Bangladesh's campaign in the 2025 Asia Cup officially began on Sunday, as the first group of players departed Dhaka for the United Arab Emirates.
Thirteen squad members, including batter Jaker Ali, boarded a flight at 10:15am, heading to Dubai ahead of the tournament.
Speaking briefly to reporters at the airport, Jaker expressed confidence in the team's preparation, citing recent training camps and the series against the Netherlands.
“The dressing room has always been fine. From fitness to the series, everything has gone well. We’re hopeful of doing well in the Asia Cup,” he said.
He also downplayed criticism and external pressure.
“In big tournaments or small ones, every match is important. We want to approach all of them with the same mindset and focus on the basics. There’s nothing to answer to anyone. We’ll just play our cricket and give our best.”
Bangladesh have been under fire for their uneven T20 form in recent years, struggling to string together consistent results despite flashes of quality.
The Asia Cup presents an opportunity to reset and build confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The Tigers will open their campaign against Hong Kong on September 11, with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka completing Group B.
The tournament will be held across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the final scheduled for September 28 in Dubai.