Bangladesh starts Asia Cup by defeating Hong Kong

The goal is very big. But for that, it is necessary to achieve small goals first. Starting with a win against Hong Kong was part of it. Bangladesh has achieved that goal. They have started their Asia Cup journey by defeating the 24th ranked team by 7 wickets with 14 balls in hand.

Bangladesh won the toss and fielded first. Hong Kong scored 143 runs for 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Nizakat Khan scored the highest 42 runs for the team. Yassim Mortaza added 28 runs with him. Three bowlers of Bangladesh got equal success. Taskin Ahmed, Tanjim Hasan and Rishad Hossain took 2 wickets each.

In reply, Parvez Hossain Emon started the batting well. He returned in the fourth over after hitting two sixes and scored 19 runs. Then Tanjid Hasan Tamim was also out quickly. However, captain Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy led the team to victory by putting up a big partnership for the third wicket.

Liton became the second highest run-scorer in international T20s, surpassing Mahmudullah, after hitting Yassim Mortaza for a four in the seventh over. Then, he hit a six off the first ball of the 16th over to set the record for the most sixes for Bangladesh. His tally of sixes stood at 78, leaving Mahmudullah behind. Liton played a great innings but could not bring the team back to victory. He was out with just 2 runs remaining to win. He was bowled for 59 runs off 39 balls. However, his innings had already ensured the team's victory.

In the end, Towhid Hridoy finished the match unbeaten. He hit a four off the fourth ball of the 18th over to win the match. This young batsman made a big contribution to Bangladesh's victory. Bangladesh therefore started this year's Asia Cup journey with a convincing victory by 7 wickets with 14 balls in hand.