Bangladesh Seek First Win at Sheikh Zayed, Looking to Bury Old Memories

Bangladesh are set to begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Hong Kong, but the importance of this clash goes beyond just securing group stage points. It’s also about healing the wounds of the past and ending their winless run at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

For Hong Kong, the memory of their historic victory in 2014 still inspires belief. For Bangladesh, however, that same game remains a bitter reminder of a shocking defeat, compounded by a poor record at this venue. Standing in the middle of that history, captain Liton Das has struck a balance between realism and confidence: “We have to give our very best, no matter who the opposition is.”

This will be just the second T20I meeting between the two teams. Their first and only encounter came at the 2014 T20 World Cup in Chattogram, where Bangladesh were bowled out for just 108 runs in 16.3 overs. Hong Kong chased down the target with a memorable victory that still lingers as one of Bangladesh’s most painful cricketing memories.

This time, the stage is Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi—a ground where Bangladesh have never won a T20I. In the 2021 World Cup, they suffered heavy defeats to England and South Africa here, including a humiliating collapse to just 84 runs against the Proteas.

With a winless record at this ground and the scars of their previous loss to Hong Kong, the psychological challenge for Bangladesh is significant.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, come into the match carrying that unforgettable 2014 triumph as motivation. With steady growth in T20 cricket and a reputation for fearless play against bigger teams, they remain confident of springing another surprise.

But Bangladesh arrive in strong form. A T20I series win over Sri Lanka away, a home triumph against Pakistan, and a recent victory against the Netherlands in Sylhet have filled the Tigers with confidence.

This momentum gives Liton’s side extra belief. “We’ve played good cricket recently and prepared well for this tournament. Whoever the opponent is, we’ll step on the field with one goal—victory,” the captain affirmed.

Another positive is that conditions in Abu Dhabi are quite similar to those in Sylhet, where Bangladesh played their last series. Factors like dew, the role of spinners, and the heat will be familiar. Liton emphasized: “Conditions won’t be an issue. The heat is the same for everyone, and if there’s dew, both teams will have to adjust. Our job is to give 100% on the field.”

Beyond just winning, the manner of victory could also be crucial, with net run rate potentially decisive later in the tournament. Liton admitted, “Winning by a big margin would be great, but it depends on how well the opposition plays. Our main goal is to win the match, regardless of how it comes.”