Can Tigers roar to Asia Cup title in 2025?

From the streets of Dhaka to cricket's biggest stage, Bangladesh have written one of cricket's most inspiring stories. Over the years, the Bangladesh have become popular, especially in the Asia Cup Men's Cricket Tournament. This year's Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 09. All competing countries have already announced their teams for the tournament. After Pakistan and India, Bangladesh also announced a 16-member team for the Asia Cup recently, report agencies.
Let's analyse Bangladesh's winning chances in the Asia Cup 2025.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selection panel chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu felt that they should be positive and logical at the same time about their aspiration for the upcoming Asia Cup.
"Our emotions are involved in cricket. When you are emotional, you always have to be positive," Ashraf said while explaining about the squad they announced for the Netherlands series and Asia Cup.
"From that place of emotion and positive thinking, I also hope that Bangladesh will be the champion (of the Asia Cup)." "However, we have to analyze the data and think logically, where we stand, how easy or difficult the path is to achieve that. Because there are so many challenges involved."
Bangladesh played Asia Cup final thrice in 2012, 2016 and 2018 but the trophy eluded them always. This is an achievement for them as they have become runners-up three times.
In 2012, Bangladesh reached their first final after defeating India and Sri Lanka in the group stage. The final against Pakistan was heartbreaking - they lost by just 2 runs. This was their closest chance of winning the Asia Cup.
In 2016, Bangladesh played the final at home in Dhaka against India. The whole country was hoping for their first Asia Cup win, but India won by 8 wickets.
In 2018, Bangladesh again reached the final against India. This match was very close and went to the final over. India won by 3 wickets. Bangladesh was so close to winning but missed the opportunity again.
Looking at the group stage matches, the Bangladesh National Cricket Team has to play three matches. They must win two of them to reach the Super 4 stage. India and Pakistan are not part of this group, which may be beneficial for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh have more experience than Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Group B. Bangladesh has made the finals three times and played more matches. Hong Kong should be an easy win for them.
The matches against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will decide if they can top the group. If they can make the Super 4 stage and go further, this could be their chance to play with teams like India and Pakistan. Bangladesh has emerged as a strong team, and they have learned from their previous final defeats.
"The Bangladesh team has the experience of playing in the Asia Cup final in the past. And I believe Bangladesh has a chance to play in the final this time too," Ashraf, also the former Bangladesh skipper added.
However, he also advised to play calculative cricket, rather than being emotional. According to him, everyone in the Asia Cup will play hard cricket. Ashraf noted that Bangladesh had recently beat Sri Lanka in a T20 series, that too on Lankan den.
"We also have the experience of beating Afghanistan in a major tournament. So we know how to beat Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, who are in our group," he said.
"I don't think it should be tough for us to play the final. I think we have the chance to make a statement. Because, if we can do well here, we'll be able to give the rest of the world a message about our ability."