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Bangladesh U-16 football team reaches Bhutan
Bangladesh's U-16 football team reached Bhutan on Wednesday afternoon to compete in the six-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championships to be held in Thimphu from September 2–10.
All the players and officials of the Bangladesh team are in sound health in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu, and the team will start their practise session on Thursday after a recess on Wednesday.
Read: Bangladesh U-16 Football team to fly Bhutan Wednesday to compete SAFF U-16 Champs
But the fixture of the tournament has partly been changed in the dying moments, deferring a day, according to a BFF media release on Wednesday.
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in three-team stronger Group A with India and Nepal, while Group B teams comprise the Maldives, Pakistan, and hosts Bhutan.
According to the revised fixture, Bangladesh will now play India on September 2 at 3pm local time instead of September 1, while they will meet Nepal on September 4 instead of Sept 3 at 7pm, both at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
Read: Afghanistan Football team in Dhaka to play two FIFA Int'l Friendlies with Bangladesh
After the group matches, the top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on September 8 instead of September 7, while the final match will be held as per the previous schedule on September 10 at 6 pm.
Bangladesh's team comprises 23 booters and seven officials.
Members of the Bangladesh team: Goal Keeper: Nahidul Islam, Abdur Rahman, and Alif Rahman Imtiaz;
Defenders: Ashiqur Rahman, Ismail Hossen, Abu Rayhan Shawon, Mohammad Delwar, Imdadul Haque, Imran Khan, Saim Omith, Sheikh Sangram and Mithu Chowdhury ;
Midfielders: Kamal Mridha, Abdullah Junaid Chistry, Arman Miah and Nazmul Huda Faysal (Captain);
Forwards: Abu Sayed, Mohammad Ripon, Murshed Ali,MH Mohibbullah, Mohammad Manik, Salahuddin Shahed and Swe Mong Sing Marma.
Read: Jamal Bhuiyan leads Sol de Mayo to victory in memorable debut
Team officials: Team Manager -Mohidur Rahman Miraj, Head Coach -Saifur Rahman Moni, Assistant Coach-Abul Hossain, Goal Keeping Coach- Shah Alam Tutul, Physio -KM Shakib, Team Doctor- Mohammad Atiquzzaman and Media Officer - Saeed Hasan.
Tigers Set to Commence Asia Cup Campaign Against Sri Lanka on Thursday
Bangladesh is poised to commence their Asia Cup journey with a faceoff against Sri Lanka in Kandy on Thursday.
Leading up to the Asia Cup, Bangladesh was dealt a dual blow with the loss of key bowler Ebadot Hossain and top-order batter Litton Das, both ruled out due to injuries.
Read: Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
Ebadot underwent surgery for a knee injury sustained during an ODI against Afghanistan earlier this year at home. Meanwhile, Litton was unable to secure a spot in the squad due to a bout of fever.
However, the newly inducted captain of Bangladesh’s ODI team remains unperturbed by the absentees. The captain expressed full confidence in securing a berth in the Super Fours with the current lineup.
Replacing Ebadot is Tanzim Hasan Sakib, an uncapped player. In an unexpected move, the Bangladeshi selectors included Anamul Haque Bijoy to fill the void left by Litton.
Read: Litton Das Ruled out of First Match Due to Fever
While Sakib's inclusion was rational, Anamul's selection raised eyebrows. He wasn't part of the contingent undergoing training under the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) program to provide backup players when needed.
Describing Litton's absence as a significant loss, Bangladesh captain Shakib commented, "He consistently performed well for us over the past few years. However, this presents a golden opportunity for someone else, who I'm confident will seize it."
As for Anamul's inclusion, Shakib cited the logic of a right-hand-left-hand combination at the top of the order. Zakir, who was training with the backup players, appeared as the natural choice, given Litton's illness. Yet, selectors opted for Anamul, citing the need for a wicketkeeper.
“Both Anamul and Litton bat in the top-order. In case something happens to Mushfiqur Rahim during the game, like a concussion or a minor injury, forcing him out of keeping, we needed coverage,” Shakib added.
Read: Bangladesh Cricket Team Departs for Asia Cup Without Liton Das
Shakib emphasized excelling in all facets of the game rather than fixating on a single position.
Since the notable Nidahas Trophy in 2018, Bangladesh's rivalry with Sri Lanka has intensified. Shakib, however, described the atmosphere in the dressing room as more composed. "While not a rivalry, we deliver impressive cricket when these two nations compete. It's a positive display for both the crowd and broadcasters."
Bangladesh has emerged as a formidable 50-over side. Despite India and Pakistan frequently being named as top contenders for the Asia Cup, the captain remains unfazed by such considerations.
Bangladesh boasts a record of nine victories in 51 ODIs against Sri Lanka. In recent years, they've become potent challengers. Still, Shakib recognizes the difficulty of playing against Sri Lanka on their home turf.
Read: Bangladesh aim a Super Fours berth in Asia Cup
The match is scheduled to commence at 3:30 pm (Dhaka time). It will be broadcast live on T-Sports, as well as on the OTT platform Toffee and the smartphone app MyGP.
Bangladesh Asia Cup squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy//
Captain Jamal Bhuyan arrives Dhaka from Argentina
Captain of Bangladesh National Football team Jamal Bhuyan arrived Dhaka from Argentina on Wednesday (August 30) to play two FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly matches against Afghanistan here.
Bangladesh national team will play two FIFA Tier-1 International Friendlies against Afghanistan on August 4 and 7 at the Bashundhara Sports Arena in the capital as a part of their preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers against the Maldives in October.
After about one and half day journey, Jamal Bhuyan reached the capital Wednesday morning and directly moved his residence for taking rest.
He is expected to join the national team camp Wednesday (August 30) evening as the national team have no official on field practice session on the day.
Earlier, Jamal Bhuyan leads his new Argentine club Sol de Mayo to victory in a memorable debut last Sunday, getting on the score sheet too in the process.
Read: Jamal Bhuiyan leads Sol de Mayo to victory in memorable debut
Jamal Bhuiyan was honoured with the captain's armband for his team in the Argentine Torneo Federal A League (3rd division league) match, as Sol de Mayo beat Germinal 2-1.
With this victory, Jamal's club Sol de Mayo advanced to 5th place in the nine-team league.
He scored a goal for his team in the 81st minute from a penalty after his Argentine team mate Fernando Valdebenito opened the account in the first half.
Germinal reduced the margin just three minutes before the final whistle.
Read more: Bangladesh Football Team Captain Jamal Bhuiyan becomes brand ambassador of National STEAM Olympiad 2023
However, Jamal Bhuyan will leave Dhaka for Argentina soon after playing the 2nd FIFA International Friendly against Afghanistan on September 7 to play the next match of his Argentine team (Sol de Mayo) against Olimpo on September 9.
Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI
The 2023 Asia Cup is in full swing, and now it’s time for the Group B matches to begin. Two strong teams from South Asia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, are getting ready to face each other. The Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match will take place on August 31 at 3:30 pm at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. While the Bangladesh team is aiming to win their first-ever Asia Cup, the Sri Lankan side is the second most successful team after India. However, Bangladesh have good records against Sri Lanka in recent matches. Let’s see more in this BAN vs SL 1st ODI Asia Cup 2023 match preview.
Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 ODI
Banglades selected a team of 17 players two weeks ago. Among them, five players – Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib – were part of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2020. Ebadot Hossain was initially included in the squad, but he won’t be able to play due to a lingering injury. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old fast bowler had to withdraw from the tournament. On the other hand, experienced all-rounder Mahmudullah, despite taking part in the preliminary fitness camp, has once again not been included in the Bangladesh team.
Litton Das was supposed to go to Sri Lanka later as he was suffering from viral fever. But he was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 as he is not fit yet and has no chance to play in any of the matches. Hence, the Bangladesh Cricket Board needed to do a swift reshuffle in the Bangladesh squad. Anamul Haque Bijoy has been included in the team as Litton’s replacement. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Anamul has participated in 44 ODIs, amassing a total of 1254 runs, which includes three centuries. His most recent appearance in a Bangladesh ODI was in December 2022 when he took on India on the cricket field.
The Sri Lankan team had to make changes to their original Asia Cup squad because of injuries to Dilshan Madhushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Lahiru Kumara. This is a major setback for Sri Lanka’s bowling team because these four players are really important for the head coach Chris Silverwood’s plans and strategies to win. The team is currently facing fitness issues with these players, and that’s why they haven’t yet chosen new players to replace them or officially declared the final squad.
Read more: Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament
Bangladesh’s Probable XI
Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.
Sri Lanka’s Probable XI
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues
Recent Performance of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
After winning 2-0 in a series against Ireland on foreign soil, the Bangladesh cricket team came back home in June 2023 to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. However, things didn’t go well for the Tigers in this series. They faced a painful defeat on their home ground, losing both of the first matches. Bangladesh’s previous Asia Cup journey was also disappointing. In the last tournament, they couldn’t even win a single match in the group stage, which led to their elimination.
In contrast, Sri Lanka had a really good time in the 2022 Asia Cup. They did very well and became the champions of this important tournament for the first time since 2014. The Sri Lankan team’s most recent 50-over match was in July 2023, when they went to Zimbabwe to take part in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. They won this qualification title convincingly by beating the Netherlands by 128 runs, and they were unbeatable throughout the tournament.
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Head to Head Records So Far
Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seen as top teams in one-day international cricket these days. However, when they have played against each other, Sri Lanka were usually much stronger. Sri Lanka have been clearly in control against Bangladesh, winning 40 times. While Bangladesh have shown improvement in recent times, they have won only 10 out of the 51 matches they have played against Sri Lanka.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Six Players in Bangladesh ODI Squad to Watch
Key Players of BAN vs SL 1st ODI Match in the 2023 Asia Cup
Shakib Al Hasan
The Bangladesh team still depends a lot on this experienced all-rounder because of his remarkable skills. Despite being 36 years old, he was among the top 5 players for both runs scored and wickets taken in the series against Afghanistan. He was the only Bangladeshi bowler who managed to take at least one wicket in all three matches.
The Bangladesh team has many young players, especially in the batting lineup. So, it’s going to be crucial for the captain to bring stability to the team’s performance in the middle of the game. And Shakib is fully capable of that.
Maheesh Theekshana
With the star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga not available, the responsibility of leading Sri Lanka’s spin attack will fall on the shoulders of this 23-year-old off-break bowler.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad
Theekshana had a fantastic performance in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. He took 21 wickets in just 8 matches, making him the second-most successful bowler in the tournament. His average was really low at 12.19 runs per wicket. He even achieved a hat-trick of 4-wicket hauls in the final match against the Netherlands. He had previously accomplished this against Zimbabwe and West Indies as well.
Who Will Win?
Sri Lanka’s challenge in putting together their best bowling lineup could give Bangladesh’s batting team a chance to go on the offensive. But even with this, Sri Lanka is in a good position with a higher chance of winning. They have the advantage of being in good form and playing on their home ground.
Final Words
Sri Lanka are the current champion of the Asia Cup. Lately, Sri Lanka have been doing really well in ODI cricket. They performed incredibly well in the ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifiers, where they didn’t lose any matches and ended up winning the tournament. Because of this, the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh match will be highly competitive, as the Bangladesh team is also in good form. Although Bangladesh came from a 2-1 loss against Afghanistan, the Tigers seem to be confident before leaving for Asia Cup 2023.
Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?
Anamul included in Bangladesh’s Asia Cup squad as Litton ruled out
Bangladesh's opening batsman, Litton Das, has been ruled out of the ACC Asia Cup 2023 due to an unfortunate bout of viral fever. His absence has prompted a swift reshuffle in the Bangladesh squad, with Anamul Haque Bijoy stepping in as his replacement.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the development on Wednesday morning (August 30, 2023).
The opener's inability to travel to Sri Lanka with the Tigers’ Asia Cup squad and his ongoing struggle to overcome the lingering fever have ultimately led to his withdrawal from the much-awaited competition.
Litton Das Ruled out of First Match Due to Fever
The National Selection Panel of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has called upon Anamul, a 30-year-old right-handed batter, to fill the void left by Litton.
An experienced campaigner, Anamul boasts an impressive track record, having featured in 44 ODIs and accumulating 1254 runs, including three centuries. His latest appearance in an ODI match for Bangladesh dates back to December last year when he faced India on the field.
Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Pakistan vs Nepal 1st ODI
Minhajul Abedin, Chairman of BCB’s National Selection Panel, shared insights into the thought process behind Anamul’s selection. "He (Anamul) has been in the runs in domestic cricket, and we have continued to monitor him in the Bangladesh Tigers programme. He was always in our consideration," Minhajul remarked.
Minhajul went on to explain, "Due to Litton’s unavailability, we needed a top-order batter who could keep wicket, and Anamul got the nod."
Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka on August 31 in their opening Asia Cup match in Kandy. Following that, they will travel to Pakistan to play their second Asia Cup match against Afghanistan.
ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues
Bangladesh squad for 2023 Asia Cup:
Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Anamul Haque Bijoy
Men's Asian 5s Hockey: Bangladesh pummelled 15-1 by India
Bangladesh Men's Hockey team made a frustrating start in the 11-nation Men's Asian Hockey five-a-side (5s) World Cup Qualifier after suffering a humiliating 15-1 goals defeat against India in their opening day held in Salalah, Oman Tuesday evening.
Bangladesh were trailing by 1-7 goals in the first half against their giant neighbor India.
Also read: Hockey Champs Trophy: Monarch Padma beat Walton Dhaka 6-3
Sarowar Morshed Shawon scored the lone goal for Bangladesh in the very 2nd minute of the match by a field goal.
Earlier, Bangladesh was placed in the six- nation Elite group with India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia and hosts Oman while five-team Challenger group consists of Afghanistan, Iran, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
Also read: Jr Asia Cup Hockey: Bangladesh eliminated in group stage
In the remaining elite group matches, Bangladesh will play Pakistan on Aug 30 at 2 pm, Malaysia on the same day at 8 pm, Japan on Aug 31 at 2pm and hosts Oman, also on August 31 at 10pm (all times local).
Also read: Hockey Champs Trophy: Walton Dhaka taste first victory beating Rupayan City Cumilla 4-3
Bangladesh national men's hockey reached Oman on Saturday to take part in the eleven-nation qualifying round of the meet to be held between August 29 to September 2.
Bangladesh Men’s team : Asim Gope, Sarowar Hossain, Mahbub Hossain, Shafiul Alam Shishir, Deen Islam Imon, Sarowar Morshed Shawon, Raju Ahmed Topu and Abed Ullah.
Bangladesh U-16 Football team to fly Bhutan Wednesday to compete SAFF U-16 Champs
Bangladesh U-16 Football team will leave Dhaka for Bhutan Wednesday morning to compete in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-16 Championships to be held there from September 1-10.Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Tuesday announced a 30 member Bangladesh squad to play in the six- nation regional soccer meet to be held in the Himalayan country.
Also read: Bangladesh to compete in next month's SAFF U-19, U-16 Championships
Bangladesh team comprises 23 booters and seven officials.
Bangladesh, which was placed in three -team Group A with India and Nepal, will play India on Sept 1 and Nepal on Sept 3, both at the Changlimithang Stadium in Bhutan.
Also read: Lebanon confirmed as 8th team in SAFF Championship 2023
After the group matches, top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the semifinals on September 7 while the finalmatch will be held on September 10.
Also read: Bangladesh come from behind to beat Maldives, keep SAFF dream alive
Members of Bangladesh team:
Goal Keeper: Nahidul Islam, Abdur Rahman, and Alif Rahman Imtiaz ;
Defenders: Ashiqur Rahman, Ismail Hossen, Abu Rayhan Shawon, Mohammad Delwar, Imdadul Haque, Imran Khan, Saim Omith, Sheikh Sangram and Mithu Chowdhury ;
Midfielders: Kamal Mridha, Abdullah Junaid Chistry, Arman Miah and Nazmul Huda Faysal (Captain);
Forwards: Abu Sayed, Mohammad Ripon, Murshed Ali,MH Mohibbullah, Mohammad Manik, Salahuddin Shahed and Swe Mong Sing Marma.
Team officials:
Team Manager -Mohidur Rahman Miraj, Head Coach -Saifur Rahman Moni, Assistant Coach-Abul Hossain, Goal Keeping Coach- Shah Alam Tutul, Physio -KM Shakib, Team Doctor- Mohammad Atiquzzaman and Media Officer - Saeed Hasan.
28th National School Handball begins
The Polar Ice Cream 28th National School Handball (Boys & Girls) Tournament began here on Tuesday with BCIC College making a good start beating South Breeze School by 3-2 goals in the official opening match for the boys.
Twelve more matches --six for boys and six for girls --were also decided on the first day.
Also read: 28th National School Handball begins Tuesday
CEO of the meet' s sponsor Dhaka Ice Cream ( Polar Ice Cream) Industries Limited Shah Masud Imam inaugurated the meet as the chief guest at the Shaheed Capt ( Retd) M Monsur Ali National Handball Stadium here.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) Asaduzzaman Kohinoor presided over the day's inaugural function.
Also read: National Men's Handball: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) emerge champions
Twenty four teams are competing in the boys competition while 19 teams are taking part in the girls group at the Shaheed Capt ( Retd) M Monsur Ali National Handball Stadium and Sheikh Russel Roller Skating complex respectively.
Also read: IHF Trophy Women's Handball: Bangladesh emerge champions in Youth (U-17) group beating India
Final matches of both the boys and girls groups will be held on September 4.
Litton Das Ruled out of First Match Due to Fever
The Bangladesh national cricket team has encountered a significant setback just before their opening Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka, as their opener, Litton Das, has been ruled out of the first match due to fever.
Litton has been among Bangladesh's top batters for the past few years, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Tigers in their first Asia Cup match.
Read: Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Pakistan vs Nepal 1st ODI
Minhajul Abedin, the chief selector of Bangladesh, told UNB that the opener won't be able to participate in the opening match in Sri Lanka.
"He is still suffering from fever," Minhajul told UNB. "We are awaiting an update from the medical department."
Read: Bangladesh aim a Super Fours berth in Asia Cup
Litton was supposed to travel to Sri Lanka with the team on August 27th but could not make it due to a fever.
He was rescheduled to travel to Sri Lanka on Tuesday and join the team in Kandy; Litton's plans were disrupted due to his ongoing fever, preventing him from taking the flight.
Read: Bangladesh Cricket Team Departs for Asia Cup Without Liton Das
Bangladesh are set to commence their Asia Cup journey on August 31st in Kandy. After that, they will travel to Pakistan for their second match against Afghanistan.
Minhajul mentioned that they have not yet contemplated a replacement for Liton.
This year's Asia Cup features a total of six participating teams. Apart from Bangladesh, the other teams are Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Asia Cup 2023: Preview of Pakistan vs Nepal 1st ODI
In the opening match of the 16th edition of the Asia Cup, Pakistan will face Nepal in Karachi on August 30. The Nepal cricket team has already reached Pakistan to participate in the tournament for the first time. The Pakistan vs Nepal ODI match will start at 3:30 pm Bangladesh time at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Preview of Pakistan vs Nepal ODI match
The number 1 team in the Men's ODI Team Rankings will play the Number 15 team. Pakistan will step onto the field as the favourite, and they are getting home-ground advantage, too. Furthermore, their recent triumphant 3-0 sweep in the ODI series against Afghanistan undoubtedly contributed to a significant boost in their confidence.
On the other hand, Nepal secured their spot in the Asia Cup by emerging victorious in the 2023 ACC Men's Premier Cup held in May. Their impeccable record of remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament showcases their expertise. Nevertheless, facing Pakistan presents an entirely distinct and more challenging scenario. Playing with one of the most experienced teams, Nepal might get to see a one-sided game.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad
It's quite fascinating that Pakistan and Nepal have never played against each other in any official match in international cricket. However, they did have a practice match in the UAE back in 2015. During that match, Pakistan scored a solid 306 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, thanks to an impressive performance by Azhar Ali, who scored 73 runs off 73 balls. In return, Nepal had a slow start and managed to score 205 runs in their 50 overs while losing 5 wickets along the way.
Pakistan Probable XI
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
Nepal Probable XI
Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Bhim Sharki, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulshan Jha, Pratis GC.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues
Players to Watch in the PAK vs NEP 1st ODI in the 2023 Asia Cup
Imam Ul Haq
Pakistani batter Imam Ul Haq has shown remarkable consistency in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan, maintaining an average of nearly 70 with the bat. Considering his impressive performance, he will surely have an impact on the first match against Nepal. Overall, he played 62 matches and scored 2884 runs in total with 9 centuries and 18 fifties.
Naseem Shah
Pakistani bowler Naseem Shah's performance in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan has been outstanding, both in terms of his exceptional bowling and his economical figures. With his strong performance, he could be a top bowler against Nepal. Debuted in 2022, Naseem played 10 ODI matches so far and took 25 wickets in total.
Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?
Sandeep Lamichhane
Lamichhan's bowling record for Nepal is outstanding. He played 49 ODIs and chased 111 wickets. He surpassed Rashid Khan to reach 100 ODI wickets in just 42 matches and set a world record. In T20, too, he has a chance to take the record by himself. He now has 85 wickets in 44 matches.
Final Words
This year's Asia Cup, organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), will feature a hybrid model. This also includes matches in co-hosting country Sri Lanka. Although Pakistan is the main host, it can be said that the main tournament will be in Sri Lanka. 9 matches, including the final, are in the island nation. The remaining 4 matches of the tournament are in Pakistan. The Pakistan vs Nepal match will mark the inauguration of Asia Cup 2023.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Six Players in Bangladesh ODI Squad to Watch