Asia Cup 2025: Towhid Hridoy Defends Bangladesh’s Measured Approach in Win Over Hong Kong

Bangladesh began their Asia Cup 2025 journey on a winning note, securing a seven-wicket victory over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, September 11. While some fans felt the Tigers could have chased the target more aggressively, Towhid Hridoy defended the team’s steady approach, stressing the importance of partnerships and ensuring victory in tournament openers.

Hridoy on Bangladesh’s Approach

Speaking after the match, Hridoy, who remained unbeaten on 35 off 36 deliveries, explained why the team chose not to rush the chase.

“We could have finished the game earlier, but we stuck to the demands of the situation. Our mentality is to always win. We wanted to ensure that the match doesn’t slip away from us. I think the result is more important than finishing one or two overs earlier,” he said at the post-match press conference.

He further added that run rate is not Bangladesh’s immediate concern, despite finishing with a net run rate of +1.001, compared to Afghanistan’s +4.700.

“We want to beat Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, so run-rate isn’t what we are worried about at this stage. We must prioritize partnerships. We tried to hit more boundaries, but it didn’t happen. I think we played smart cricket,” Hridoy said.

Litton Das, Hridoy Lead the Charge

Bangladesh’s innings got off to a shaky start with Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon dismissed cheaply. However, a vital 95-run partnership between Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy steadied the chase.

• Litton Das played a fluent innings of 59 runs from 39 balls, striking boundaries to ease the pressure.
• Hridoy anchored the chase with his unbeaten 35, ensuring stability.

Together, the pair guided Bangladesh to their target of 144 with 16 balls to spare, finishing at 147/3.

What’s Next for Bangladesh?

Bangladesh will now turn their focus to their second group-stage clash against Sri Lanka, scheduled for Saturday, September 13, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. With tougher tests ahead, including a meeting with Afghanistan, the Tigers will look to carry forward their confidence from the opening win

Also Read : India vs UAE Asia Cup 2025: Expected Win with Unseen Twists in Dubai

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