Nizakat recalls 2014 upset over Bangladesh, backs Hong Kong’s spin to stifle Tigers again

A decade may have passed but Bangladesh fans may still have bitter memories of one particular defeat at home in 2014. On that night in Chattogram, under the lights of the T20 World Cup, minnows Hong Kong stunned Bangladesh by two wickets, leaving behind one of the most jaw-dropping defeats on record at home for the Tigers. 

One of the key architects of that upset, leg-spinner Nizakat Khan, was at the nets again in Abu Dhabi on Monday, preparing for Hong Kong's Asia Cup T20 opener against Afghanistan at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. After batting twice and taking a breather, the 33-year-old turned to the Bangladeshi journalists watching him and said with a smile: "You're still here? Alright, let's talk."

That single match remains the only meeting between the two nations but it still stings for the Tigers. Back then, Nizakat dismantled Bangladesh's batting with figures of 3-19, combining with Nadim Ahmed (4-21) in a spin partnership that sent the Tigers crashing. The home side were bundled out for 108 before Hong Kong chased it down with two balls to spare.

Recalling the match, Nizakat's face lit up.

"It was very special because we beat Bangladesh in their own backyard. We did really well, especially I did well. Our spinners bowled brilliantly, yes it's a very memorable game. I still remember that Nadim Ahmed and I bowled in tandem, and that partnership caused Bangladesh's collapse."

Time has moved on. None of the players from that 2014 Bangladesh squad are around today. Yet on September 11 in Abu Dhabi, the two sides will meet again..

For Nizakat, belief is still strong.

"Of course, we believe in that. We have players who can win us matches. And T20 is such a format that if someone plays really well for two or three overs, bowls brilliantly, anything can happen. T20 is a fun game, you never know. Our team is very well prepared."

His favorite player, Shakib Al Hasan, is not part of Bangladesh's current side. Still, Nizakat admitted the Tigers remain packed with quality: "world-class players who have been doing well recently."

Even so, Hong Kong's strategy remains unchanged from 2014, using spin to suffocate, then strike.

"Our strength lies in the spin department. We have Murtaza, we have Ehsan Khan. Among the batters, we have Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Aizaz Khan -- players who can turn the match in our favor."