Bangladesh with a better second half display defeated Bhutan 61-49 in the opening match of Dhaka Bank  FIBA Asia Cup-2021 South Asian zone pre-qualifier at Dhanmondi Basketball Gymnasium in the capital. The visiting team gave a tough fight in the pre-breather session when they were just trailing by four (35-31) points.

Bangladesh will play their second match today against Sri Lanka at 5pm. Nepal and Maldives are the other two participating teams.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder inaugurated the championship as chief guest. Bangladesh Olympic Association secretary General Syed Shahed Reza was present as special guest. Bangladesh Basketball Federation president Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin and general secretary A H Sarker Bhaya were also present.