Bangladesh Ends Waiting in Abu Dhabi, beats Hong Kong with Liton’s Stormy Fifty

At Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Bangladesh had often written stories of failure. This time, the Tigers turned the page and made history. With a commanding seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong, Bangladesh not only broke their winless streak at the venue but also avenged the bitter memory of 2014. The triumph gave Liton Das’ side a confidence boost at the start of the Asia Cup.

Finally, Bangladesh tasted victory at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, recording their first-ever win against Hong Kong. In the Asia Cup opener on Thursday, the Tigers beat Hong Kong by seven wickets in a dominant display.

Previously, Bangladesh had played two matches at this venue without tasting success. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, they had suffered defeats against England and South Africa. The loss against Hong Kong in 2014 also lingered as an old wound. This time, Liton’s team settled all accounts in one match.

Chasing a target of 144, Bangladesh got little from the opening stand, so captain Liton Das and Tawhid Hridoy took charge. The opening partnership of Parvez Imon and Tanzid Tamim added just 26 runs. Imon scored 19 off 14 balls, hitting two fours and a six, before falling to Babar Hayat’s simple catch at mid-wicket. Tanzid Tamim lasted 18 balls, scoring 14 before being caught by Nijakat Khan while attempting an aggressive shot.

After the openers’ departures, Liton Das and Tawhid Hridoy took command. Combining aggression with calmness, they forged a superb 95-run partnership.

Liton played a brilliant 59 off 39 balls, including six fours and a six, displaying all the colors of captaincy in his innings. He was eventually bowled by Atik Iqbal, but by then, the match was largely in Bangladesh’s hands.

On the other end, Hridoy remained unbeaten on 35 off 36 balls, striking only one four. He finished the match on the fourth ball of the 18th over with a single to square leg, sealing Bangladesh’s victory. With this win, Bangladesh ended their drought at Abu Dhabi and recorded their first-ever win against Hong Kong.

For Hong Kong, Atik Iqbal took two wickets and Ayush Shukla claimed one.

After winning the toss, Liton Das chose to field, a decision justified by Bangladesh’s bowlers. The Tigers immediately put Hong Kong under pressure.

In the first over, Shaikh Mahedi Hasan conceded just one run. In the next over, Taskin Ahmed caught Anshi Rath (4) behind the stumps. Although 12 runs were conceded in that over, the early breakthrough came courtesy of Taskin.

Jishan Ali and Babar Hayat forged a 23-run partnership, broken by Tanzim Hasan Sakib, with Babar Hayat dismissed for 14. Jishan and Nijakat Khan then built another useful 40-run stand. Jishan scored 30 off 34 balls, including three fours and one six.

Nijakat Khan was even more effective, adding 46 runs with Yasim Mortuza (28 off 19 balls) before being run out by Rishad and Mustafiz. Nijakat eventually fell for 42 off 40 balls to Rishad’s delivery. Quick dismissals followed for Kinchit Shah (0) and Ijaz Khan (5), leaving Hong Kong at 143/7 after 20 overs.

For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain took two wickets each. Taskin Ahmed also claimed two wickets while conceding 38 runs in four overs. Mahedi Hasan and Mustafiz, though wicketless, maintained control with the ball.