Bangladesh made an underwhelming start after opting to bat first against Afghanistan in their Asia Cup opener at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE today.

Bangladesh T20I captain Shakib Al Hasan is going to play his 100th T20I match when the Tigers face Afghanistan in their Asia Cup opener in Sharjah tonight.

All eyes will be on Bangladesh Test and T20I skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Afghanistan's master leg-spinner Rashid Khan as the two sides face each other in tonight's Asia Cup encounter at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. 

Both India and Pakistan were fined for slow over rates during the Asia Cup 2022 game in Dubai on Saturday. Both teams failed to complete their overs in the stipulated time and were forced to field an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle.

Bangladesh cricket team’s newly hired technical consultant, Sridharan Sriram, heaped praises on the Bangladesh Test and T20I captain Shakib Al Hasan.   

Many may point out Bangladesh’s weaknesses in the T20 format to be the lack of power hitting ability alongside their fragile top order, but one should also not forget that the Tigers spin-bowling department could prove to be decisive behind their success in the ongoing Asia Cup.

The Bangladesh team have played three finals in the last four editions of the Asia Cup. This time the Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan hopes for a new champion outside of India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka.

“They won everything except the Cup! Beware world, Bangladesh is the new terror!” The great Brian Lara had thusly cautioned the world through Facebook after Bangladesh’s agonising two-run defeat against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup final.

Premier all-rounder and Bangladesh Test and T20I captain, Shakib Al Hasan, has been chosen as Bangla Tigers’ Icon Player for the forthcoming season of The Abu Dhabi T10.

Whether on the field or off it, Shakib Al Hasan has remained the biggest attraction in Bangladesh cricket for his unconventionally bold attitude over the years.

Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson admits to being in awe of Shakib Al Hasan and says the Bangladesh star can thrive as captain and dominate the Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup.

Shakib Al Hasan revealed that after taking over the challenge of captaining the Bangladesh T20I side, what was going through the back of his mind was that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, Nazmul Hassan Papon, was going to keep him under pressure.

Buzzwords are never too far from the lips of Bangladesh players and officials whenever a series is on the horizon.

Bangladesh Test and T20I skipper Shakib Al Hasan today jokingly said that media and the fans, in general, do not know about his practice routine precisely as he usually refrains from posting his training videos on social media.

Striking performances were hardly on display in the practice game played among the members of the Bangladesh Asia Cup squad at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today. However, what stood out was how Shakib Al Hasan transmitted specific instructions towards the players on the day.

Bangladesh T20I skipper Shakib Al Hasan said that the Tigers would need a fresh start in the shortest format and for that, a process would be required that will allow the T20 outfit to improve gradually.

But there were not many who expected a result in line with ‘fundamental principles’. Past experiences had led to a different story when it came to handling disciplinary issues surrounding the country’s most celebrated cricketer.

The Shakib Al Hasan-issue has been the talk of the town lately. The cricketer signed then rescinded a controversial sponsorship deal with betting-related site Betwinner News.

As there are only two specialist openers in Bangladesh’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup squad, the Tigers’ team management, according to Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon, may even opt for Mushfiqur Rahim or skipper Shakib Al Hasan in the opening slot in case of injuries and emergencies. 

With the tension between Shakib Al Hasan and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) coming to an end with the all-rounder handed the T20 captaincy on Saturday, the focus finally turns to preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup tournament, slated to begin from August 27 at the UAE. The newly appointed T20 skipper appeared at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur yesterday, looking to retrieve some intensity.