The opening day of the Hong Kong Sixes produced a gripping encounter as the host nation overcame Sri Lanka by four wickets, marking their second victory of the tournament and setting an exciting tone for the competition.
Originally, Hong Kong was scheduled to face Bangladesh in their first match of the day. However, persistent rain forced the abandonment of that fixture, making their clash against Sri Lanka the official opening contest for the day.
At the historic Mong Kok Cricket Ground, Sri Lanka’s innings began sluggishly. Openers Thinuka Dabaré and Dhananjaya Lakshan managed just 42 runs collectively in the first three overs, struggling to find momentum. The middle order failed to provide any meaningful resistance: Lahiru Dilshan could not accelerate the scoring, while Tharindu Ratnayake contributed only a single run. A late surge came from Nimesh Vimukthi, whose cameo of four balls astonishingly yielded 79 runs, allowing Sri Lanka to post a modest total for the hosts to chase.
Hong Kong’s reply began on a precarious note, losing their first wicket to the very first delivery of the innings. Bahar Hayat, one of their experienced batsmen, was dismissed cheaply, putting early pressure on the side. Yet, stability was quickly restored by Yasim Murtaza and Aziz Khan, who combined aggressive stroke play with precise running between the wickets. Captain Murtaza contributed a blistering 26 runs from just eight balls, while Aziz Khan took centre stage, smashing an unbeaten 44 runs off ten balls. Their combined efforts propelled Hong Kong to an emphatic victory in only 3.4 overs.
Aziz Khan’s remarkable performance earned him the Player of the Match award, reflecting the pivotal role he played in securing the win and electrifying the home crowd.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 79 | 6 | Lost |
| Hong Kong | 80/1 | 3.4 | Won by 4 wickets |
Hong Kong’s stunning display against a strong Sri Lankan side has already ignited enthusiasm among fans and showcased the team’s aggressive and fearless approach. With such a performance, the hosts have demonstrated that they are serious contenders in this year’s Hong Kong Sixes, promising more thrilling encounters in the days ahead.