After nearly two years of transition, Bangladesh arrive at the 2025 Asia Cup with a largely settled squad and the momentum of three consecutive T20I series wins, reports Cricbuzz.
The UAE hasn't traditionally been a happy hunting ground for them - despite the similarity in conditions back home - and their biggest challenge now is to convert that recent confidence into tangible success in a multi-nation tournament - perhaps even the first trophy after three previous runner-up finishes in the continental championship.
Bangladesh's struggle for consistency in the batting department was well documented during this transitional phase. Since Tamim Iqbal's exit, they experimented with 28 different opening combinations involving 17 players - the most by any Full Member side in the period. However, over their last nine T20Is, they appear to have settled on Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon, with promising results. Emon, only the second T20I centurion for Bangladesh, has particularly injected urgency into the PowerPlay - a phase the team had routinely underperformed in since the last T20 World Cup.
Their shift toward a more T20-centric batting approach - as opposed to the conventional methods - was evident in the hiring of power-hitting specialist Julian Wood. His appointment speaks not just to Bangladesh's ambitions in this Asia Cup, but also to the longer-term goal of building a competitive side for the T20 World Cup. Under their new trainer, Bangladesh also held an intense month-long camp with a larger probables squad that focussed majorly on the physical fitness of players given the heat and humidity expected in UAE.
Bowling, inarguably, remains Bangladesh's strongest suit been in good form since the 2024 World Cup and will be central to their campaign. Their spin attack is equally well-rounded, with all bases covered - offspinner Mahedi Hasan and legspinner Rishad Hossain (both with 19 wickets each) bring control and bite, while the recently recalled left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed adds variety and depth to their attack.
Landing on a bankable opening pair has eased a lot of nerves for the team management. Emon's firepower and Litton's consistency bodes well for Bangladesh, even though Towhid Hridoy's runs have dried up since the back-to-back fifties against Sri Lanka in ODIs. Bangladesh have relied on the finishing skills of Jaker Ali and, more recently, Saif Hassan and the duo have not disappointed. As compared to home, the wickets may be a bit drier in Abu Dhabi, where Bangladesh play their group round, but expect them to play to their strengths and field a spin-heavy attack.
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