Bangladesh will begin their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a highly anticipated clash against Hong Kong on Thursday, September 11, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. This match marks a crucial start for the Tigers as they look to build momentum in a tournament where they have historically fallen short. The Litton that-led side is the clear favorite for this group stage fixture, but the spirited Hong Kong team, eager to cause an upset, is prepared to challenge them under the evening lights.

Bangladesh’s momentum and star-studded lineup

Led by the in-form wicketkeeper-batter Litton, the Tigers are looking for a strong first outing to set the tone for their title challenge. Bangladesh’s squad is well-balanced, mixing seasoned players with promising youth. The fearless intent that Litton brings to his captaincy, after securing three consecutive T20I series wins, is expected to define this new era. In the batting lineup, Tanzid Hasan and EMON Hosquaine are potential openers, while the team’s bowling attack will be spearheaded by the experienced Mustafizur Rahman. The sheer squad depth and recent form of the Bangladesh team make them the tournament favorite in this contest, but they will be wary of underestimating their determined opponents.

Hong Kong’s underdog spirit and player battles

For the Hong Kong team, this opening match is a massive opportunity to shine against a prominent international team. As an associate nation, they are entering the spotlight with a lot of assurance and will be counting on their recent experience in the UAE to challenge the favorites. The Hong Kong cricket team recently competed in the Asia Cup opener against Afghanistan, where they suffered a massive 94-run defeat. Despite the loss, the team showed flashes of strong individual performances, particularly with veteran batter Babar Hayat scoring 39 and captain Yasim Murtaza making key contributions. The match served as crucial preparation for the underdogs, giving them a firsthand look at the quality of a full member side.

BAN vs HK head-to-head record in T20Is:

• Matches Played: 01 | Bangladesh won: 0 | Hong Kong won: 1 | No results: 0

BAN vs HK, Probable XI of both teams:

Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (C & Wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Saqib, Mustafizur Rahman

Hong Kong: Nizakat Khan, Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Yasim M mottaza (C), Zeeshan Ali (WK), Aizaz Khan, Ehsan Khan, Nasrullla Rana, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Ghazanfar