Defending champions Bangladesh made a flying start in the Men鈥檚 AHF Cup 2025 as they beat Kazakhstan 5-1 in their Pool B match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on Friday.
Ashraful Islam scored a brace, while Naim Uddin, Rakibul Hasan, and Shohanur Rahman Sabuj each contributed one goal for the fourth consecutive title winners in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2022.
After the barren first quarter, Ashraful gave Bangladesh the lead in the 24th minute by scoring from a penalty corner only to see Agymtay Duisengazy annul the lead six minutes later by scoring from penalty corner.
Bangladesh scored three more goals in the third quarter as Naim scored a penalty corner goal in the 38th minute before Rakibul scored a field goal in the next minute and Sabuj added once in the 44th minute from penalty corner.
Ashraful completed his brace by converting a penalty stroke in the 59th minute.
Bangladesh will play their next game against hosts Indonesia on Sunday before facing Thailand and Sri Lanka on April 22 and 23, respectively.
Chinese Taipei, Oman, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan and Singapore are pitted in Pool A.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to play the semi-finals on April 25 before the final on April 27.