Ripon Mondol and Akbar Ali shine as Bangladesh 'A' ease past Hong Kong
Bangladesh, having won the toss and electing to bowl, restricted Hong Kong to a manageable 150 runs in 20 overs.
Bangladesh 'A' kicked off their Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 campaign with a dominant five-wicket victory over Hong Kong-China in the opening match at Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman.
Captain Akbar Ali played a pivotal role, smashing 45 runs off just 24 balls to ensure his team chased down the target with 10 balls to spare.
This year marks the first time the Emerging Asia Cup is being held in the T20 format. Bangladesh, having won the toss and electing to bowl, restricted Hong Kong to a manageable 150 runs in 20 overs, thanks to a fiery spell from pace bowler Ripon Mondol. Mondol's devastating figures of 4 wickets for 24 runs rattled Hong Kong's batting order, leaving Bangladesh in control early on.
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Chasing 151 for victory, Bangladesh got off to a quick start, scoring 14 runs in the first over. However, the openers failed to capitalise on this momentum, with Jishan Alam falling for 11 off 11 balls, leaving Bangladesh at 32-1 after 5 overs. Parvez Hossain Emon, though set, could only add 28 runs from 17 balls, including two sixes and a four.
The team faced a setback when Saif Hasan was dismissed for a first-ball duck, but captain Akbar Ali's explosive knock turned the tide. Ali hammered 21 runs off a single over from Yasir Mortaza, seizing control of the chase. Tawhid Hridoy also played a useful hand, scoring 29 off 22 balls, including a towering six that helped Bangladesh cross 100 runs, before being trapped LBW.
With Ali in fine form, Bangladesh comfortably reached the target, ending on 153-5 in 18.2 overs. Shamim Patowary added an unbeaten 19 to see his side home.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Hong Kong struggled early as Ripon Mondol's pace reduced them to 9-2 in the third over. A 65-run stand between captain Nizakat Khan and Babar Hayat steadied the innings before Nizakat fell for 25. Hayat, however, continued his aggressive form, scoring 85 off 61 balls with 7 sixes and just 2 boundaries. His innings ensured Hong Kong posted a competitive total, scoring 65 runs in the last five overs to finish at 150-4.
Bangladesh 'A' will now face Afghanistan on 20 october, followed by a match against Sri Lanka on 22 october, as they look to build on their strong start to the tournament.
