Sri Lanka registered their second consecutive win in the Asia Cup 2025, beating Hong Kong, China by four wickets in a nervy finish. Pathum Nissanka was the hero, smashing a brilliant 68 off 44 balls to give his team the upper hand. Despite a late collapse, Wanindu Hasaranga kept his cool and guided Sri Lanka home with seven balls to spare.
Earlier, Hong Kong had put up a spirited effort. Skipper Nizakat Khan played a classy unbeaten knock of 52, while opener Anshuman Rath scored 48 to take their team to a competitive 149/4. Sri Lanka’s chase looked comfortable when Nissanka dominated the middle overs like India did against Pakistan, but four wickets fell in the span of eight runs, giving Hong Kong late hope. Eventually, Hasaranga’s calm finish sealed the result and ensured Sri Lanka’s smooth progress in Group B.
Brief scores: Hong Kong China 149/4 in 20 overs (Nizakat Khan 52*, Anshuman Rath 48; Dushmantha Chameera 2-29, Wanindu Hasaranga 1-27)lost to Sri Lanka 153/6 in 18.5 overs (Pathum Nissanka 68, Wanindu Hasaranga 20*; Yasim Murtaza 2-37) by 4 wickets
Best placed teams to enter the Super Four stage
With group matches heating up, the race to the Super Four is getting clearer. India remains a strong favorite after their dominant start, while Sri Lanka’s two back-to-back wins put them firmly in control of their group. Afghanistan is emerging as a dark horse after their emphatic victory against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh now faces an uphill battle after consecutive losses, and their batting inconsistencies remain a major problem. The UAE, despite its promise, lacks depth to match full-member nations. Based on current form, the four most likely teams for the Super Four are India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and one between Pakistan or Bangladesh, depending on results.
India’s surprising decision to bench Arshdeep Singh
One of the most debated topics has been India’s decision to leave Arshdeep Singh out of their Playing XI. The left-arm pacer has been one of India’s most consistent bowlers in T20 cricket, and in IPL, he performed for the Punjab Kings. His ability to swing the new ball and deliver pinpoint yorkers at the death makes him a specialist in crucial phases.
By not including him, India weakened their death-overs strategy. Instead, India opted for all-around options, but the balance looked skewed. Many experts feel Arshdeep should be a permanent starter, especially on flat pitches where variations are key. The decision has invited mixed reactions, and selectors may revisit their plans for the coming games.
Afghanistan’s convincing win against Bangladesh
Afghanistan produced one of their most clinical Asia Cup performances, crushing Bangladesh in a one-sided contest. Their spinners dominated through the middle overs, while their top order chased with ease. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad created pressure throughout the innings, exposing Bangladesh’s frail batting.
In reply, Afghanistan’s batters looked calm and assured. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz set the tone, while their middle order finished strong. The victory underlined Afghanistan’s growing maturity as a team, capable of beating top opponents on big stages.
How has league exposure lifted Afghanistan cricket?
Afghanistan’s rise is closely tied to the exposure their players get in global T20 leagues. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Naveen-ul-Haq all play regularly in leagues like the IPL, Big Bash, CPL, and PSL. These tournaments have given them experience against the best batters in the world.
In particular, the IPL has been a game-changer. Players like Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad have worked with top coaches, played high-pressure matches, and learned to handle crunch moments. That experience reflects in their calmness under pressure and smart tactical play. Unlike earlier years, Afghanistan no longer panic in close games. Instead, they now know how to finish matches, both with ball and bat.
This exposure has also improved their fitness, professionalism, and fielding standards. The younger generation, inspired by global stardom of their seniors, is better equipped to perform on the big stage. Afghanistan’s win over Bangladesh was not just a surprise — it was a statement of their arrival as a serious force in Asian cricket.
Where Sri Lanka still need improvement despite victories?
Sri Lanka may have won both their matches, but issues remain. Their batting is still over-reliant on Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis at the top. Once Nissanka was dismissed against Hong Kong, the middle order struggled under pressure. The collapse of four wickets for just eight runs is a worrying trend before facing stronger bowling attacks in the Super Four stage.
The bowling unit also looked inconsistent in the death overs. While Chameera and Hasaranga held nerves, Nuwan Thushara leaked runs and struggled with no-balls. Against teams like India or Afghanistan, such lapses can cost matches. Sri Lanka need to tighten their execution, especially in the last five overs of both innings.
Bangladesh’s recurring batting collapse in big tournaments
Bangladesh’s defeat to Afghanistan once again highlighted their long-standing batting problems. Their top order failed to build partnerships, while the middle order collapsed under spin pressure. Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan of Hong Kong looked more composed than Bangladesh’s senior players, which shows how concerning their decline is becoming. Also, the wide timeline gap against teams.
Despite having experienced campaigners like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, the team is yet to find reliable finishers. Bangladesh’s inability to rotate strike and their over-dependence on a few players keep hurting them in crunch matches. Unless they fix these batting issues, their hopes of making it to the Super Four will remain slim.
Why has the Asia Cup 2025 become more competitive?
Unlike past editions, the Asia Cup 2025 feels more unpredictable. Afghanistan is no longer a pushover, Sri Lanka has regained their fight, and even Hong Kong has shown sparks of quality. This makes the Super Four stage highly competitive, with no game guaranteed.
The depth of talent across Asian teams has grown thanks to franchise leagues and better training facilities. For fans, this means more close finishes, thrilling collapses, and upset wins. For the players, it’s a chance to prepare under pressure before the ICC T20 World Cup next year.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s nervy win over Hong Kong, India’s selection puzzles, and Afghanistan’s dominance over Bangladesh have set the tone for a thrilling Super Four. With India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan looking strong, the last slot may come down to how Bangladesh and Pakistan respond in their upcoming fixtures.
Afghanistan’s steady growth from league exposure, Sri Lanka’s fighting spirit, and India’s bench-strength debates show how dynamic the Asia Cup 2025 has become. As the Super Four stage approaches, one thing is clear — this edition will not be short of drama, surprises, and unforgettable performances.
