SL vs HK Ball by Ball Commentary

FOUR! DONE AND DUSTED! Wanindu Hasaranga takes Sri Lanka home with a boundary, and they beat Hong Kong, China by four wickets with 7 balls to spare. A bit fuller and around middle, Wanindu clears out his front leg and smokes it down the ground to the left of long on for a boundary to seal the deal.

FOUR! CRACKED! On a length and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga presses back and lofts it through the gap between mid off and extra cover for a boundary.

Fuller but down leg, Wanindu Hasaranga comes forward and flicks it in the gap towards deep square leg for another two runs. Sri Lanka need just 5 now as this has been excellent running between the wickets.

Good length and outside off, Wanindu cuts it to the left of backward point and runs two hard.

On a length and around off, WH mistimes his punch off the upper half of the bat but on the bounce to cover.

FOUR! THUMPED! Much shorter and around middle, Dasun Shanaka rocks back, clears out his front leg and pumps it to beat the diving deep mid-wicket fielder to his left for a boundary. Sri Lanka need just 9 runs.

Tossed it up and around off, Wanindu Hasaranga gets down on one knee and looks to slog-sweep it but mistimes it off the top edge of the bat. Luckily for him, the ball lands well before the incoming long on fielder. A single taken.

Short and around middle, punched back to the bowler off the back foot.

SIX! BOOM! Full and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga prods forward, gets to the pitch of the ball and smokes it downtown for a biggie. Makes full use of the freebie and it will ease down the pressure for sure.

Short and around off, Dasun knocks it down to long on for one. Uh-oh, Yasim Murtaza has overstepped and it is called a NO BALL! A Free-Hit is coming up...

Short and around middle, swiped away to deep backward square leg for one.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sri Lanka are crumbling here in Dubai as they have lost their sixth wicket. Slower and fuller, around off, Kamindu Mendis uses his feet and looks to take on the bowler. But as the ball gets some grip and turn off the deck, he mistimes his shot off the toe end of the bat towards deep mid-wicket, where Babar Hayat takes a well-judged catch.

Short again and on middle, angling in, Kamindu Mendis nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one. 23 needed 18 balls!

Goes short and around off, Kamindu Mendis cuts it away wide of deep point for a brace.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Kamindu Mendis only manages to fend it down the pitch.

Flighted, full and around off, Kamindu Mendis drives it wide of sweeper covers for a couple of runs.

OUT! TAKEN! GONE! Sri Lanka are five down. Short and outside off, Charith Asalanka rocks back and looks to cut it. But the ball skids through and turns away as well from the batter. He ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat towards short third, where Ayush Shukla takes it to his left.

RIPPER! The ball is suddenly doing a lot here. Flatter, full and on middle, turns square off the deck, Charith Asalanka plays all over it as the ball zips past the outside edge.

Full and around off, CS uses his feet and tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Full and around middle, swept away to deep square leg for one.

Full and around middle, knocked down to long off for one.

WOW! Slower and fuller, around off, Charith Asalanka comes forward and looks to drive it but gets beaten past the outside edge. No hat trick for Yasim Murtaza but he has turned the game on its head.

OUT! LBW! GONE! Hong Kong, China has two in two, and suddenly, Sri Lanka are starting to crumble. Full and around off from Yasim Murtaza, Kusal Perera gets down on one knee and across to sweep but misses. Gets pinged on the front pad as the ball sneaks past under the bat. A massive appeal for LBW goes up from the bowler and the keeper before the umpire raises his finger. However, Kusal Perera has taken a review and referred it upstairs. The third umpire is called in, and there is nothing on the UltraEdge. However, the Ball Tracking presents that the pitching is in line, the impact is the Umpire's call, and it would have hit the top of the middle stump. The on-field call stays, and Perera will have to walk back. Both the set batters gone in two balls!

OUT! PATHUM NISSANKA IS RUN OUT! That has been a suicidal thing to do, and Pathum Nissanka walks back after an impressive inning of 68 runs off 44 balls. A bit short and outside off, Kusal Perera comes forward and clips it towards deep mid-wicket with soft hands. He takes the first one hard and pushes his partner for the second, but they decide a bit late. In the meantime, Yasim Murtaza himself runs across to his left and gets to the ball quickly with a slide. Nissanka tries to hurry, but is halfway through the pitch when the throw comes at the bowling end. Shahid Wasif, backing up at the bowler's end, collects the throw and dislodges the bails. The third umpire is called in, and the replays show that Pathum is well short of his crease despite putting a full-length dive with extended arms to slide his bat. The last thing Sri Lanka could have done was to throw a wicket here. Also, Dasun Shanaka comes out to the middle now.

OH DEAR...DROPPED AGAIN! Quicker, shorter and on middle, Pathum Nissanka moves back and lobs it straight back to the bowler. Ehsan gets into a good position but still spills it out. Butterfingers for Hong Kong, China!

Low full toss, on middle, Kusal Perera clips it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Fires in a yorker, on middle, Kusal Perera digs it to the left of the bowler.

Short and on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Perera pushes it to covers for a single.

SIX! Incredible shot! Floated, full and around off, Kusal Perera quickly changes his stance to get into the position and nails the reverse paddle over the deep third fence for a biggie.

Good length and on off, Pathum Nissanka guides it to point. 41 needed in 6 overs!

DROPPED AND FOUR! Hong Kong, China, are crumbling in the field here! Another slower one, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka looks to slog it away but fails to get the timing. The ball flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Shahid Wasif runs to his right and very casually tries to reverse cup it, but spills it out as the ball rolls away to the fence. You can't drop these many chances and get away with it. As per the on-air commentators, this is Hong Kong, China's 10TH DROPPED CATCH in the tournament.

Pace off, back of a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka stabs it out to extra covers.

FOUR! Poor bowling! Slower one, full but sliding down the leg side, with fine leg up in the circle. Pathum Nissanka crouches low, gets inside the line of it and scoops it over short fine for a boundary.

Fuller and around off, Kusal Perera drives it crisply through cover-point for a single.

FOUR! 100 UP FOR LANKA! Good length and on middle, Kusal Perera stands tall in his crease, uses his strength to muscle it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Sri Lanka are changing gears now! Ayush Shukla sticks to the shorter length, on middle, but this is not that short. Bread and butter for Pathum Nissanka as he gets on top of it, drags it away, threading the gap perfectly between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for four more runs.

FOUR! Salt to the wounds! Short again and on middle, Pathum Nissanka picks up the length early and pulls it with disdain towards the deep square leg fence for a crunching boundary.

DROPPED! Another chance goes down! The pressure is getting to the nerves of the players of Hong Kong, China. Banged into the pitch around off, pace on, Kusal Perera tries to pull it away but gets a bit of a top edge towards mid off. The fielder reacts a bit late, runs forward and dives, but fails to hold onto it with the ball dying down. They cross. Shukla has tried everything, but the fielders aren't giving their support to him.

On a length and on leg, Pathum Nissanka works it through square leg for one.

Put down! Great effort though! Slower again, full and around off, Kusal Perera goes through his push early and just chips it towards short-wicket. Zeeshan Ali leaps in the air and tries to take it with his extended arms, but it just bursts through behind him. They cross. Shukla is livid with this drop and screams in frustration.

FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! His 17th in T20Is! He has been the best batter for Sri Lanka in this format this year, and will look to stay till the end here. Short of a length and on middle, slower as well, Pathum Nissanka pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka steers it to short third for a quick one.

Hard length and on off, Pathum Nissanka dabs it down to backward point.

Short of a length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it away wide of deep point for a brace. Moves to 48 now.

SIX! Clears the fence! Goes fuller and on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka picks it up off his pads and just helps it using the pace over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. 69 needed in 51 now!

Short and on off, Kusal Perera pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Swing and a miss! Back of a length and around off, angles in, Kusal Perera uses his feet to heave it across the line but only connects with thin air.

Shortish and on middle, Pathum Nissanka nudges it short mid-wicket.

DROPPED! That should have been taken! Slows it up, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka thumps it really hard and aerially straight back to the bowler. Ehsan Khan fails to react quickly on his follow-through, tries to grab it with both hands around his chest, but the ball hits his fingers and parries away.

FOUR! Nicely done! Flatter, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka goes down across and swipes it hard and over backward square leg for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on off, Kusal Perera pushes it to covers for a single.

Good effort in the field! Flighted, full and around off, Pathum Nissanka drills it away hard and wide through covers. The fielder from deep point runs to his right and dives to make the stop. He quickly gets up and fires a throw at the bowler's end as the batters set off for the third run. Khan collects it near the stumps and breaks it, but Nissanka has made his ground. A direct hit was needed there!

Floated, full and on middle, angling in, Kusal Perera goes down to sweep but it goes off his pads towards short fine. There is a shout for LBW, but turned down. Leg by taken.

On a length and outside off, Kusal taps it towards backward point where the fielder makes a fumble, which allows the batter to take a single. Sri Lanka are 65/2 at the halfway through the inning, needing another 85 in the last ten overs.

Lands it full and around middle, PN knocks it down to long on for a single.

Slower and on a length and outside off, Kusal Perera taps it down towards cover point and takes a single to get off the mark.

OUT! TAKEN! Aizaz Khan strikes on his third ball, and this is a big wicket for Hong Kong, China. Short of a length and outside off, but with pace taken off. Kamil Mishara rises with the bounce, but he has to drag it as he extends his arms and tries to pull it. Gets deceived by the lack of pace on it, and the ball catches the top edge of the bat and goes in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Babar Hayat runs forward, judges the catch well and dives to take it just above the turf. Aizaz is pumped up as he celebrates the wicket, and Kamil Mishara walks back for 19 (18). The fielding of Hong Kong, China has been pretty good so far. Sri Lanka are 62/2, needing 88 runs more in the last 63 balls.

BEATEN! Change of pace, on a length and outside off, Kamil Mishara throws his hands at it but plays his shot a bit early. Gets deceived by the lack of pace on it and misses his shot.

Short of a good length and around middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it hard but finds the deep mid-wicket fielder. Only a single.

Nagging length and on the pads, tucked away through square leg for one with soft hands. 10 off the over and 21 runs off the last two overs. Sri Lanka are 61/1, needing another 89 runs in the last 11 overs.

Touch short and outside off, KM punches it through covers for one.

Full and around off, Kamil Mishara again gets across and drills it to the left of cover. However, the long off fielder runs across to his right and puts in a dive to cut it off. Two runs taken.

Slower and shorter, around middle, Pathum flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short and wide outside off, KM presses back and cuts it to deep point for one more.

FOUR! PURE POWER! Full and outside off, Kamil Mishara plants his front leg forward and drills it to beat the flying cover fielder to his left for a cracking boundary.

A bit shorter and slower, around off, Kamil presses back and nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 11 off the over and Sri Lanka are 51/1, needing 99 more in the last 12 overs.

Touch short and on the pads, eased down to long on for a single more.

Dragged back length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back and punches it to the right of deep point for a coule of runs more.

Slower and fuller, around off, Kamil punches it through covers for one.

SIX! BREAKS THE SHACKLES! Yasim tosses the ball, full and around middle, Kamil Mishara uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and smokes it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. That has travelled way back into the stands, and it is a long boundary, but the shot has been timed off the middle of the bat.

Short and around off, Kamil Mishara goes back and punches it to the left of the bowler.

Touch full and around off, Pathum Nissanka drags it in the gap towards deep mid-wicket and picks up two runs.

Quicker, full and outside off, PN looks to push at it but misses.

What an excellent effort in the field! Slower and fuller, around middle, Pathum Nissanka gets down on one knee and across to slog-sweep it, but mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder from the deep runs forward and puts in a dive with extended forearms, but the ball lands just short of his hands. Two runs taken, but will have to appreciate the effort, though.

Nagging length and aruond middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Skidding through, short and outside off, PN presses back and looks to cut it but the ball stays a bit low as well. He misses his shot.

A full toss and around off, Kamil Mishara lofts it towards long off and takes a single. There was loud shout of the catch from the bowler but the ball lands well ahead of the fielder in the deep.

Full and around middle, knocked down to long on for a single. Sri Lanka end their Powerplay with a score of 35/1, needing 135 more in the last 14 overs.

Pace off, on a length and outside off, Pathum punches it towards cover where the fielder gets across to his left and makes a good stop. However, the batters take a single.

Fractionally short and around middle, Nissanka presses back and pulls it in the gap towards deep mid-wicket for two runs.

On a length, angling in, around middle, Pathum Nissanka gets cramped and chops it down beside the pitch on the off side. Kamil Mishara wants a single but is sent back.

Hard length and outside off, Kamil punches it towards mid off and takes a quick single to get off the mark on his sixth ball.

On a length and angling in, around middle, PN knocks it down to long on for a single.

Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Kamil Mishara gets cramped up and misses his flick to get hit on the pads. Excellent comeback from Ehsan Khan after giving away three runs on his first ball, he ends with five dots.

Flatter, short and around off, Kamil Mishara steers it away to backward point.

Flighted, full and on middle, Kamil Mishara drives it to short covers.

Looped up, full and on middle, Kamil Mishara tries to push it away but ends up lobbing it in the air but it falls in front of mid off.

Tossed up, full and on off, turns away with bounce, Kamil Mishara stabs it out to short covers.

Sloppy fielding! Floated, short and around off, Pathum Nissanka cuts it wide of point where the fielder dives over the ball. The ball rolls away in the deep as the batters take three runs.

OUT! TAKEN! Ayush Shukla has the last laugh here! After conceding 15 in the over, he gets the breakthrough for Hong Kong, China. He bangs this hard into the pitch, on middle, and pace on this time. Kusal Mendis stays back and looks to pull it away, but the ball just gets a bit big on him. He gets a top edge as the ball goes high in the air, wide of deep square leg. Anshy Rath runs a long way to his left, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a fantastic catch with a reverse cup, tumbling forward. Sri Lanka are 26/1, chasing 150!

FOUR! 15 runs already with one ball to go in the over! Another slower one, pitched up and on middle, Kusal Mendis reads it early this time, gets under it and smacks it over mid-wicket for four more runs.

Back of a length and around off, Kusal Mendis stabs it out to short covers.

FOUR! Gets it away! Pitched up but angling into the pads, and takes pace off. Kusal Mendis brings his wrists into the play and whips it away stylishly to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Fuller one and outside off, slower too, Pathum Nissanka throws his bat at it but gets a top edge on the bounce to third man for a single.

SIX! BANG! That will release a bit of pressure! Back of a length and on middle, it does not bounce that much and sits up nicely for the batter. Pathum Nissanka picks up the length quickly and smokes it over the deep square leg fence with ease for a biggie.

MAIDEN OVER! Brilliant stuff from Ateeq Iqbal! He hits the hard length and on off, Kusal Mendis just defends it on the back foot. Pressure building!

On a length and around of, Kusal Mendis pushes it to covers.

Pitched up and on middle, Kusal Mendis clips it to short mid-wicket. Four dots now!

Three dots in a row now! Back of a length and on middle, Kusal Mendis neither gets forward nor backward and just stays there to pat it on the pitch.

Full again and on middle, pace off, Kusal Mendis fends it away to short covers.

Fuller in length and on off, Kusal Mendis strides out and blocks it out.

Bangs this into the pitch, on off, slower again, Pathum Nissanka this time goes through his pull early and takes a blow on his back. Fine over from Ayush Shukla!

A big shout for LBW, and GIVEN! However, Pathum Nissanka takes the review after a chat with his partner. Ayush Shukla rolls his fingers to take pace off, full and on middle, and angles in a bit. Nissanka goes through his on-drive a bit early and misses, getting hit on the back pad. UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved, and Ball Tracking shows it just goes past the leg stump. A lucky escape for Nissanka as the on-field call gets overturned.

Back of a length and on off, Kusal Mendis stays back and works it towards mid on for a single.

Hits the length hard, on middle, angles in, Kusal Mendis has no room to work with and just pats it down the pitch.

Good length and on off, Kusal Mendis gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Ayush Shukla begins with a back-of-a-length delivery around off, Kusal Mendis rides the bounce well and punches it through cover-point for a brace. Gets off the mark as well.

Quicker, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka pats it back towards the bowler. 8 runs off the first over!

FOUR! First one of the chase! Loopy delivery, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka goes down on his knee and lofts it down the ground. He knows that mid on is up in the circle and clears the fielder with ease for a boundary.

Slows it up, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka strides out and blocks it out to short covers.

Flatter, shortish and on leg, Pathum Nissanka clips it away wide of square leg as the fielder gives chase and collects it. Two taken.

Floated, short and around off, Pathum Nissanka stays back and steers it to backward point.

Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka get underway in the chase! Yasim Murtaza starts with a tossed up delivery, full and around off, Nissanka goes down and drives it firmly through covers for a couple of runs.