Bangladesh bowlers produced a decent performance in their opening match of the Asia Cup. At the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the Tigers restricted Hong Kong to 143/7 after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. 

Their disciplined bowling display ensured the opposition never gained full momentum throughout their innings, but they failed to bundle out a much less experienced opposition.

Taskin Ahmed provided Bangladesh with a brilliant start, picking up Anshuman Rath for just 5 in the second over. Following this early breakthrough, Babar Hyat and experienced campaigner Zeeshan Ali tried to steady the innings, showing composure against the new ball.

Hyat was the next to depart, cleaned up by Tanzim Sakib for 14 off 12 balls. 

These two early wickets allowed Bangladesh to maintain control through the power play, as Hong Kong could only manage 34/2 in the first six overs.

Sakib struck again in the 12th over, dismissing the already well-set Zeeshan for 30 off 35 balls. 

However, much of the credit for this spectacular dismissal went to Mustafizur Rahman, who sprinted back to his left from mid-wicket and completed a brilliant over-the-shoulder catch.

Despite losing Zeeshan, Hong Kong’s innings continued to tick along, with Nizakat Khan and Yasim Murtaza attempting to build a platform for a late flourish. 

Murtaza’s promising cameo ended with a run-out, curbing the team’s momentum. He had contributed a well-crafted 28 off 19 balls.

The responsibility of delivering a strong finish then fell on Nizakat, who had already faced 35 balls by that point. However, he was unable to accelerate the scoring when it mattered most, and was dismissed at a crucial juncture by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain for 40 off 42 balls. 

Rishad followed this by removing Kinchit Shah on the very next ball in the 19th over, delivering a crucial double strike.

Rishad’s timely double blow ensured that Bangladesh maintained complete control over Hong Kong’s innings.

In the final over, Taskin Ahmed bowled out Aizaz Khan for 5, keeping the opposition well under 150 and securing a manageable target for the Tigers.

Tanzim Sakib, Rishad Hossain, and Taskin Ahmed each claimed two wickets, while experienced campaigners Mustafizur Rahman and vice-captain Shak Mahedi remained wicketless.