Bangladesh ‘A’ delivered a scintillating all-round performance to register an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Hong Kong, China in their first match in the ongoing Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Doha on Saturday.

Chasing 168, Bangladesh reached the target in just 11 overs, showcasing a dominant display of power-hitting and disciplined bowling.

Opting to bat first, Hong Kong, China struggled to maintain momentum as Bangladesh’s bowlers kept tight control. Ripon Mondol and SM Meherob Hasan struck early, claiming two wickets each and keeping the opposition under constant pressure. Babar Hayat’s 63 off 49 and captain Yasim Murtaza’s 40 off 22 were the only significant contributions, while a costly final over by Abu Hider Rony, conceding 26 runs, pushed Hong Kong, China to 167.

In response, opener Habibur Rahman Sohan produced a record-breaking innings, smashing an unbeaten 100 off just 35 balls with 8 fours and 10 sixes. His assault began immediately, hitting three sixes off the first over, followed by three fours and a six in the next. Two more sixes in the third over took him to a 14-ball fifty, breaking Shuvagata Hom’s national record. He then punished Ehsan Khan and Ateeq to surge to 88 off just 24 balls, then completing his maiden T20 century in the 11th over, surpassing Parvez Hossain Emon’s 42-ball record set in 2020.

Captain Akbar Ali joined him to add an unbeaten 41 off 13 balls, including six sixes, finishing the match with five consecutive sixes in the final over.