BAN vs HK Match Preview– Bangladesh will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a firm eye on a comprehensive victory as they take on a Hong Kong side still reeling from a heavy defeat in their tournament opener. The Group B encounter, scheduled for Thursday, September 11th, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, presents a crucial opportunity for the Tigers to assert their authority and gather early momentum in the T20 tournament.
Hong Kong, led by Yasim Murtaza, were handed a sobering 94-run loss by a clinical Afghanistan outfit in the tournament’s opening match. Their batting lineup crumbled under pressure, and their bowlers were taken to the cleaners in the death overs. They will need a significantly improved performance in all departments to challenge a full-member nation like Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh, under the captaincy of Liton Das, this match is the perfect platform to acclimatize to the conditions and fine-tune their combinations before facing tougher opponents in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. While they are the clear favorites, they will be wary of the potential for an upset, especially given Hong Kong’s surprise victory in their only previous T20I encounter back in 2014.
BAN vs HK Match Details
BAN vs HK Head-to-Head
The history between these two sides in T20 Internationals is surprisingly brief and holds a memorable moment for the associate nation. They have faced each other only once, during the 2014 T20 World Cup, where Hong Kong stunned the hosts Bangladesh with a two-wicket victory in a low-scoring thriller. Bangladesh will be keen to set the record straight and avoid any complacency.
BAN vs HK Pitch Report: Sheikh Zayed Stadium
The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is known for its balanced nature. In the initial overs, the new ball tends to come onto the bat nicely, allowing for good stroke play. However, as the innings progresses, the surface can slow down, bringing the spinners into the game. The larger boundaries also mean that hitting sixes requires significant power, and batsmen will need to be clever with their placement and running between the wickets.
In the first match of the tournament at this venue, Afghanistan posted a formidable 188, suggesting that it’s a good batting track. However, Hong Kong’s subsequent collapse highlighted the challenges for new batsmen. Dew can be a factor in night games, often making it slightly easier to chase. The captain winning the toss might be inclined to field first.
BAN vs HK Weather Report
The weather in Abu Dhabi on Thursday is expected to be hot and humid, typical for this time of year. The forecast indicates a clear sky with no chance of rain, ensuring a full, uninterrupted match. Temperatures will likely be in the mid-to-high 30s (Celsius) at the start of play and will cool down as the evening progresses. The humidity could test the fitness levels of the players.
BAN vs HK Squads
Bangladesh (BAN): Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Saif Hassan, Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Liton Das (c & wk), 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): Liton Das (c & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Patwari, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed.
Hong Kong (HK): Anshuman Rath, Nizakat Khan, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (c), Zeeshan Ali (wk), Aizaz Khan, Ehsan Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Ayush Shukla, Ghazanfar Mohammad.
BAN vs HK Match Prediction
Bangladesh enters this contest as the overwhelming favorite. Their experienced lineup, featuring seasoned T20 campaigners, possesses far more depth in both batting and bowling compared to Hong Kong. The pace attack led by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, combined with the spin prowess of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nasum Ahmed, will pose a formidable challenge for a Hong Kong batting unit that showed its fragility against Afghanistan.
Hong Kong’s best chance lies in their senior players like Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, and Nizakat Khan stepping up with the bat. Their bowlers, particularly Ehsan Khan and Ayush Shukla, will need to be exceptionally disciplined to contain the powerful Bangladeshi batting order.
While cricket is a game of uncertainties, a repeat of the 2014 upset seems highly unlikely. Expect Bangladesh to put on a clinical performance and secure a comfortable victory to start their Asia Cup journey on a high.
Prediction: Bangladesh to win.
