Asia Cup 2022: Bangladesh predicted playing XI

Team Bangladesh is set to face Afghanistan in their first encounter of the 2022 T20 Asia Cup to be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, on August 30 (Tuesday). Their second match will be against Sri Lanka which will be played in Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 1 (Thursday).

Bangladesh will be led by their senior all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and will want to put on a solid show in the tournament. The team management has already announced a strong-looking squad for the Asia Cup and they will look to give their best to make history. On that note, let us take a look at team Bangladesh’s probable playing XI:

Openers – Anamul Haque and Sabbir Rahman

Batter Anamul Haque is expected to open the innings for the Bangladeshi side and they will look to provide a solid start in the innings during the field restrictions. Both batters look to dominate the game and can become very dangerous for the opposition side once they get set.

While Anamul has represented his country in the white-ball games recently, Sabbir has not played for Bangladesh for quite some time. However, he was named ahead of another opening batter Soumya Sarkar and is likely to open the innings for his side in the all-important tournament.

Middle Order – Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain

Bangladesh has a strong and experienced middle-order with the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah capable of building the innings and then looking to change their gears towards the end part of an innings. Talented batter Afif Hossain can also be a handy finisher and he has shown his ability in the international arena previously.

Talking more about Rahim and Mahmudullah, the senior batters have remained an integral part of the Bangladesh white-ball squad and have been match-winners with the bat. Apart from their batting, both senior players will also be helping skipper Shakib in the field placement among other things.

All-rounders – Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mosaddek Hossain

Bangladesh team management named Shakib Al Hasan to lead their team in the all-important tournament and he will be a key player with both bat and ball. The left-handed batter might be batting at the prominent number three spot and will play the 20-overs and help his side to post a big total.

With the ball, Shakib can become very dangerous if the pitch is providing some assistance to the slow bowlers. The left-arm spinner can also bowl with the new ball and look to stem the flow of runs in the field restrictions. Meanwhile, Mosaddek Hossain can also play a crucial role with the ball. The right-handed batter can also play an anchor role if his team suffers a top-order collapse.

Bowlers – Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin

Bangladesh pace trio including Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Mohammad Saifuddin will play a key role if Bangladesh are to win the tournament. Taskin along with the left-arm pacer Rahman are expected to share the new ball and try to take a few early wickets.

Saifuddin can play a crucial role in the death overs as he can bowl the yorkers on a consistent basis. Saifuddin also has pace in his bowling which can come in handy to hurry the batters in playing their shots. Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan was excellent against Zimbabwe in a recently concluded T20I series and he is expected to retain his place in the playing XI.

Bangladesh Probable Playing XI: 

Anamul Haque, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin.