The third match of Asia Cup 2025 will be played between Bangladesh and Hong Kong on Thursday. Bangladesh will be eyeing a strong start against Hong Kong. Bangladesh will be looking to give Hong Kong a 'second wound' in the tournament.

The Bangladesh team will start its campaign in Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi against Hong Kong, which was badly defeated by Afghanistan in the first match. Afghanistan defeated Hong Kong by 94 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup. In response to Afghanistan's 188 runs for six wickets, Hong Kong's team could only score 94 runs for nine wickets. Only two of its batsmen could reach double figures and its weak batting will once again be under pressure.

Its bowlers will also have to perform better.

On the other hand, Bangladesh's team would like to make a strong start before the tough group stage matches against Sri Lanka (September 13) and Afghanistan (September 16). Bangladesh reached the final in 2012, 2016 and 2018 but each time it had to face defeat against giants like India and Sri Lanka. Liton Das will captain the team, for whom this is the fifth Asia Cup but will play as a full-time captain for the first time. His presence as a wicketkeeper and batsman gives stability to the team. Nurul Hasan has also returned to the team after three years, which has increased the options for batting and wicketkeeping.

Tauhid Hridaya gives aggression to the middle order while Mustafizur Rahman has variety in the death overs. The form of Tanjim Hasan Sakib, who handles the new ball, is an added bonus. Bangladesh has defeated Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Netherlands in the last three series. Liton said on Tuesday at the trophy unveiling ceremony, "We have not won the championship yet but that is a thing of the past. There will be many challenges here which will not be easy but our focus will be on performing better as a team.'' The match will start at 8 pm.

Bangladesh: Liton Das (captain), Tanjid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hasan, Tauheed Hridaya, Zakir Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mehdi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shariful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin.

Hong Kong: Yasim Mortaza (captain), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Nizakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrullah Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Mark Challu, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Atiq Ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Ali Hasan, Shahid Wasif, Gazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Wahid, Ehsan Khan.