10:22pm That will be a wrap from us. Three days and three clinical wins for the usual suspects. Tomorrow, Pakistan will be at it against Oman, and they will hope for a similar outcome. Until then, from everyone here at ESPNcrincinfo, it is goodbye. Take care, folks!
Litton Das, the Bangladesh captain is also the Player of the Match: Very important to win the first game. Last couple of series, we have played good cricket. But in Asia Cup, little bit of pressure comes automatically (smiles). We played well today. Last couple of years, our pace department has done really well. We were looking for a leg-spinner and Rishad, in the last two or three years (has done well for Bangladesh). (On the pitch) It was not easy to hit every ball, the ground is big so you have to play ones and twos.
Yasim Murtaza, Hong Kong captain: I am happy with the way our batters scored. But I will be happier if we got 160-170 plus - that would be a different total. (On his run-out) These things happen, so I don't mind. Once we go back, we know which area we need to work on and hopefully we do better next time. We gave too many freebies (against Afghanistan). Today, we came with the plan and this is what we implemented. They (Litton and Hridoy) had a good partnership and that is why the game ended on their side.
10:06pm Not quite the fireworks India produced in their chase yesterday, but this was still a professional display by Bangladesh. They lost their openers during the powerplay but Litton and Hridoy steadied the ship thereafter. There were moments when the latter struggled to time the ball, but Litton grew into his innings, eventually finishing with a 39-ball 59 that truly knocked the stuffing out of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong, it must be said, put in a spirited performance with the ball and in the field. Iqbal was the standout bowler, with Aizaz also not shabby. But they just did not have enough runs on the board to truly put Bangladesh under pressure and once Litton and Hridoy started building a partnership, Hong Kong were left playing catch-up.
Jaker on strike
Litton Das b Ateeq Iqbal 59 (67m 39b 6x4 1x6) SR: 151.28
Just two more needed now. Iqbal to bowl. Keeper up to the stumps
END OF OVER:17 | 4 Runs | BAN: 142/2 (2 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.35, RRR: 0.66)
- Towhid Hridoy34 (34b)
- Litton Das59 (38b)
- Ehsan Khan3-0-28-0
- Yasim Murtaza4-0-39-0
Bangladesh one hit away from a clinical win. Ehsan to bowl what could be the final over of this game
END OF OVER:16 | 16 Runs | BAN: 138/2 (6 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 8.62, RRR: 1.50)
- Towhid Hridoy32 (30b)
- Litton Das57 (36b)
- Yasim Murtaza4-0-39-0
- Ehsan Khan2-0-24-0
Litton has put in plenty of hard yards tonight, running all these twos. He is, in fact, almost on his haunches now and trying to suck in as much oxygen as possible
