Bangladesh eye winning start as Asia Cup campaign opens against Hong Kong
NN ONLINE:
Bangladesh begin their Asia Cup campaign tonight in Abu Dhabi with what looks, at least on paper, like the softest assignment in Group B. Their opponents, Hong Kong, were dismantled by Afghanistan in the tournament’s first game and arrive carrying the scars of a 94-run defeat.
Liton Das and his side come in with confidence after three straight T20I series wins. They have embraced a more aggressive batting approach, clearing the ropes with regularity. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon have turned six-hitting into a friendly rivalry, striking 23 and 22 respectively this year. Liton himself has been in prime touch, leading Bangladesh in T20I runs in 2025.
Still, Hong Kong cannot be taken lightly. The memory of 2014, when they stunned Bangladesh in Chattogram during the T20 World Cup, lingers. Two of that side — Babar Hayat and Nizakat Khan — remain in the squad. Hayat top-scored again in the loss to Afghanistan, hitting 39 while others fell around him.
Bangladesh are expected to line up with three quicks and two spinners. Taskin Ahmed leads the seam attack, with Mustafizur Rahman and young Tanzim Hasan Sakib for support. Offspinner Mahedi Hasan has been effective in the powerplay, while legspinner Rishad Hossain offers a wicket-taking option in the middle overs.
Liton has urged his team to play “smart cricket,” not just swing for the stands. Power-hitting coach Julian Wood was drafted in before the tournament, but the captain stressed that reading conditions and situations will matter as much as brute force.
“Every game we have to give our hundred percent, no matter the opponent,” he said on the eve of the match. For Hong Kong, the challenge is to hold their batting together long enough to post a score.
Against Afghanistan they slipped to 27 for 4 in the powerplay and never recovered. Their spinners, especially Yasim Murtaza, managed to slow things briefly, but catching errors cost them dearly. Bangladesh know that beyond the win, net run rate could be crucial with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka also in the group.
Afghanistan’s huge margin in the opening game has set an early marker. A straightforward victory may not be enough — Liton’s side will want to finish the job quickly and emphatically. The match starts at 8:30 p.m. Bangladesh time.