Bengal Tigers Reached Sri Lanka carrying the dreams and aspirations of millions of Bangladesh cricket admirers. Whatever be the controversies in the selection of squad, hope that those will remain buried and team gelling like well oiled machine under the dynamo of the world’s best all rounder Shakib Al Hasan will live up to the expectation in performance and execution. Even without star opener Tamim Iqbal and veteran all rounder Mahmudullah Riad Bengal Tigers are equipped enough skill and talent for challenging the best in the business. In their favored ODI format Bangladesh has experience of winning against all the teams -India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan.
As an independent cricket analyst, it is my considered opinion if Bangladesh can play to their potential, they can not only to advance beyond the preliminary round winning one or both the matches against reigning champions Sri Lanka at Kandy and Afghanistan at Lahore, but also compete well in the group of four where they will find formidable Pakistan and India .But for these very steep challenge Bangladesh has to play consistently well taking one match at a time. In ACC tournament wickets are expected to be sporting.
As such Bangladesh must bat applying themselves to produce around 300 if bat first and then defend with the combination of quality pace and penetrative spinners. There is no reason why younger legs must not field well moving like hungry Royal Bengal Tigers. Every ball bowled and every run scored will be cheered by millions of Bangladesh connected physically or digitally from across the world. It will be huge challenge. But in the past Bangladesh lived up to the challenge and proved many pundits wrong. This is going to be the 15th version of Asia Cup. Bangladesh has never won. 
Bangladesh Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Litton Kumar Das, Mohammad Naim, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Nazmul Hossein Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraj, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Shamim Hossein Patwary and Sheikh Mahedy and Tanzib Hasan Shakib.
Litton Kumar Das could not accompany the team as he is reportedly suffering from fever. He will join soon. The absence of star opening batsman Tamim Iqbal will require openers Litton K Das and possibly rookie Tanzib Hasan Tamim to start well and give the team good opening partnership. Litton unfortunately was not in his prime form. But a quality player should bounce back on time. Nazmul Shanto who was not also in great form in the recent past is also expected to kick off well. Top order must click against quality pace attack or pace -spin combination of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for making the tasks of strong middle order of Hridoy, Shakib and Mushfique to consolidate. In the absence of experienced and proven Mahmudullah Riad the likes of Afif or Sheikh Mahedy must deliver.
Bangladesh team lacks fire power in the late middle order having long tail. Hence two senior professionals Shakib and Mushfique must shoulder greater responsibilities and must not throw away their wickets scoring 30- 40 runs. If they have to move into the group of four Bangladesh batsman have to encounter well Hasharanga, Thakseena , Rashid Khan , Mujeeb like quality spinners . Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is very strong and as defending champions they will leave nothing unturned to deliver killer punch.
Bangladesh starts its Asia Cup mission against reigning champions in their den. Tigers must start well. After the first match Bangladesh flies to Lahore for meeting a well-prepared Afghanistan. They have just played a three matches ODI series against strong Pakistan in Sri Lanka. Afghanistan in the recent past won an ODI series against Bangladesh. But in Asia cup it will be a new match and must win game. Bangladesh pacers must account for Ramanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran early as these two are flamboyant batsmen and are in prolific form. Bangladesh batsmen must also encounter Fazalhaq Farooki, Rashid, Mujeeb and Nabi well.
Finally, to be realistic the challenges are not easy. But these are not unsurmountable. It will be disaster for Bangladesh cricket if they can not advance to the group of four beating one or both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. If they do, they will find two champion potential teams India and Pakistan in front. The three games at that stage will provide great opportunity for not only preparing well for the world cup but also a chance of playing and evening the Asia cup for the first time. Let us keep our fingers crossed and keep hoping against the hope.
BDST: 0844 HRS, AUG 28, 2023
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