Towhid Hridoy On Bangladesh's Controlled Approach (Source: @ICC/x.com)
Bangladesh started their Asia Cup 2025 on a high note, registering a dominating 7-wicket victory over Hong Kong. After a fiery bowling display, the batters stole the spotlight, turning the match in their favor and giving the team an early boost in the tournament.
Although Bangladesh had the upper hand and could have sealed an early win, the Tigers chose to control the game instead. After the match, Towhid Hridoy emphasized that securing the victory mattered more than rushing for a quick finish while focusing on the run rate.
Hridoy Explains Why Bangladesh Played It Smart, Not Fast
Bangladesh faced Hong Kong in their inaugural match of the Asia Cup 2025, and their players didn’t offend the fans as they delivered an exceptional performance to gain an early advantage in the tournament. Even with a chance to wrap up the match early, the team opted for a controlled approach over a quick win, prioritizing strategy and run rate over haste.
Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy’s game-changing 95-run partnership on the third wicket gave a huge boost to the side. After sealing the win, Hridoy explained why the team chose a controlled approach instead of a fiery chase.
“We could have finished the game earlier but we stuck to the demand of the situation. Our mentality is to always win. We wanted to ensure that the match doesn't slip away from us. We tried to end the game early but I couldn't connect the ball that well. I think the result is more important than finishing one or two overs earlier," he said.
“I think we played smart cricket. We could have finished two or three overs earlier, but we could have lost one or two more wickets. We must prioritize partnerships. We tried to hit more boundaries, but it didn't happen,” he added.
For Now, Run Rate Can Wait
After Afghanistan crushed Hong Kong by 94 runs in their opener, their run rate soared, putting them atop the Asia Cup 2025 points table. After the last win, Bangladesh is standing in second place. As the top 2 teams will qualify for the Super Four stage, the run rate could be crucial. But with the tournament just beginning, Towhid Hridoy insists on keeping things simple, focusing solely on victories rather than early calculations.
“We want to beat Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, so run-rate isn't what we are worried about at this stage. We don't want to complicate matters so early in the tournament,” he said.
After gaining an early advantage in the tournament with the thrilling win, some of the big games are on the way for him. On September 13, they take on Sri Lanka, followed by a clash with Afghanistan on September 16. With Super Four qualification in sight, the team will aim to maintain its dominance.
