Bangladesh Beat Hong Kong In Asia Cup Opener With Litton’s 59

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

Bangladesh began their Asia Cup journey in Abu Dhabi with a much-needed victory against Hong Kong. The team achieved their target of 144 runs and collected the important points they came for. Even though it was not an easy match, Bangladesh managed to hold their nerves and finish the game with 14 balls to spare. This win was special because it was Bangladesh’s first-ever T20 international victory in Abu Dhabi.

Litton Das Leads The Chase

The main hero of Bangladesh’s batting was Litton Das. He scored 59 runs from just 39 balls and gave his team the strength they needed to complete the chase. His batting was not only about big hits but also about clever running between the wickets. He played patiently at the start but then shifted gears to reach his half-century quickly. From being steady in the middle overs, he suddenly became aggressive, hitting boundaries and pushing Hong Kong out of the contest.

Hridoy Stands Strong With Unbeaten Knock

Towhid Hridoy also played a very important role in Bangladesh’s win. He scored 35 runs from 36 balls and remained unbeaten till the end. His calm approach helped Litton to play more freely. Together, Litton and Hridoy built a 95-run partnership for the third wicket, which completely changed the match. Their partnership made sure Bangladesh did not lose control even when boundaries were hard to come by during the middle overs.

Early Wickets Create Tension

The chase did not begin very smoothly for Bangladesh. Parvez Hossain Emon, who started with some quick runs, got out after scoring 19 from 13 balls. He tried to hit a slower ball but ended up being caught at deep midwicket. Soon after, Tanzid Hasan also lost his wicket in the sixth over. With two wickets down in the powerplay, Bangladesh needed a stable partnership, and that is when Litton and Hridoy came together.

Hong Kong Show More Discipline In Fielding

In their previous match against Afghanistan, Hong Kong dropped four catches. This time, they improved their fielding and held onto the catches offered. However, they hurt themselves with too many extras. In total, they gave away 17 runs in extras, including wides and no-balls. These free runs allowed Bangladesh to keep the scoreboard moving easily and reduced the pressure on their batters.

Bangladesh Rely On Quick Running

From the eighth to the twelfth over, Bangladesh struggled to hit boundaries. Hong Kong’s bowlers used spin and medium pace to restrict big shots. But Litton and Hridoy used smart running to keep the chase alive. They ran hard between the wickets, taking many twos and turning singles into doubles. This running not only added to the score but also tired out the fielders and bowlers in the hot Abu Dhabi weather. In total, Bangladesh ran 16 twos, which was one of their highest in a T20 international.

Litton Breaks Free In Style

After conserving energy and playing safe for some overs, Litton decided to attack in the 13th over. He hit two boundaries against Ayush Shukla and lifted his strike rate. By then, the asking rate had become very comfortable. Even though he got out just before the finish, bowled while trying a big shot, his work was already done. His 59 was the match-winning knock Bangladesh needed.

Tanzim Sakib Sets The Tone With The Ball

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh had chosen to bowl first. Young fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib gave them a perfect start. Bowling at speeds of over 140 kmph, he first clean bowled Babar Hayat with a delivery that swung late. Soon after, he dismissed Zeeshan Ali with a short ball that caught the edge and went to cover. He finished with excellent figures of 2 wickets for 21 runs in his four overs. His fiery bowling put Hong Kong under early pressure.

Taskin Ahmed And Spinners Provide Support

Taskin Ahmed was more expensive but still managed to take two important wickets, including one in the powerplay and another in the final overs. Among the spinners, Rishad Hossain had a mixed day. At first, Hong Kong batters attacked him with sweeps and reverse sweeps, but he fought back strongly. In the 19th over, he dismissed Nizakat Khan and trapped Kinchit Shah lbw in consecutive balls, turning the game in Bangladesh’s favor once again.

Hong Kong Improve From Previous Game

Even though Hong Kong lost, their batting performance was far better compared to their first match against Afghanistan, where they managed only 94 runs. This time, they scored 143 for 7. Nizakat Khan played a steady knock of 42, while Zeeshan Ali added 30. Captain Yasim Murtaza brought energy with a quick 28 from 19 balls. Their partnerships ensured that Hong Kong did not collapse like before.

Run-Out Hurts Hong Kong Momentum

At a crucial stage, captain Murtaza and Nizakat were building momentum with quick runs. However, a miscommunication led to Murtaza being run out. This was a huge setback because he looked in good touch and was scoring quickly. After his dismissal, Hong Kong struggled to hit big shots and lost their rhythm. The run-out was another example of Hong Kong’s poor record in running between wickets.

Bangladesh Keep Control At The Death

In the final overs, Bangladesh’s bowlers kept Hong Kong in check. Mustafizur Rahman bowled with accuracy and variations, making it difficult to score boundaries. Spinners supported him well, and Hong Kong could not finish strongly. Even though they scored 54 runs in the last six overs, they still ended with a total that was not enough against Bangladesh’s batting strength.

First T20I Win In Abu Dhabi For Bangladesh

This match was historic for Bangladesh because it was their first T20I win in Abu Dhabi. For a team that has often struggled in this format, the victory gave them confidence at the start of their Asia Cup journey. The players showed discipline in bowling, determination in batting, and excellent teamwork.

Hong Kong Still Searching For A Win

For Hong Kong, the wait for a win in Asia Cup matches continues. Although they played better than in their first game, they could not match Bangladesh’s quality. Their fielding improved, but extras, a costly run-out, and lack of power hitting made the difference. Still, they will take positives from this match as they managed to compete more closely.

A Balanced Start For Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s campaign has started with a win, but the team knows they have areas to improve. Their top-order needs more consistency, and they will hope for fewer mistakes in future matches. However, the strong bowling from Tanzim, the partnership between Litton and Hridoy, and the overall team spirit are good signs for the rest of the tournament.

Bangladesh cricket win, Hong Kong struggle, Asia Cup opener