Bangladesh Faces Hong Kong in Asia Cup Opener: Preview, Squads, and How to Watch Live

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Hong Kong at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, facing a team still recovering from a heavy opening loss to Afghanistan. Hong Kong were dismantled by 94 runs in their first match, managing only 94 for nine while chasing Afghanistan’s 188 for six. With just two batters reaching double figures, their fragile lineup faces another stern test, and their bowlers will need to quickly regroup after being taken apart in the death overs.For Bangladesh, the match presents an ideal opportunity to start the tournament on a strong note and build momentum before tougher group-stage encounters against Sri Lanka on September 13 and Afghanistan on September 16. Historically, Bangladesh’s Asia Cup journey has been a tale of near misses—they have reached the final three times (2012, 2016, and 2018) but have fallen short each time against established sides like India and Sri Lanka.Litton Das will lead the team for his fifth Asia Cup appearance, but his first as full-time captain in a major continental tournament. Serving as both wicketkeeper and batter, he provides a stabilizing presence. The squad blends experience with youthful energy, featuring Nurul Hasan’s return after nearly three years, offering depth in both batting and keeping. Middle-order aggressor Towhid Hridoy, death-over specialist Mustafizur Rahman, and emerging new-ball bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib further strengthen Bangladesh’s balanced attack.Bangladesh arrive in the UAE on the back of strong form, having won three consecutive series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Yet, the weight of past disappointments lingers, with the team eager to convert potential into silverware on the continental stage.Bangladesh and Hong Kong have met only once before, in the 2014 T20 World Cup, where Hong Kong pulled off a surprise win.Date: September 11Time: 8:00 PM IST / 6:30 PM local timeTV: Sony Sports NetworkLive Streaming: SonyLivBangladesh: Litton Das (C, WK), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad SaifuddinHong Kong: Yasim Murtaza (C), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, Ehsan Khan