Overview:
Bangladesh’s spin attack is perhaps the weakest among the big guns in this Asia Cup. In their group, both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka boast more quality.
Coming into the Asia Cup 2025, the Bangladesh cricket team will be in an upbeat mood. The Litton Das-led Bangladesh side defeated the Netherlands 2-0 at home recently. In July, they downed Pakistan 2-1 at home as well. Just before beating Pakistan, the Tigers lost 2-1 against Sri Lanka away.
One gets the feeling that this side is growing in confidence and could be value for money ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026.
The Asia Cup 2025 will start from September 9, with Bangladesh opening their campaign against Hong Kong on September 11.
The Asia Cup final will be played on September 28. The UAE will host the coveted tournament, which is in the T20I format. This is the 17th edition of the Asia Cup and only the third time it’s being played in the T20I format.
The last time the Asia Cup was held in the T20I format, Sri Lanka won the tournament, defeating Pakistan in the final.
The tournament sees a total of eight teams being divided into two groups, with Bangladesh placed in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The top 2 teams will reach the Super 4.
Bangladesh will have their task cut out, given they need to face both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan and eke out results with a win over Hong Kong guaranteed on paper to say the least. Both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are playing a strong brand of cricket, so it will be a challenge.
Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, we decode the strengths, weaknesses and analysis of the Bangladesh side.
Bangladesh’s squad for Asia Cup
Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Shaif Uddin.
Strengths of Bangladesh
The bowling unit of Bangladesh has a sense of comfort. It’s a packed unit and there are specialists in the mix.
The pace department, in particular, is a notable aspect. Mustafizur Rahman leads the show for his side. He is currently the 2nd-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in T20Is with 142 scalps to show at 20.84. The left-arm seamer has picked 365 wickets overall in T20s at an impressive 21.41.
Taskin Ahmed will be an able support for Fizz. The 30-year-old owns 94 T20I wickets at 21.93 and is in form of late. Overall, he has 242 T20 wickets.
Shoriful Islam can fill in as the 3rd pacer. In 52 matches, he has 58 scalps for the Tigers. Overall, the pacer has bagged 164 wickets in T20s.
Tanzim Hasan Sakib lends his credibility. The 22-year-old owns 94 T20 wickets, with 36 of them coming for the Tigers in T20Is.
All-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin can be considered as the 5th pacer. In 42 matches, he owns 46 scalps.
With the bat, Litton leads the show. Recently, he became the 2nd-highest scorer for the Tigers in a bilateral T20I series. He achieved the feat against the Netherlands. Litton, who is his side’s 3rd-highest T20I scorer, owns 2437 runs at 23.66. He has 14 fifties.
Supporting Litton are the able duo of Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali. With over 900 runs, Hridoy has gained experience and averages 25-plus. Meanwhile, Ali averages over 28 and is an able contributor in that middle order.
Parvez Hossein Emon and Tanzid Hasan have been backed by the management lately. The two openers have decent numbers to show and need to build on the same to lay the foundation for Litton & Co. to come in.
Saif Hassan at number 4 is a crucial figure. He is new to the T20I scheme of things, but has fared well.
Weaknesses of the Bangladesh side
Bangladesh’s spin attack is perhaps the weakest among the big guns in this Asia Cup. In their group, both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka boast more quality. 30-year-old Mahedi Hasan is their lead spinner. However, consistency in terms of picking wickets can be an issue. Rishad Hossain is decent with 48 scalps under his belt at 22.95. However, he picked just one wicket from his last 4 T20Is.
Earlier this year, when Bangladesh toured Pakistan, he was ripped apart by hosts and ended up with an economy rate of 12-plus in each of those matches.
Nasum Ahmed is the backup spinner for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh will likely go in with three frontline pacers and two main spinners, with Saif Hassan filling in as the 6th bowler if required.
Somehow, the spin show isn’t as attractive as the pace department.
Strike rate is an issue for Bangladesh batters. Emon is the only player with a strike rate of 130-plus in this current side. Bangladesh expect Jaker and Mahedi to be the finishers. However, their SR read 127.09 and 110.25, respectively. This is below international standards.
Bangladesh will struggle if opposition teams end up scoring quality runs, given that both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have strong bowling units to keep the Tigers at bay.
Bangladesh also lack depth in batting, and that’s a concern.
Predicted starting XI of Bangladesh
Parven Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain.
Players to watch out for
Litton Das: His impact and presence will be massive. Das has done well of late, and a lot will be riding on his shoulders. Overseeing wins over Pakistan and the Netherlands will hand him a booster. However, he needs other players to step up for the team’s cause and deliver.
Verdict: Bangladesh will miss out on Super 4
Bangladesh lack the cutting edge, given their spin department isn’t that strong and is perhaps the weakest among the big guns. Batting is a concern as well, with strike rate being an issue. Can they come out and dictate to the Afghan and Lankan bowlers? This could be tricky on the surfaces in the UAE. Bangladesh are likely to miss out on Super 4 with AFG and SL better equipped.
Schedule of Bangladesh in the Asia Cup
11 September – Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
13 September – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
16 September – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
All matches will start at 8:00 pm IST.