Bangladesh 'A' team beat Hong Kong in the first match of Emerging Asia Cup 2024. Akbar Ali's swashbuckling 45 off 24 balls innings thrashed Hong Kong as Bangladesh 'A' easily claimed two points to top the Group A.

Ripon Mondol picked up 4 wickets to restrict Hong Kong to 150 runs. In reply, Akbar Ali bludgeoned a quick-fire 45 off 24 balls to steer Bangladesh home.

Being inserted to bat first, Ripon Mondol ripped through the Hong Kong's openers and sent them back at the pavilion. After the departure of the openers, captain Nizakat Khan and Babar Hayat took the onus on their shoulders as the duo stitched 63-run partnership before Rabby broke the stand.

But Babar Hayat was smashing the Bangladeshi bowlers ins and outs and blasted a whirlwind 85 off only 65 deliveries to help Hong Kong post a competitive total of 150 runs on the board.

Ripon Mondol was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh as he scalped 4 wickets. While other bowlers chipped in away with one wicket each.

In reply, Bangladesh lost Jishan Alam earlier on. Parvez Hossain Emon, however, gave a gritty start as he made 28 off 26 deliveries. Saif Hasan too departed cheaply and Bangladesh fell in deep trouble.

But Towhid Hridoy and Akbar Ali started hammering the Hong Kong bowlers as the skipper of Bangladesh 'A' team, bludgeoned a sensational 45* off only 24 balls to steer Bangladesh home with 10 balls to spare.