Expectations were very high among the cricket fans around the world about a major upset in the opening game of Asia Cup 2004. Everyone was wondering if Hong Kong, with it's 150 years of cricket history, could surprise everyone. After all, Canada beat Bangladesh in the World Cup 2003 and shocked the whole cricketing world. One thing is for sure, when it comes to Bangladesh, you never can tell!

The day started brightly for Hong Kong. They won the toss, but that is all they could do.

Hong Kong came out as a confident team and put Bangladesh in to bat and the bowlers found swing and bounce right away. As is the case with Bangladesh batsmen, low in confidence and little footwork, almost made it look like they were playing a giant of cricket. Opening bowling pair, Afzaal Haider and Khalid Khan, caused quite a discomfort to the Bangladesh batsmen and found Mohammad Ashraful playing his trade mark rash shot only to be caught at mid-off (10 for 1).

Habibul Bashar played his usual aggressive innings and Man of the Match Javed Omar dug in as if his life is at stake (68 off 113 balls). The two together put on 85 runs partnership and the pressure was on Hong Kong by now.

Najeeb Aamer made sure Bhashar doesn't take the match too far away and made him sweep to square leg (95 for 2). Many a times we have seen the famous Bangladesh collapse. And this time the middle order lived up to it's reputation.

There was no easy runs and the next 3 batsmen engaged themselves in a suicide mission. Bangladesh were 174-7 when Mohammad Rafique was bowled for three by off-spinner Alex French but Khaled Mahmud (26) and Khaled Mashud (22) pulled themselves together to see the total past 200. Somehow Bangladesh ended up scoring 221 for 9 off 50 overs. 

Hong Kong came to bat with renewed hope that an upset is in the horizon. But soon they found Mushfiqur Rahman and Tapash Baisya very hostile and hot to handle. Mushfiqur found Manoj Cheruparambil's stumps quite easily (1 for 2). Next, Alex French was very generous to scoop an easy catch to the bowler Mushfiqur (2 for 15).
Tim Smart tried to be very smart and killed 17 valuable overs for a mere 9 runs. While he was at it, his team mates did their best to undo it. Tabarak Dar made 20 runs, but only four other batsmen reached double figures and an eighth wicket partnership of 29 between Gul (16) and Sher Lama proved to be the highest of the innings. And Hong Kong innings came to an end at 105.

Slow left-armer Abdur Razzak Raj, in his debut match for Bangladesh picked up 3 for 17 and enjoyed quite a good day out in the field.
The match was all lost for Hong Kong halfway through the overs, but they can take pride in the fact that they didn't let Bangladesh take them very easy. But in the end, their inexperience showed through and Bangladesh won the match by a massive 116 runs.