaced by Maheesh Theekshana. This means Sri Lanka have gone with only two fast bowlers, while Theekshana will team up with Wanindu Hasaranga to take charge of the spin attack.

The decision to rest Pathirana makes sense. The Dubai pitch is quite dry and is expected to help spinners more than pacers. Theekshana can be a match-winner on such pitches and could trouble the Hong Kong batters.

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2025, HK vs SL, Match 8: Hong Kong vs Sri Lanka Toss update and Playing XI

Pathirana also didn’t have the best outing against Bangladesh, going wicketless and conceding 42 runs. On top of that, he has a history of injuries, so the team wants to manage his workload carefully and keep him fresh for bigger matches later in the tournament. With Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara will lead the pace attack , Sri Lanka will hope their bowlers can get the job done and keep their winning run alive.

Bangladesh registered a convincing 7-wicket win over Hong Kong in the Group B match 3 clash of the Asia Cup 2025. After Hong Kong batted first and scored 143/7 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Nizakat Khan (42 off 40), Zeeshan Ali (30 off 34) and Yasim Murtaza (28 off 19), the Bangladesh bowlers led by the tight spells of Tanzim Hasan (2/21), Rishad Hossain (2/31) and Taskin Ahmed (2/38) did all they could to defend the total. Bangladesh comfortably chased down the target of 144, winning with 144/3 in 17.4 overs. They were led by top scorer Litton Das (59 off 39) and Towhid Hridoy (35* off 36). Below are the main reasons for Hong Kong defeat:

1. Inability to Accelerate in the Middle Overs

Although, the start was steady with Nizakat Khan (42) and Zeeshan Ali (30), Hong Kong struggled to up the scoring rate in the middle overs. Bangladesh bowlers used variations into good use to restrict the upcoming runs.

2. Key Partnerships Broken by Timely Breakthroughs

Every time Hong Kong tried to build some sort of momentum, Bangladesh were always on hand to take wickets. Taskin, Rishad, and Tanzim made sure that partnerships did not get big, and restricted Hong Kong to a low score.

See Also: [WATCH] Asia Cup 2025: Hong Kong Captain Yasim Murtaza hits 2 strong sixes in BAN vs HKC Match 3

3. Limited Total Set for Bangladesh's Chase

A target of 143 was never going to be enough against a strong batting unit like Bangladesh, naturally, Litton Das' fluent 59 and Towhid Hridoy's calm unbeaten 35 made the chase look simple and wrapped the game up comfortably.

Hong Kong fought hard in their second game in the Asia Cup 2025 against Bangladesh, as they scored 143/7 in 20 overs. Their captain Yasim Murtaza played a strong innings, where the left-handed batter smashed two strong sixes. 

Bangladesh captain Litton Das chose to field first in their tournament opener on Thursday (September 11) night at Abu Dhabi. Hong Kong had a rough start this match, while they scored 94/9 in 20 overs against Afghanistan in the tournament opener after their opponents scored 188/6 in 20 overs. 

Bangladesh vs Hong Kong: Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza stuns with his batting performance

Against Bangladesh, three Hong Kong batters managed to cross the 20-run mark. While the opener Zeeshan Ali scored 30 off 34 balls (three fours and one six), Nizakat Khan scored 42 off 40 balls (two fours and one six), and skipper Yasim Murtaza scored 28 runs off 19 balls with two fours and two sixes.

Coming to bat at no.5, Murtaza had a 46-run partnership with Nizakat for the fourth wicket before an unfortunate run out due to a terrible mix-up ended his strong innings. Before his dismissal, Murtaza entertained with his fine batting performance.

[WATCH] Tanzim Hasan Sakib celebrates fiercely during Bangladesh vs Hong Kong Match 3

Murtaza hit first six to Tanzim

Murtaza hit his first six of the match to Bangladesh pacer Tanzid Hasan Sakib, who was in good rhythm as most Hong Kong batters were struggling to handle him. It was a back-of-the-length fast delivery on leg in the 14th over of the innings, which Murtaza perfectly timed to secure a giant six over the backward short leg boundary. 

Murtaza hit second six to Mahedi

In the next over, Murtaza again smashed a sixer to the Bangladesh spinner Mahedi Hasan. After stepping down, the left-handed batter smashed the ball over the long on for another crucial six. While Hong Kong managed to hit five sixes in the innings, their skipper smashed it twice. 

సూపర్ షాట్స్‌తో అలరిస్తున్న 🇭🇰 కెప్టెన్ Yasim Murtaza 🥳

చూడండి #BANvHKC లైవ్
Sony Sports Network TV Channels & Sony LIV లో#SonySportsNetwork #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 #ACCMensAsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/sHx9Dq9sLV

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 11, 2025

For the third encounter of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, Hong Kong locked horns with Bangladesh at the Shiekh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, as the former was trying to open their account after their first defeat of the tournament against Afghanistan at the same ground, while Bangladesh was making a dominating start.

Bangladesh’s captain, Litton Das, won the toss and decided to bowl first on a surface which was anticipated to be friendly for the pacers. On the third ball of the fifth over, Babar Hayat danced down the track against Tanzim Hasan Sakib and found the length ball in the middle of his bat to swat it over the mid-on region.

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However, it was a chance for the bowler to make a comeback with the ball. He went with a full and straight delivery as the batter again charged down the surface and swung his willow. Beaten by the pace comprehensively, his bat was in a different postcode to see the stumps being broken as Hayat returned to the hut for 14 runs. Sakib now gave an aggressive celebration at the batter.

Watch: Tanzim Hasan Sakib gives aggressive celebration to Babar Hayat in BAN vs HK Match 3

On the ninth ball of the innings, Hong Kong lost their opening wicket and found themselves two runs in the fifth over for 30 runs. The wicket-keeper opening batter, Zeeshan Ali, who smashed 30 runs in 34 balls at a strike rate of 88.24 with three boundaries and one six, put up a 41-run stand with Nizakat Khan, who got 42 runs in 40 balls.

Babar Hayat clears the rope, but Tanzim Hasan has the last laugh 😎

Watch #BANvHKC LIVE NOW, on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/3isqh2Q3k8

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 11, 2025

The captain of the side, Yasim Murtaza, blasted 28 runs in 19 balls as the China side ended with 143/7 in their allotted 20 overs of the first inning. All of Rishad Hossain, Sakib, and Taskin Ahmed picked up two wickets each.

Both Bangladesh openers ended with low scores on the board as they found themselves 51/2 in six overs of the powerplay. At the last update of the scorecard, they had already crossed the 65-run mark and were in a good spot to chase down the target in the second innings.

Afghanistan got off to a winning start in the Asia Cup 2025 Group B clash with a dominant performance against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. Following a shaky start, Afghanistan's middle order stepped up with Sediqullah Atal's unbeaten 73 and Azmatullah Omarzai's record-breaking fifty; Afghanistan finished up compiling a strong score of 188/6. In reply, Hong Kong faltered badly, collapsing in the powerplay and never recovering as they were bundled out for under 100. Afghanistan’s clinical bowling and sharp fielding sealed a massive 94-run victory to begin their campaign in style. Below are the main reasons for Hong Kong defeat:

1. Afghanistan’s powerful batting partnership and record-breaking innings

Afghanistan, after a shaky start, postponed collapse with a match-winning 73* off 52 balls from Sediqullah Atal and a blazing Azmatullah Omarzai, whose fifty came off just 20 balls, a record-fast for Afghanistan in T20Is. Their late-over surge propelled the total to 188/6.

2. Hong Kong’s collapse during the power play and poor execution

In response, Hong Kong collapsed early: they were 23/4 after six overs, losing a number of wickets during the powerplay. The top- and middle-order batsmen formed no partnerships and could not control their required run rate, which soared beyond control.

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3. Disciplined Afghan bowling and sharp fielding pressure

Afghan bowlers Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, and Rashid Khan, among others, bowled disciplined, low-scoring spells, which ensured that Hong Kong got no substantial breakthroughs. Two run-outs, with important dropped catches that were recovered, meant Hong Kong never got back into the game at any stage.

The Asia Cup 2025 began with the Afghanistan vs Hong Kong match. Some of the cricket fans are surprised to see the word 'China' on the Hong Kong cricket team jersey. There are some surprising reasons behind it, which forced the Hong Kong cricket team to use the word 'China' on their official jersey. 

The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 has started with eight teams, including Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The initial stage of the tournament is set in a group format. All the participating eight teams are divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the next round, which is the Super 4 stage. From there, only the two best teams will qualify for the final match, which is scheduled on September 28. As Afghanistan and Hong Kong are in the same group, they faced each other in the primary phase of the contest. 

Before the inaugural match, when captains from 8 teams gathered for the trophy unveiling ceremony, a large number of cricket fans noticed that the jersey of the Hong Kong cricket team was bearing the word 'China.' Why? 

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Why is China's name on the official jersey of the Hong Kong cricket team?

The reason is mostly political. The government of China strongly claimed that Hong Kong is their part. The political tension between China and Hong Kong is not new. The government of China has a strong hold on Hong Kong's sports administration as well, including the cricket setup. In 2023, the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee instructed all national sports associations in Hong Kong to add the word 'China' to their official name. Notably, in official papers, Hong Kong is officially the 'Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.'

 If any of the sports sectors of Hong Kong dare to disobey the mandate, then they can lose funding from the Government of China, and they can even lose the right to participate in top international events. By using the name 'Hong Kong China,' China ensures that its sovereignty is clearly represented on the international stage.

Hong Kong featured in the shortest format during the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy 2025 tournament, coming into the Men’s Asia Cup T20, which is scheduled to begin on September 09. Hong Kong will be part of the event after a long time, and that shows how they have started to progress in the shortest format.

Hong Kong has decided to go with an experienced line-up under the leadership of Yasim Murtaza, with some notable players, Nizakat Khan and Babar Hayat, in the side. In the bowling department, Ehsan Khan is expected to play a crucial role with notable wickets.

Hong Kong’s squad for Men’s Asia Cup 2025- Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Nizakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, Ehsan Khan.

See Also: Top 3 players to watch from Oman ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Hong Kong will feature in the curtain raiser of the competition against Afghanistan on September 09 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi before locking horns with Bangladesh at the same ground two days later. Their last group-stage fixture will be against Sri Lanka on September 15 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Let’s take a look at the top three players to watch from Hong Kong ahead of the Asia Cup 2025

3. Nizakat Khan

Nizakat Khan, the 33-year-old right-handed batter, is the leading run-scorer of the Hong Kong side in the shortest format. In 112 innings, he has smashed 2282 runs at an average of under 22 and a strike rate of 121.25 with the help of 11 half-centuries at the best score of 81 runs. Despite being an all-rounder, he hasn’t contributed much with the ball.

In 138 innings of the T20s, he has clubbed 2776 runs at an average of under 22 and a strike rate of 119.70, thanks to 13 fifties at the best score of 81 runs. With the ball, he has bagged 81 wickets at an economy rate of just over six.

If he can repeat the same skills and runs in the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 against the stronger side, it will be really beneficial for the Hong Kong side.

2. Babar Hayat

Babar Hayat is just under Nizakat Khan in the all-time list of most runs in the T20Is for the Hong Kong side. In 91 innings, he has smacked 2216 runs at an average of 28.41 and a strike rate of more than 130, with the help of 12 half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of 122 runs.

In 114 T20 innings, Babar has drilled 2704 runs at an average of under 28 and a strike rate of 127.12. Besides that, he has also celebrated 13 fifties and a couple of half-centuries at the best score of 122.

One of the best skills of the right-handed batter on the right side is how he can easily smash the big shots. In 114 T20 innings, Babar has clubbed 163 boundaries and 154 over boundaries, which shows his balanced power of nailing the big shots.

1. Ehsan Khan

The 40-year-old right-arm off-spinner of the Hong Kong side, Ehsan Khan, is the leading wicket-taker of the shortest format. In 92 innings of the shortest format, Ehsan has bagged 127 wickets at an average of under 17 and a strike rate of 15.7 with an economy rate of just over six, thanks to five four-wicket hauls at the best bowling figure of 4/5 in an innings.

In 95 innings of the T20s, he has collected 132 wickets at an average of 16.40 and a strike rate of 15.7 with an economy rate of 6.26. One of his best skills has been how he has been able to hold the runs in any phase of the game, and on those slow and low Dubai and Abu Dhabi surfaces, he could prove to be a key figure.

His partnership in the bowling department with Aizaz Khan, who has collected 96 T20I wickets in 82 innings, will be another vital aspect for Hong Kong. Their eight overs can prove to be essential against the dominant sides in the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

Hong Kong are slated to make their fifth Asia Cup appearance by facing Afghanistan in the tournament opener on September 9. This will also be their second appearance in the T20I format. Hong Kong are placed alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in Group B and will play all its league fixtures at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. 

Led by Zeeshan Ali, the tiny Asian nation enters the high-stakes tournament with a lot of promise. After qualifying for the first time in the 2004 edition, the team made a comeback in the 2008 edition, before enduring a 10-year-long wait to make a return in 2018. Their preparations and coaching vision suggest a team aiming to compete, not just participate. But to truly make an impact, they must rise to the challenge of pressure cricket and deliver fearless, consistent performances.

With that being said, here is a quick SWOT analysis that will help you gauge the competitive edge of the current Hong Kong squad better.

See also: Oman pick four uncapped players for Asia Cup 2025

Strengths

• Balanced Blend of Experience and Youth: Hong Kong’s 20-member squad showcases a thoughtful mix of seasoned performers and promising young talent. Captain Yasim Murtaza, a proven bowling all-rounder, leads alongside vice-captain Babar Hayat, famed for being one of only two batters to have scored a T20 Asia Cup century (the other being Virat Kohli)
• Strong Spin Attack: The spin department is a standout, anchored by both Murtaza and Ehsan Khan, who boast 127 T20I wickets at an excellent economy and average. 
• Key Batsmen with Firepower: The middle order includes aggressive and high-caliber players like Anshuman Rath, Nizakat Khan, Babar Hayat, and Zeeshan Ali. Rath averages over 30 in T20Is, while Zeeshan impresses with a striking strike rate of nearly 137.
• Proactive Preparation & Leadership: A preparation camp in the UAE, including match simulation under lights, indicates serious intent. New head coach Kaushal Silva is fostering a “play with freedom” philosophy to build a confident, expressive team culture.

Weaknesses

• Tough Group Draw: Hong Kong finds itself in Group B alongside powerhouses such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, making progression to the Super Four stage highly challenging.
• Limited High-Level Match Experience: While consistent at associate levels, Hong Kong has struggled to make its mark in the Asia Cup and hasn’t advanced beyond the first round in prior editions. Their exposure to pressure cricket against top-tier opponents remains minimal.
• Batting Volatility Under Pressure: While explosive, the batting lineup has had streaky performances. Against associates, they’ve shown dominance, but it remains untested against elite bowlers.

Opportunities

• First Super Four Qualified: A breakthrough performance could take them to the Super Four stage for the first time, an opportunity for historic success. Hong Kong already have at least one T20I win against both Bangladesh and Afghanistan, hence the prospect of them progressing to Super 4 is certainly in the offing.
• Upset Potential: T20's unpredictability works in Hong Kong’s favor. Their aggressive batting and crafty spin attack mean they could spring surprises if they execute well.
• Young Talent Development: Players like Kalhan Challu, Ayush Shukla, and Ali Hassan are gaining high-level exposure that could accelerate their growth.
• Positive Team Culture: Silva’s “free” mindset might help unlock performance, reducing pressure and allowing natural game instincts to shine.

Threats

• Facing Elite Opposition: With India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the tournament bracket (though Hong Kong is in Group B), Bangladesh and Afghanistan still loom large and could crush momentum.
• Facing Elite Opposition: With India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the tournament bracket (though Hong Kong is in Group B), Bangladesh and Afghanistan still loom large and could crush momentum.

Powerful predicted playing XL: Aamir Kaleem, Jatinder Singh (c), Hammad Mirza, Mohammed Nadeem, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Karan Sonavale, Shakeel Ahmad, Muhammed Imran, Sufyan Mehmood, Hassnain Shah, Samay Shrivastava