Bangladesh midfielder Hamza Choudhury struck twice but could not prevent Nepal from a late 2-2 draw in the one-off FIFA international friendly at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday.
Ananta Tamang鈥檚 stoppage-time equaliser denied the hosts a victory ahead of their forthcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against India.
Despite dominating possession early,聽the hosts went 1-0 down in the in the 29th minute when Nepal defender Rohit Chand scored after a cutback from Sumit Shrestha.
The hosts pressed for an equaliser, with Foysal Ahmed Fahim and Rakib Hossain both testing Nepal鈥檚 veteran goalkeeper and captain Kiran Kumar Limbu, who made a string of key saves to preserve the lead until half-time.
Bangladesh finally broke through in the beginning of the second-half, when Hamza scored a back-volley from Jamal Bhuyan鈥檚 assist following a defensive clearance.聽
The Leicester City midfielder doubled the margin by converting a spot in the 50th minute, after Rakib was brought down in the box by Suman Shrestha.
The brace took Hamza鈥檚 tally to four goals in five international appearances 鈥� all scored on home soil.
England-born midfielder Cuba Mitchell made his debut for Bangladesh when he replaced Hamza in the 80th minute.
It seemed Bangladesh was winning the game before Nepal鈥檚 defender Ananta Tamang scored the equaliser in the third minute of injury time following a corner by substitute midfielder Dinesh Henjan from the left.
The match served as crucial preparation for both teams ahead of their upcoming continental fixtures as Bangladesh host India in their Group C qualifier on November 18, while Nepal travel to Malaysia for their Group D encounter.
The late setback extended Bangladesh鈥檚 winless streak, but coach Javier Cabrera鈥檚 side will take encouragement from the attacking form of Hamza.
