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Bangladesh enter the Asia Cup in strong form, having won three consecutive T20I series. Their campaign kicks off in Abu Dhabi with a Group B clash against Hong Kong. The Tigers will lean on a potent pace attack and a batting unit that has recently embraced six-hitting.

Still, Bangladesh won’t forget the 2014 T20 World Cup, when Hong Kong stunned them by two wickets in Chittagong. Two players from that famous win remain in Hong Kong’s ranks, though since then they’ve played just 11 matches against Full Member nations. That lack of exposure showed in their tournament opener against Afghanistan, where their medium pacers leaked runs before the spinners briefly checked the flow. Afghanistan still posted 188, and Hong Kong’s reply was a meagre 94 for 9, with Babar Hayat left stranded.

Bangladesh will look to strike early, having built consistency with the ball inside the first ten overs. Taskin Ahmed leads the pace battery, supported by Mustafizur Rahman at the death and young Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Mahedi Hasan’s powerplay overs and Rishad Hossain’s legspin add variety. With the bat, openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon will set the tone, while Shamim Hossain and Jaker Ali provide firepower in the death overs.

Team news
Bangladesh are expected to field three pacers and two spinners in a balanced XI.

Bangladesh XI (probable): Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

Hong Kong may turn to Martin Coetzee or Anas Khan to bolster their batting.

Hong Kong XI (probable): Zeeshan Ali (wk), Anshy Rath, Babar Hayat, Nizakat Khan, Kalhan Challu, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Aizaz Khan, Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan.