Sri Lanka won the toss in Dubai and, without much hesitation, asked Hong Kong to bat. It is only the second outing for both sides at this Asia Cup, and Sri Lanka—still carrying the tag of defending champions—want a quick, uncomplicated start.
Captain Charith Asalanka has brought Maheesh Theekshana straight back into the XI. The off-spinner replaces tearaway Matheesha Pathirana, leaving Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara as the only specialist quicks. The idea, Asalanka said yesterday, is “to keep things simple on a surface that usually grips.”
Hong Kong have shuffled as well. Middle-order batter Shahid Wasif steps in for Kalhan Challu, a like-for-like swap according to coach Trent Johnston, who told local media the call was “more tactical than form-related.”
This is, remarkably, the first time the two teams have met in an international fixture. Sri Lanka arrive on the back of a tidy victory over Bangladesh, while Hong Kong are still searching for early points. “We know the odds,” skipper Yasim Murtaza admitted during the captains’ chat on match eve, “but tournaments like these are built on small moments.”
The sides
Hong Kong: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Shahid Wasif, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara.
Early numbers favour spin on this surface—spinners have claimed nearly 60% of wickets in the past six T20s here—so Theekshana’s recall fits the evidence. Hong Kong, though, will lean on Ehsan Khan’s off-breaks and hope an early partnership unsettles Sri Lanka’s plans.
First ball is due at 18:00 local time.
