Asia Cup: Bangladesh kick-off campaign with win over Hong Kong, Litton Das shines with half-century | Cricket News

Bangladesh pulled off a 7-wicket win against Hong Kong on Thursday (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) Bangladesh began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a seven-wicket win over Hong Kong on Thursday, producing a balanced performance with both ball and bat to secure victory with 14 balls to spare. Asked to bowl first, Litton Das’s side put Hong Kong under pressure early. Taskin Ahmed removed opener Anshuman Rath for four, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib followed up with the dismissal of Babar Hayat, bowling him for 14 just after he had struck a straight six. With both openers back in the pavilion, Hong Kong stumbled to 34 for two inside the powerplay. Zeeshan Ali (30 off 34) tried to stabilise the innings, striking a six over extra cover off Rishad Hossain, but he too fell before the 12th over, edging Mustafizur Rahman. Captain Yasim Murtaza injected some momentum with a 19-ball 28, highlighted by a pick-up shot off Tanzim that cleared the ropes, but Bangladesh’s attack remained disciplined. Rishad (2/31), Tanzim (2/21) and Taskin (2/38) kept the scoring rate in check, and Hong Kong eventually managed 143 for seven in their 20 overs. In reply, Bangladesh lost Parvez Hossain Emon for 19 after a brisk start but Litton Das anchored the chase with a composed half-century. Runs dried up briefly after the powerplay, with Bangladesh enduring a 33-ball stretch without a boundary. However, Das broke the shackles with a slog-swept six off Murtaza before raising his fifty with a couple. That over alone fetched 16 runs, shifting the momentum firmly in Bangladesh’s favour. Das’s 59 off 39 balls, with his classy strokeplay on display, set the platform for Towhid Hridoy to close out the chase. Hridoy remained unbeaten on 35 off 36 deliveries, adding 95 runs with his captain for the third wicket. Das fell before the finish, but Hridoy hit the winning run to complete the win in 17.4 overs. The result handed Hong Kong their second straight defeat in the tournament, while Bangladesh started their campaign on a convincing note under the leadership of Litton Das.

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Brief scores: Hong Kong 143/7 in 20 overs (Nizakat Khan 42, Zeeshan Ali 30; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 2/21, Rishad Hossain 2/31, Taskin Ahmed 2/38). Bangladesh 144/3 in 17.4 overs (Litton Das 59, Towhid Hridoy 35*).