BAN vs HK – Bangladesh will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a Group B encounter against Hong Kong at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Thursday, September 11th. The Tigers, led by the experienced Liton Das, will be eager to assert their dominance early in the tournament against a Hong Kong side that has already had a taste of the competition.
For Bangladesh, this marks their opening match in the T20 format of the Asia Cup, a crucial tournament in the build-up to the next ICC T20 World Cup. They come into the tournament with a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising young talent, aiming for a strong showing. Hong Kong, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat in their opening fixture against Afghanistan. Having already played a match on the same ground, they will hope their familiarity with the conditions gives them an edge.
BAN vs HK Match Details
BAN vs HK Head to Head
In the sparse history of T20 encounters between these two nations, Hong Kong holds a surprising and memorable advantage. They have met only once in a T20 International, during the 2014 ICC World T20. In a thrilling low-scoring affair, Hong Kong chased down Bangladesh’s total of 108 with just two balls to spare, securing a historic 2-wicket victory. While this remains their only meeting, it serves as a reminder that in the unpredictable world of T20 cricket, past records can often be defied.
BAN vs HK Pitch Report: Sheikh Zayed Stadium
The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium is renowned for its balanced nature, offering something for both batsmen and bowlers. The surface is generally true, allowing batsmen to play their strokes with confidence, especially in the initial stages. Fast bowlers can expect some assistance with the new ball, particularly under lights.
As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing the spinners into play. The larger boundaries also mean that hitting sixes requires significant power, and batsmen will have to be clever with their placement to find the gaps. With dew being a potential factor in the evening, the team winning the toss might prefer to bowl first and have a clear target in sight for the chase. A competitive total would be in the range of 160-170.
BAN vs HK Weather Report
The weather in Abu Dhabi on the evening of September 11th is expected to be clear and warm, typical for this time of year in the UAE. There is virtually no chance of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted contest. The temperature will likely be in the low to mid-30s Celsius at the start of play, with humidity levels being a factor for the players to contend with. A gentle breeze is expected, which might offer some respite.
BAN vs HK Squads
Bangladesh (BAN): Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Saif Hassan, Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Liton Das (WK)(C), Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan (WK), Shamim Patwari, Mohammad Parvez Hossain-Emon, Rishad Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Tanvir Islam, Jaker Ali (WK), Tanzid Hasan, Tanzim Sakib.
Hong Kong (HK): Ehsan Khan, Kinchit Shah, Waqas Barkat, Nasrulla Rana, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Aizaz Khan, Zeeshan Ali (WK), Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Yasim Murtaza (C), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Anshuman Rath, Martin Coetzee, Benny Paras Singh, Kalhan Marc Challu.
BAN vs HK Possible Playing11
Bangladesh (BAN): Tanzid Hasan, Liton Das (c & wk), Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Patwari, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.
Hong Kong (HK): Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Nizakat Khan, Babar Hayat, Yasim Murtaza (c), Zeeshan Ali (wk), Kinchit Shah, Aizaz Khan, Ehsan Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ghazanfar Mohammad.
BAN vs HK Match Prediction
Bangladesh enters this contest as the overwhelming favorite. Their squad boasts a wealth of international experience and a formidable bowling attack led by the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed. Their batting lineup, with Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy at its core, has the capability to post and chase down significant totals.
Hong Kong, while spirited, will need a monumental effort to challenge the Tigers. Their batting heavily relies on experienced campaigners like Babar Hayat and Anshuman Rath, who will need to fire on all cylinders. Their bowling attack, though disciplined, may find it challenging to contain the aggressive Bangladeshi batsmen.
Given the disparity in experience and skill, Bangladesh is expected to secure a comfortable victory to get their Asia Cup campaign off to a winning start. Hong Kong’s best chance lies in an exceptional collective performance and capitalizing on any complacency from their opponents.
Prediction: Bangladesh to win.
