Bangladesh began their chase positively but lost both openers in the first six overs, finishing the powerplay on 51 for 2 in their Asia Cup match against Hong Kong on 11 September.
Tanzid Hasan fell for 14 off 18 balls when Hong Kong’s Nizakat Khan took a superb catch. The left-hander attempted to chip medium-pacer Ateeq Iqbal over mid-off, but Nizakat tracked the ball over his shoulder and plucked it out in a remarkable piece of fielding. This came after Hong Kong had been sharper in the field compared to their last outing, where they dropped multiple catches.
Earlier, opener Parvez Hossain had been dismissed for 24, caught by Ayush Shukla. Parvez had two balls earlier hit his 23rd international T20 six of 2025, equalling Tanzid Hasan’s record for most sixes by a Bangladeshi in a single T20I.
Despite the early losses, Bangladesh’s run rate remained healthy at 8.50, thanks to Emon’s brisk start and some unforced extras from Hong Kong, including 11 wides so far. The side added 9 runs in the first over bowled by Ayush Shukla, with Parvez hitting consecutive fours. In the second over, Ateeq Iqbal kept things tight, conceding just 4 runs, including one wide.
Bangladesh claim late flurry of wickets as Hong Kong set 144
Hong Kong finished their innings on 143 for 7, setting Bangladesh a target of 144 in their in their Asia Cup encounter on 11 September. Nizakat Khan top-scored with 42 off 40 balls.
The final five overs saw a dramatic collapse for Hong Kong. In the 19th over, Bangladesh struck three times in just four deliveries. Rishad Hossain dismissed Nizakat Khan and Kinchit Shah in quick succession, while on the second ball of the 20th over, Jaker Ali caught Ejaz Khan off Taskin Ahmed’s bowling. This left Hong Kong seven down at 136.
Earlier in the 19th over, Nizakat had hit Rishad for a six, but the leg-spinner immediately turned the tables. He trapped Nizakat off Tanzim Hasan’s delivery, with the catch taken by Tanzim, and then sent Kinchit Shah back lbw on the very next ball, leaving Hong Kong in deep trouble at 134 for 6.
After the third wicket fell at 71, Nizakat Khan and captain Yasir Murtaza had added 46 runs together. Murtaza, who scored 28 off 19 balls, was run out attempting a quick single, bringing Hong Kong’s fourth wicket down at 117. Mustafizur Rahman had bowled four overs in the middle period without taking a wicket, conceding 23 runs.
Hong Kong had earlier crossed the 100-run mark in the 16th over, courtesy of a six from captain Yasir Murtaza off Mehedi Hasan. After 15 overs, the visitors were 101 for 3, with both Murtaza and Nizakat on 21.
Hong Kong recover in middle overs with five to go
Hong Kong steadied their innings after early setbacks and crossed the 100-run mark in their T20 clash against Bangladesh on 11 September. Captain Yasir Murtaza brought up the milestone with a six off Mehedi Hasan, leaving Hong Kong on 101 for 3 after 15 overs. Murtaza had scored 21 off 13 balls, while Nizakat Khan was also on 21 from 27 deliveries.
Tanzim Hasan, who had been introduced in the powerplay, finished his four-over spell with figures of 2 for 21. His disciplined bowling had kept Bangladesh in the hunt, despite Hong Kong gradually rebuilding. After 14 overs, Hong Kong were 89 for 3.
Bangladesh’s fielding came into play in the 12th over when Zishan Ali edged a ball from Tanzim Hasan. The catch, taken brilliantly by Mustafizur Rahman running in from midwicket, ended a 41-run third-wicket partnership. Zishan had scored 30 off 34 deliveries. At that stage, Hong Kong were 73 for 3, with captain Murtaza joining Nizakat Khan at the crease.
By the halfway point of the innings, after 10 overs, Hong Kong were 64 for 2. Following early losses of two wickets for 30 runs, Zishan Ali and Nizakat Khan stitched together a 34-run stand. Zishan was on 24, with Nizakat contributing 12 runs.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain had a mixed middle session. In his first over, he conceded just 3 runs, maintaining pressure similar to Mustafizur Rahman. However, in his second over, the ninth of the innings, he went for 13 runs, including a six and a four, with Zishan scoring 11 and Nizakat 2 off the over.
Despite losing early wickets, Hong Kong gradually recovered through calculated batting in the middle overs. With five overs remaining in the innings, the onus was on Yasir Murtaza and Nizakat Khan to accelerate while keeping wickets intact.
Taskin and Tanzim strikes leave Hong Kong 34/2 in powerplay
Hong Kong finished the powerplay on 34 for 2 after a disciplined opening burst from Bangladesh’s bowlers in their T20 World Cup qualifier clash on 11 September.
Captain Litton Das trusted Mahedi Hasan with the first over, and the off-spinner conceded only 2 runs. Bangladesh nearly had an early breakthrough when Zishan Ali was struck on the pads, but the umpire’s call went in the batter’s favour.
Taskin Ahmed opened with a no-ball for overstepping but hit back almost immediately. With his third legal delivery, he had Anshuman Rath caught behind by Liton. Bangladesh needed a review to overturn the on-field decision, with UltraEdge confirming a faint edge. Rath departed for 7, leaving Hong Kong 13 for 1 after 2 overs.
Despite the wicket, Taskin’s over proved expensive, costing 11 runs. The dismissal was Taskin’s 95th wicket in T20 internationals.
Litton introduced Tanzim Hasan in the third over, and the young pacer kept things tight, giving away just 3 runs. At the fall of Rath’s wicket, Babar Hayat had joined Nizakat Khan. Between them, the pair are the only Hong Kong batters with over 2,000 T20I runs.
Taskin returned for his second over but again proved expensive, conceding 8 runs. Hong Kong reached 24 for 1 after 4 overs, with Bangladesh searching for another breakthrough.
The second breakthrough came in the fifth over. Tanzim Hasan delivered a peach that uprooted Babar Hayat’s stumps, reducing Hong Kong to 30 for 2. Nizakat Khan was joined at the crease by the new batter.
Mustafizur Rahman was introduced in the sixth over and continued the pressure, giving away only 3 runs. His spell ensured that Hong Kong closed the powerplay on 34 for 2, with both Nizakat and the new batter looking to rebuild.
This is only the second T20I meeting between the two sides. Eleven years ago, Hong Kong shocked Bangladesh in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Chattogram, chasing down 109 with two balls to spare.
Bangladesh opt to bowl first against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi
Bangladesh captain Litton Das called correctly at the toss and chose to bowl first against Hong Kong in their Asia Cup encounter on Thursday evening.
Explaining his decision, Litton said this is Bangladesh’s first match of the tournament and the team wanted to assess the conditions before setting a target. “We have been playing well in the last three series, but this is a new one and we need to give our hundred per cent in every game,” he remarked. He also pointed out the lack of warm-up matches and stressed the need to adapt quickly.
Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza, who had called tails, admitted he would have preferred to bat first anyway and looked cheerful despite losing the toss. “There were a few mistakes by the batters the other day. If we do not repeat those, we can put up a good score,” he said. Hong Kong have named an unchanged side.
The pitch, according to analysts Bazid Khan and Russel Arnold, is expected to play true despite visible cracks. It is a used surface, dry with some scars, but with watering and rolling the ball should slide on. Batters will need to apply themselves, hit through the line, and make smart use of the short boundaries.
Bangladesh go into the game buoyed by three consecutive T20I series wins, while Hong Kong are looking to bounce back from their heavy opening-night defeat.
Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.
Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Kalhan Challu, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan.
