Asia Cup 2025: Litton Das Leads Bangladesh to Comfortable Win Over Hong Kong.

Bangladesh began their campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 with a dominant seven-wicket win over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, playing their first T20I match at the ground. Though the scoreboard suggested an easy chase, the game also presented challenges, momentum shifts and learning points for both sides.

Toss & Team Strategy: Bangladesh Opt to Bowl

Bangladesh captain Liton Das went ahead and decided to bowl first. His reasoning was simple—the conditions in Abu Dhabi were unfamiliar, and he wanted his bowlers to get a feel for the pitch early on.

Bangladesh fielded three fast bowlers (Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman) and two spinners (Mehidy Hasan and Rishad Hossain). On the other hand, Hong Kong captain Yassim Murtaza was happy to bat first despite losing the toss, and backed the same XI that lost to Afghanistan in the tournament opener.

Hong Kong’s Innings: Nizakat and Zeeshan Stabilize, But No Big Finish

Hong Kong, who were bowled out for just 94 against Afghanistan, showed more patience this time. However, they had a poor start again as Tanzim Hasan Sakib bowled fast with the new ball. He dismissed Babar Hayat with a late inswinger and later dismissed Zeeshan Ali (30) with a rising delivery.

• Nizakat Khan (42 off 38) played a captain’s knock, anchoring the innings.

• Zeeshan Ali supported him well with a steady 30.

• The pair added a valuable 41-run stand for the third wicket, ensuring Hong Kong didn’t collapse like last time.

A late cameo from skipper Yasim Murtaza (28 off 19) threatened to push the score past 150, but a mix-up with Nizakat led to his run-out — Hong Kong’s 47th run-out in T20Is since 2023! That moment stalled their momentum completely.

Bangladesh bowlers, especially Rishad Hussain, were very sharp in the death overs. The leg-spinner dismissed Nizakat and Kinchit Shah on consecutive balls in the 19th over. Mustafizur kept the runs going till the end and Hong Kong scored a respectable 143/7 in 20 overs.

Top bowlers for Bangladesh:

• Tanzim Hasan Sakib – 2/21 (fast, fiery, accurate)

• Rishad Hossain – 2/31 (crucial strikes late)

• Taskin Ahmed – 2/38 (expensive but effective)

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Asia Cup 2025: Bangladesh’s Chase: Litton & Hridoy Seal the Game

Chasing a target of 144, Bangladesh got off to an aggressive start. Parvez Hossain Emon (19 off 13 balls) took the attack to the wicket early but was dismissed while trying to clear midwicket.

Soon after, Tanzid Hasan edged one to Nizakat, leaving Bangladesh at 33/2 in the 6th over.

That’s when Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy came together.

Their partnership was a masterclass in calculated batting — no reckless slogging, just smart cricket:

• They rotated strike brilliantly, running as many as 11 twos between them.

• Boundaries dried up in overs 8–12, but they kept the required rate under control.

• Litton shifted gears in the 13th over, smashing two boundaries off Ayush Shukla.

Litton’s innings was a captain’s knock: 59 off 39 balls (6 fours, 1 six) at a strike rate of 151.28. He fell just before the finish, bowled trying to hit big with only two runs needed. But by then, the game was already sealed.

Towhid Hridoy (35 off 36)* played the perfect anchor, ensuring no panic in the chase. Bangladesh crossed the line in 17.4 overs, winning by seven wickets with 14 balls to spare.

Asia Cup 2025: Key Moments of the Match

1. Sakib’s opening spell – His swing and pace rattled Hong Kong’s top order.

2. Run-out of Yasim Murtaza – Killed Hong Kong’s momentum just when they looked set for a flourish.

3. Litton-Hridoy’s 95-run stand – The partnership that broke Hong Kong’s hopes.

4. Bangladesh’s first T20I win in Abu Dhabi – A small but significant milestone for the Tigers.

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What This Win Means for Bangladesh

It was a professional start to the Asia Cup campaign. Liton showed leadership both with the bat and in strategic decisions. The bowlers delivered in patches, but Bangladesh will know they need sharper finishing against stronger opponents.

For Hong Kong, the improvement from the match against Afghanistan is encouraging. Their batting looked solid, and their fielding was also much better (no dropped catches this time). However, conceding 17 extra runs is an issue they need to rectify quickly.

Asia Cup 2025: Final Scorecard Summary

Hong Kong: 143/7 in 20 overs

• Nizakat Khan 42 (38), Zeeshan Ali 30 (30), Yasim Murtaza 28 (19)

• Tanzim Sakib 2/21, Rishad Hossain 2/31, Taskin Ahmed 2/38

Bangladesh: 144/3 in 17.4 overs

• Litton Das 59 (39), Towhid Hridoy 35* (36), Parvez Hossain Emon 19 (13)

• Ateeq Iqbal 2/14

Result: Bangladesh won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Litton Das

Conclusion Asia Cup 2025:

Bangladesh performed decently in their first match of the Asia Cup. Though a win against Hong Kong was expected, the manner of victory—determined, controlled and led by the captain—will give them confidence ahead of tougher challenges.

For Hong Kong, it was a step forward, but they still await their first Asia Cup win.

Cricket fans will now look forward to Bangladesh’s next game to see if they can maintain this balance of aggression and smart cricket.

Asia Cup 2025 fixtures blog/page

ICC official site for Asia Cup updates.