Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali Anik is confident his team can win the Asia Cup, overcoming cricketing giants in the subcontinent. The trophy has eluded Bangladesh three times: in 2012 against Pakistan, and in 2016 and 2018 against India. The Asia Cup will be held in September in the UAE in T20 format. Bangladesh is currently training at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, focusing on fitness and skill sessions, before moving to Sylhet for final preparations. Ahead of the tournament, they will play a three-match T20 series against the Netherlands from 30 August to 3 September. Jaker emphasized that the team’s sole aim is to win the trophy and that players are working hard, staying focused, and maintaining a positive environment. The preliminary squad includes top players such as Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Jaker Ali Anik among others.
Jaker Ali Confident Bangladesh Can Win Asia Cup
Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali Anik has expressed strong confidence that his team is capable of overcoming the subcontinent’s cricketing giants and clinching the Asia Cup.
The regional trophy has so far eluded Bangladesh on three occasions: in 2012, they lost a heartbreaker by two runs to Pakistan on home soil, and in 2016 and 2018, they were defeated by India in the T20 finals. This year, the Asia Cup, scheduled in September in the UAE, will once again be played in the T20 format ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Speaking to the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Jaker stated that winning the Asia Cup is the team’s sole focus. “Our target is simple: we are going to the Asia Cup to win the trophy. Everyone in the dressing room shares the same belief and commitment,” he said. He added that the team environment has been positive and the players are fully aware of what it takes to become champions.
Bangladesh is currently preparing at Mirpur, where the squad has been undergoing intensive training, including a 1600-meter fitness time trial, followed by skill sessions to sharpen batting, bowling, and fielding techniques. The training camp in Dhaka will continue until August 20, after which the team will move to Sylhet for final preparations.
Ahead of the Asia Cup, Bangladesh will play a three-match T20 series against the Netherlands in Sylhet on 30 August, 1 September, and 3 September. Jaker emphasized the importance of taking every match seriously. “Even though this series is a preparation platform, we will give our best to win all three matches. There is no room for complacency,” he said.
Bangladesh’s preliminary T20 squad includes: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Patwari, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, and Saif Hasan.
