Asked to place the latest victory alongside his English FA Cup win with Leicester City, he replied that the significance was incomparable.

From jerseys to flags and food, Bangladesh's international football fixtures have become a thriving ecosystem for small businesses, showing how national pride can ripple through local communities.

Bangladesh’s recent performances against India and other stronger teams, combined with the influx of overseas-based footballers over the past year, have raised public expectations despite the team’s modest global ranking.

On Thursday, all lenses naturally were fixated on Bangladesh star midfielder Hamza Chowdhury, who delivered the shots of a lifetime for any Bangladesh fan -- a spectacular bicycle kick followed by a coolly taken Panenka penalty -- in Bangladesh’s 2-2 draw against Nepal in a FIFA friendly at the National Stadium. As the men in red and green gear up for their high-voltage AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India on November 18 at the very same ground, a buoyant Hamza -- known for scanning the field and sniffing out danger -- was spotted scanning through a different lens altogether, playfully turning into a shutterbug during training. With fans swept up in full-fledged Hamzamania, the Leicester City midfielder, ever cheerful in his jolly demeanour, greeted supporters with smiles, posed for selfies, and even signed a hand-drawn sketch of himself offered by a young fan. Hamza has four goals to his name in five matches for Bangladesh and expectedly, the onus will be on him to spur his team on against India. Photos: Firoz Ahmed  

Bangladesh now turn their focus to the crucial Asian Cup Qualifier against India on November 18, with both players expected to be available barring any setbacks.

The match kicks off at 8:00 pm and will be live telecast on T Sports.

Currently in Bangladesh for the upcoming matches against Nepal and India, Hamza attended a ceremony on Tuesday morning at Robi’s corporate office to officially sign on as the brand ambassador for the private telecom company.

After landing in Dhaka on Monday evening, Bangladesh star midfielder Hamza Choudhury expressed his determination to secure a victory over India in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on November 18.

Bashundhara Kings' young midfielder Cuba Mitchell has earned his maiden call-up to the Bangladesh national football team, after head coach Javier Cabrera added him to the squad at the last moment for the upcoming home matches against Nepal and India.

Captain Jamal Bhuiyan said he would pick himself in the starting eleven against India in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers if he were given the responsibility of head coach.

“Didn’t work out as we’d hoped and worked so hard for! But as always so proud to represent Bangladesh and the team!,” Hamza wrote in a social media post after returning to England from Hong Kong.

Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera has praised the leadership depth within his squad, highlighting the presence of multiple players capable of guiding the team both on and off the pitch.

Bangladesh coach Javier Cabrera finds himself at a defining crossroads, blessed with a momentous opportunity to shape the very future of the country’s football.

For many of the travelling fans, it was a first-of-its-kind adventure.

Hamza Choudhury will lead the midfield along with Sohel Rana Sr, Sohel Rana Jr and Sheikh Morsalin.

Hong Kong, China head coach Ashley Westwood made headlines during Wednesday's pre-match press conference ahead of their Asian Cup Qualifiers clash against Bangladesh, suggesting he would likely bench Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury if he were in his own squad.

Reflecting on the 2-1 defeat to Singapore, he admitted the team “let themselves down” with two sloppy goals and missed chances.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who joined the camp on Monday, said Bangladesh’s strength must come from unity.

Mahama Awal, a Cameroonian-born naturalised forward for Hong Kong, China, is expecting a tough challenge from Bangladesh in front of a packed National Stadium in Dhaka on October 9.

Leicester City's Bangladeshi midfielder Hamza Choudhury reached Dhaka this morning to take part in the national team’s upcoming Asian Cup Qualifying match against Hong Kong, China.