ABU DHABI: Bangladesh captain Litton Das won the toss and elected to bowl first against Hong Kong on Thursday in the third match of Asia Cup 2025 at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
On paper, Bangladesh are clear favourite, but cricket has a funny way of reminding us about old scars. Ask Bangladesh, as they know that from 2014.
Hong Kong, China are making their first appearance against Bangladesh in a major tournament since upsetting them in Chattogram back in 2014, with only Babar Hayat and Nizakat Khan still in the current lineup from that match.
Having been thrashed by Afghanistan in their tournament opener (bowled out for 94 while chasing 188), Hong Kong’s batting lineup looks fragile and their bowlers struggled, particularly in the death overs.
Bangladesh enters the match full of confidence, momentum from recent series wins, a mix of youth and experience, and a balanced bowling attack featuring pace and spin suited to the Abu Dhabi conditions.
Bangladesh Squad
Litton Das (c & wk), Jaker Ali (wk), Nurul Hasan (wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Saif Hassan, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed
Hong Kong Squad
Yasim Murtaza (c), Shahid Wasif (wk), Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Kalhan Challu, Martin Coetzee, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Nizakat Khan, Ali Hassan, Ateeq Iqbal, Ayush Shukla, Ehsan Khan, Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Waheed, Nasrulla Rana
