BAN vs HKG, 3rd T20I Highlights – Bangladesh have opened their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style at Abu Dhabi by chasing down the target of 144 runs, losing only three wickets. Liton Das led the team with a brilliant knock of 59 runs.
Group B pool is already taking shape as Hong Kong suffers another setback, this time at the hands of the three-time Asia Cup runners-up, Bangladesh. It was another one-sided contest, as Bangladesh’s balanced bowling and steady batting did not give Hong Kong any chance to make a comeback.
The toss was won by Bangladesh, and captain Litton Das chose to bowl first since he was not fully aware of the pitch conditions at the pitch. He said that Bangladesh were going in with a combination of three seamers, two spinners, and six batters. On the other hand, despite losing the toss, Hong Kong’s captain, Yasim Murtaza, was happy because he wanted to bat first on the surface, as he was confident and was fully aware of the pitch moments.
First Innings – Hong Kong 143/7 (20 overs)
Hong Kong came into bat first and found themselves under pressure very early as Taskin Ahmed gave the breakthrough with the new ball, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib bowled Babar Hayat shortly after he had hit a six. By the end of the powerplay, Hong Kong had 34/2, with the opener, Zeeshan Ali, having problems with rhythm.
Middle overs were a bit of relief to Hong Kong when Zeeshan Ali slightly retaliated with some boundaries against Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan, but Tanzim struck back to cut his innings. Then came Captain Yasim Murtaza and attempted to go all the way with a couple of sixes and got his side above 100. Nonetheless, the bowlers of Bangladesh maintained their composure at the death as Mustafizur and Rishad got key wickets. Hong Kong closed at 143/7 – a total which appeared to be competitive but not imposing, though late.
Second Innings – Bangladesh 144/3 (17.4 overs)
The pursuit by Bangladesh started on a quick note on which Parvez Hossain smashed early boundaries and a six, but his attacking habit cost him his wicket. A few of the extras and misfields of Hong Kong kept the Tigers on target, though Ateeq Iqbal scored in the powerplay to take Tanzid off. Nevertheless, at 51/2 after six overs, Bangladesh was already in control.
This was followed by the middle stage of skipper Litton Das, who relaxed into his innings and then started to pick up boundaries in the 14th over. Towhid Hridoy struck steadily, making a turn and keeping up the pursuance. Litton scored his fifty in style with a six and a four off Yasim Murtaza, but he fell late, but the target was already in sight. Hridoy completed his work unscathed on 35, with Bangladesh having scored 144/3 in 17.4 overs to complete a convincing seven-wicket victory.
