Sri Lanka secured a comfortable 21-run victory over the United Arab Emirates in the Bowl Final of the Hong Kong International Sixes 2025 at Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok on November 9, 2025.Led by captain Lahiru Madushanka, Sri Lanka posted an impressive 106/2 in their six overs before restricting UAE to 85/2, falling short of the 107-run target. Wicketkeeper Sachitha Jayatilake was the star performer, retiring hurt after a blistering 52 off just 13 balls at a strike rate of 400. UAE’s Nilansh Keswani fought hard with 44 runs but couldn’t prevent his team’s defeat in this fast-paced six-a-side format.
Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 106 | 6.0 | 2 | Won by 21 runs |
| UAE | 85 | 6.0 | 2 | Lost |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachitha Jayatilake | Sri Lanka | Wicketkeeper-Batter | 52* (13 balls, 3 fours, 6 sixes, SR: 400.00) |
| Nilansh Keswani | UAE | Batter | 44 (19 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes, SR: 231.57) |
| Dhananjaya Lakshan | Sri Lanka | All-rounder | 15* (9 balls) + 1/16 (1 over) |
| Nimesh Vimukthi | Sri Lanka | Bowler | 13* (7 balls) + 1/6 (1 over) |
| Khalid Shah | UAE | Captain/Wicketkeeper | 23* (14 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) |
Key Moments
- Sri Lanka’s Explosive Start: Sachitha Jayatilake hammered 52 off just 13 balls before retiring hurt, setting the foundation with an astonishing strike rate of 400
- Early Setback for Sri Lanka: Lahiru Samarakoon fell for 14 in the first over, caught by Muhammad Arfan off Zahid Ali’s bowling
- Captain’s Dismissal: Lahiru Madushanka departed for just 3 runs, bowled by Saghir Khan in the fourth over
- Strong Finish: Dhananjaya Lakshan (15*) and Nimesh Vimukthi (13*) added crucial runs to push Sri Lanka past 100
- UAE’s Poor Start: Saghir Khan was dismissed for 6 in the first over by Dhananjaya Lakshan, leaving UAE at 6/1
- Keswani’s Brave Effort: Nilansh Keswani struck a brilliant 44 off 19 balls but was caught by Lakshan off Vimukthi’s bowling with just one ball remaining
- Disciplined Sri Lankan Bowling: Sri Lanka kept UAE to 85/2, winning by 21 runs despite UAE having wickets in hand
Match Analysis
The Hong Kong Sixes format features six-a-side teams with each innings lasting six overs, designed for maximum entertainment and aggressive cricket.Sri Lanka demonstrated their superiority in this high-scoring format by posting 106 runs and then defending it with smart bowling changes and tight fielding.
Sachitha Jayatilake’s explosive innings was the highlight of the match. His 52 runs came at a breathtaking strike rate of 400, showcasing the attacking mindset required in this format. After retiring hurt as per tournament rules (batters retire at 50), his contribution had already put Sri Lanka in a commanding position.
UAE’s chase got off to a terrible start with Saghir Khan falling cheaply. Captain Khalid Shah tried to steady the ship with a measured 23 not out, but it was Nilansh Keswani who gave UAE hope. His counter-attacking 44 off 19 balls kept the required run rate manageable. However, his dismissal in the final over effectively ended UAE’s chances.
The Sri Lankan bowling attack, led by Dhananjaya Lakshan and Nimesh Vimukthi, kept things tight when needed. Both picked up crucial wickets and maintained economical figures in a format where batters usually dominate.
What’s Next
The Hong Kong International Sixes 2025 tournament runs from November 7-9, featuring 12 nations competing in various categories including the Cup, Plate, and Bowl competitions.With the Bowl Final complete, attention now turns to the Plate Final and the main Cup Final, where the tournament’s top teams will battle for the championship title.
Defending champions Sri Lanka entered the tournament aiming to retain their crown after defeating Pakistan in the 2024 final.While they couldn’t progress to the Cup Final this year, their Bowl Final victory demonstrates the depth and fighting spirit within the squad.
For UAE, despite the loss, their journey through the Bowl competition showed promise. Players like Nilansh Keswani and Khalid Shah displayed the talent that can help UAE compete better in future editions of this exciting tournament.