A assured Bangladesh’s captain Shakib Al Hasan predicted a brand new champion for the upcoming Asia Cup, to be held from Aug.27, 2022 within the UAE.
A complete of six groups — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka — will battle it out for the highest honours on the Asia Cup.
India are essentially the most profitable crew within the historical past of the Asia Cup, having gained seven titles in 1984, 1988, 1990-91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018. Sri Lanka have clinched the title 5 occasions in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008 and 2014 whereas Pakistan had the honour to put down their arms on the trophy in 2000, 2012.
By predicting a brand new champions, Shakib additionally hinted at Bangladesh’s possibilities of lifting the trophy as Afghanistan and Hong Kong are below canine and regarded as perennial makeweights nonetheless.
“I feel we’re going to have a brand new champion this time round. We’re additionally assured of beating any crew on a given day. We’ll wish to set the tone for the event by profitable the primary match,” mentioned Shakib.
“When you begin a event on a profitable be aware it turns into simpler to hold on the momentum. We’re paired with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. All of the groups are very robust and you can not perceive any crew.
“Even Afghanistan are able to springing a shock or two. So we aren’t going to be complacent and can play each match as a must-win recreation.
“On the similar time, I’m assured of advancing to the semi-finals and taking part in huge groups like India and Pakistan. We’ve performed them earlier than additionally many occasions. So I’m assured we are able to beat any crew on a given a day,” added the poster boy of the Bangladesh cricket.
Shakib was talking on the sidelines of the disclosing of the Icon Gamers for Bangla Tigers for the Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League to be held in November.
He is without doubt one of the most prolific all-rounders and has produced many match-winning performances. Having scored over 6000 runs within the T20s and taking round 416 wickets, he underlines his presence and might change the complexion of nay recreation.
He was named because the skipper of the Bangla Tigers for the upcoming season of the Abu Dhabi T10 League in Dubai on Thursday.
Shakib was with Deccan Gladiators, who gained the title within the 2021-2022 version of the league, which is in its sixth 12 months of operating.
“I gained the title final 12 months with Gladiators. So, after I was requested to hitch Bangla Tigers, I couldn’t say no as a result of this crew belongs to Bangladesh and could be very closed to my coronary heart,” revealed Shakib on becoming a member of the Bangladeshi franchise.
“I’ll attempt to repeat the feat with Bangla Tigers this time round. I’m assured we are able to do it as there are numerous good gamers within the crew,” he added.
He will likely be joined by West Indian batsman Elvin Lewis, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, Pakistani bowling sensation Mohammad Amir and Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana often known as Child Malinga as a consequence of his comparable bowling motion.
Additionally becoming a member of the crew this 12 months is former Indian cricketer S. Sreesanth as mentor. The crew, which got here third in final 12 months’s event, have additionally appointed Aftab Ahmed as head coach, Richard Stonier as coach, Nazmul Abedin Fahim as Assistant coach and Mentor and retained Kunal Manek because the analyst.
Globe-tottering Shakib, who performs in numerous T20 cricket league world wide, is without doubt one of the most wanted gamers for the franchsie as a consequence of his impeccable file.
“The T10 is sort of completely different from T20s. I actually loved taking part in within the shortest format of the sport. It’s extra sharp and brief. It is rather fast and you need to change your technique on each second ball. You can not follow Plan A and Plan B solely.
“A few fast wickets or a sixes can change the momentum of the sport and you need to alter to the scenario rapidly as there are solely 10 overs,” he knowledgeable.
Franchisee proprietor Mohammad Yasin Chowdhury mentioned, “It’s befitting that Shakib performs for the Bangla Tigers. He’s a incredible ambassador for Bangladesh cricket.
“From day one we have now been eager to incorporate him within the squad however as a result of busy schedule of the nationwide crew, we had been unable to deliver him on the board until this season.
“He’s a dynamic, skilled, devoted, passionate and motivated participant in addition to an inspirational captain, who will little doubt lead the squad from the entrance.”