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- Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2025 Highlights: Litton Das stars as Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by seven wickets
Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2025 Highlights: Litton Das stars as Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by seven wickets
Electing to bowl first, Litton Das’s men dominated from the outset. While spinner Mahedi Hasan began proceedings, it was the pace duo of Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib that made early inroads. Taskin dismissed opener Anshuman Rath for 4, and Tanzim bowled Babar Hayat shortly after, rattling Hong Kong’s top order.
Zeeshan Ali fought back with a steady 30 off 34 balls, while skipper Yasim Murtaza chipped in with 28 off 19, including a standout six off Tanzim. However, regular breakthroughs and Bangladesh’s disciplined attack kept Hong Kong to a modest 143 for seven.
Chasing 144, Bangladesh endured a brief slowdown after Parvez Hossain Emon’s 19-run cameo, going 33 balls without a boundary. But skipper Litton Das held firm, crafting a well-paced 59 off 39 balls. His calculated acceleration in the 15th over against Murtaza shifted momentum firmly in Bangladesh’s favour.
Partnering with Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35, Das put on a decisive 95-run stand for the third wicket. Though he fell short of finishing the game, Hridoy sealed victory in 17.4 overs, capping off a professional all-round display from Bangladesh.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Babar Hayat, OUT! BOWLED! A perfect response from Tanzim right after conceding a six! A huge wicket for Bangladesh! Sakib spots Babar advancing down the track, but this time, he spears in a fuller-length delivery, on middle, with a hint of an away shape. Babar Hayat has charged down, and looks to flick it across the line, but the ball curves away to beat the outside edge. Hears the death rattle behind him as the ball makes an absolute mess of the sticks. Babar Hayat departs for 14 (12) and Hong Kong, China are 30/2.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Babar Hayat, SIX! Gets the timing alright this time around, does Babar! The first six of the evening! On the back of a length, on middle. Tanzim Hasan Sakib reads the length very early and charges down the track. Flat bats it and effortlessly sails it over long on for a six.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Babar Hayat, Hard length, outside off, Babar Hayat presses ahead and knocks it straight to the point fielder.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Babar Hayat, Good length, jagging back in a long way. Babar Hayat swings across but misses to connect.
- Zeeshan Ali 5 (12)
- Babar Hayat 8 (8)
Taskin Ahmed to Zeeshan Ali, Again, not quite timed well! Fuller than the previous ball, outside off, Zeeshan Ali lofts it over mid off, but off the toe end. The ball again loses its steam on the way to the ropes and is chased by the fielder from the inner ring. Two taken. Taskin Ahmed's figures read 2-0-19-1 so far. Oh, hang on. Zeeshan Ali, while trying to turn around for the second run, didn't tap the bat inside the popping crease at the non-striker's end. The side-on replay confirms the same as well. Hence, it is deemed a short run.
Taskin Ahmed to Babar Hayat, Intent! But the ball doesn't go the distance, or the ropes. Heavy ball, short and outside off. Babar Hayat skips down the track and slashes hard at it. Hits off the toe end and clears the inner ring, over cover-point. The fielder from the circle chases it down as the ball just plugs into the grass in the deep. The batters cross each other thrice.
Taskin Ahmed to Babar Hayat, Back of a length, on top of middle, at 137.6 kph. Babar Hayat stays leg side, waits for it to arrive, and taps it out to the off side.
Taskin Ahmed to Babar Hayat, In the air... lands safe! Fuller delivery, outside off, Babar creates room for himself by backing away, and tries to loft it over extra cover. Gets no timing on that but manages to clear the in-field for a couple of runs.
Taskin Ahmed to Zeeshan Ali, Jags in from off, on a length, nudged through square leg for a single.
Taskin Ahmed to Babar Hayat, Good length, outside off, cutting away a bit. Babar plays at it, and gets a thick outside edge and the ball runs behind to deep third for one.
- Zeeshan Ali 3 (10)
- Babar Hayat 2 (4)
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Zeeshan Ali, Banged short and on the bodyline. Zeeshan Ali ducks under it to leave. Just three from Sakib's opener.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Zeeshan Ali, Big swing and a miss! Zeeshan backs away to smash it over the in-field on the off side, but Sakib slams the deck hard, outside off. Zeeshan Ali only manages to connect a handful of air. A steely stare from Tanzim to the batter.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Zeeshan Ali, Touch full in length, on the stumps, nipping back in. Zeeshan Ali flicks it over mid-wicket and scampers back for the second run.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Babar Hayat, Full and on middle and leg, pushed to the left of mid on for a single.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Babar Hayat, A run out chance, missed! Back of a length, on middle and leg. Babar Hayat tucks it to mid on. Zeeshan Ali is already halfway through for a single, but Tawhid Hridoy dives to his left and releases an underarm throw to the bowler's end. All three stumps to aim at, but he misses. Probably he could have taken a second or two to load his aim as Zeeshan was way out by a country mile.
Pace in tandem now. Here's Tanzim Hasan Sakib replacing Mahedi Hasan.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib to Babar Hayat, BEAUTY! How about that for a start? This just takes off from the good length, outside off, and nips away after landing on the seam. Babar Hayat hangs his bat away from the body, and is beaten past the outside edge.
- Zeeshan Ali 1 (7)
- Babar Hayat 1 (1)
Taskin Ahmed to Zeeshan Ali, Back of a length, on off, Zeeshan Ali gets behind it and bunts it down the surface. A successful start for Taskin. A wicket off his first over.
Taskin Ahmed to Zeeshan Ali, FIVE WIDES! Oh dear, that's a wild delivery by Taskin! Sprays it way down leg, on a fullish length, nipping down the leg side after pitching. Zeeshan Ali misses to flick and the ball shoots to beat the dive of Litton Das to his left and runs to the deep fine leg fence.
Taskin Ahmed to Zeeshan Ali, Short of a length, outside off, tapped with soft hands to the cover region by Zeeshan.
Taskin Ahmed to Babar Hayat, Off the mark straightaway! Full and outside off, Babar Hayat pushes it to the left of mid off for a quick single.
Babar Hayat is in at 3.
Taskin Ahmed to Anshy Rath, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Smart review from Bangladesh and Taskin Ahmed provides the first breakthrough for Bangladesh. Taskin bowls it in the channel of off, just a bit too full and nipping away after pitching. Anshy Rath with barely any foot movement, tries to drive it straight down the ground, but plays the initial line. The ball passes close to the outside edge. Litton Das dives low to his right and scoops it safely into his gloves. A very confident appeal for caught behind, but the umpire does not entertain! A huge discussion between several Bangladeshi players and Litton Das decides to send this upstairs again. UltraEdge shows a faint spike when the ball is next to the outside edge. Anshy Rath departs on 4 (5) and Hong Kong, China are 7/1.
Taskin Ahmed to Anshy Rath, Fuller now, on middle and off. Anshy Rath prods forward and firmly knocks it back to Taskin.
Taskin Ahmed to Anshy Rath, FOUR! Makes the most out of it. Anshy Rath is off the mark! Outside off, on a good length, Anshy Rath gets enough width and slashes it hard, bisecting the narrow cover and point gap for a cracking boundary.
Taskin Ahmed to Anshy Rath, Uh, oh! A false start for Taskin. No Ball for overstepping. Taskin hurls it outside off, on a hard length. Anshy Rath has a casual poke at it, but misses to connect. Free Hit loading up...
Taskin Ahmed to operate from the far end.
- Zeeshan Ali 1 (5)
- Anshy Rath 0 (1)
Mahedi Hasan to Zeeshan Ali, A bit of yes and no, but no harm done. A fuller-length delivery, drifting and spinning in from off. Zeeshan Ali leans forward and taps it out with soft hands to the cover region. Zeeshan sniffs a single, and is through, but the fielder is quick to get to the ball and that forces Zeeshan to retreat back in time. Tidy start for Hasan. Just 2 singles off it.
Mahedi Hasan to Zeeshan Ali, Tossed up, on a length, onto the pads. Zeeshan Ali hangs back and nudges it to backward square leg.
Mahedi Hasan to Zeeshan Ali, Flatter and quicker, on middle, tucked to short mid-wicket off the back foot.
Mahedi Hasan to Zeeshan Ali, Mahedi dishes out a fuller length, spinning a shy bit into the batter, on middle. Zeeshan Ali switches the stance and tries to employ the reverse sweep, but misses to connect. The ball thuds on the front pad. Huge appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head in denial. Looks worth discussing and Litton Das walks to Mahedi Hasan for a chat. Eventually, they go upstairs to review it. Onto the forensics now. Impact is the key here. UltraEdge detects no spike. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is on the umpire's call. Hence, the on-field decision stays. Bangladesh won't lose their review.
Mahedi Hasan to Anshy Rath, Drifting into the pads, on a fullish length. Anshy Rath misses to sweep and the ball rolls off the front pad, towards backward square leg. They cross for a leg bye.
Mahedi Hasan to Zeeshan Ali, Touch full and pushed through, on off, spinning in. Zeeshan Ali pushes at it on the front foot, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball runs behind to deep third for a single. Hong Kong, China and Zeeshan Ali are off the mark.
Done with all the pre-match formalities and it is now time for the action to commence here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium of Abu Dhabi. It is a lot more humid and warm as compared to the curtain-raiser a couple of moons back. A working day, of course, and the stands are yet to be filled, but still, it is very easy to spot many supporters of the Bangladeshi side. The umpires are already out and walk to the middle. Litton Das leads his men out of the huddle as the Bangladeshi players take their respective fielding positions. Zeeshan Ali and Anshy Rath are the two openers for Hong Kong, China. Bangladesh are beginning with spin as Mahedi Hasan has the new ball. Zeeshan to face. Here we go...
Just a few minutes away from the first ball. But as per the ritual, both sides are walking out, followed by the match officials, for their respective national anthems. It will be Hong Kong, China's first, followed by that of Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold and Bazid Khan are pitchside for their analysis. Russel Arnold expects the pitch to offer a good batting surface, despite some cracks that have developed over the past two days. He believes the ball will slide onto the bat nicely, requiring batters to show application and put pressure on the opposition. Bazid Khan notes that Bangladesh's decision to bowl first aligns with their preferred approach in T20 cricket, considering the venue's unique elements like wind and a large playing surface.
Bangladesh XI: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (w/c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (C/WK), Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman.
Hong Kong, China (Playing XI) - Zeeshan Ali (WK), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Kalhan Challu, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (C), Aizaz Khan, Ehsan Khan, Ayush Shukla, and Ateeq Iqbal.
The captain of Hong Kong, China, Yasim Murtaza, says they would have batted first, so he is happy to get what they wanted to do. Admits they made a few mistakes in the previous game and stresses avoiding those this time around and put on a big score on the board. Informs that they are going unchanged. Ends by saying they are seeing it as a new day, new opportunity.
The captain of Bangladesh, Litton Das, cites the uncertainty of the pitch's behavior in the first game. He emphasizes the need to assess the conditions and bring their A-game, despite playing good cricket in the last three series. Das reveals the team's strategy, opting for three seamers and two spinners alongside six batters. He stresses that every game is important and none can be considered a warm-up, highlighting the team's commitment to giving their best performance.
TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Bangladesh and Litton Das elects to BOWL first.
Hong Kong: Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, Ehsan Khan.
“We haven’t yet had a taste of the championship, but that’s history. History is there to be broken,” he said at the trophy unveiling.
Stressing preparation, Litton added, “We’ve played very good cricket in the recent past and had quite a long camp. I think we’re well prepared. All the teams are strong and it will be challenging, but we’re eager to give our hundred percent.”
His call for composure and intent sets the tone as Bangladesh aim to turn potential into triumph.
Despite promising runs in ICC and ACC tournaments, Bangladesh have struggled to clinch titles.
The upcoming campaign is being framed as a chance to finally break the cycle. Players insist they are not burdened by the past, yet the narrative of missed opportunities lingers. How they handle pressure in crunch games will determine whether this team can rewrite history.
Towhid Hridoy injects aggression into the middle order, while Mustafizur Rahman remains the team’s spearhead with his variations at the death. Tanzim Hasan Sakib, meanwhile, has emerged as a miserly new-ball bowler, further strengthening the attack.
The management believes this mixture of youth and experience adds depth to their lineup. As the competition progresses, Bangladesh’s ability to rotate and rely on multiple match-winners could prove decisive in their pursuit of silverware.
Litton’s calm temperament and ability to anchor innings are seen as assets in high-pressure situations. The Tigers’ management hopes his presence will bring stability and sharpen focus, especially with Bangladesh aiming to make the most of their promising blend of senior experience and youthful flair.
Despite consistent progress and flashes of brilliance, the elusive Asia Cup title continues to evade them.
Fans and players alike view this edition as another chance to change history. The group-stage draw appears manageable, but Bangladesh know that their real test will come later in the competition when they must confront the continent’s strongest and most experienced cricketing sides.
Hong Kong were dismantled by Afghanistan, bowled out for 94 in pursuit of 189. Their batters crumbled with only two reaching double figures, while their bowlers leaked runs at the death.
Against a confident Bangladesh side, Hong Kong will face immense pressure to regroup quickly.
For Bangladesh, this match is an opportunity to start strongly, build momentum, and prepare for tougher group-stage contests against Sri Lanka on September 13 and Afghanistan on September 16.
Opting to bowl first, skipper Litton Das’s side produced a disciplined performance with the ball, restricting Hong Kong to 143 for seven. Taskin Ahmed struck early by dismissing Anshuman Rath, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib removed Babar Hayat with a sharp outswinger.
Despite Zeeshan Ali’s 30 and captain Yasim Murtaza’s brisk 28, Hong Kong struggled to accelerate against Bangladesh’s balanced pace and spin attack.
In the chase, Bangladesh made a solid start through Parvez Hossain Emon before Litton Das anchored the innings with a fluent 59 off 39 balls. He found an able partner in Towhid Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35 as the pair added 95 runs for the third wicket.
The skipper’s aggressive stroke play in the 15th over sealed the contest, with Bangladesh cruising home in 17.4 overs for a comfortable victory.
Match Statistics
Venue
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
