5 Bangladesh players who have excelled in Asia Cup

Bangladesh have been playing Asia Cup since 1986 and till 2010, they were considered minnows due to their extremely poor record in the tournament. But for the first time, in the 2012 edition of the Asia Cup in the ODI format, the Bangla Tigers under their then skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, delivered their best for the first time by defeating India and Sri Lanka and qualified for the final.

In the final of the tournament, Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by two runs and became the runners-up but by virtue of their stunning performances won the hearts of many supporters of the game.

In the 2016 Asia Cup, which was played in the T20 format, Bangladesh again proved their mettle by defeating big teams such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Like 2012, this time again Bangladesh ended up with the runners-up tag, but the team with its solid performances gave a stern message to other Asian giants that it can’t be taken lightly in the continental tournament.

In the 2018 installment of the Asia Cup played in the ODI format in the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh again played competitive cricket by routing the one of the favourites of the tournament - Pakistan. In all these Asia Cup editions, the team looked high-spirited due to the diligence of their big names. Here are some of the players who have done exceedingly well for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup over the years:

1. Mustafizur Rahman 

Mustafizur Rahman made his international debut in 2015 and in 2016, he appeared in the Asia Cup for the first time. Playing in the multi-nation tournament for the first time, Mustafizur picked up three wickets in three games at a low economy of 6.00. In the important game against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh batters set a very low target of 148 which was chasable for the Sri Lankan batters.

But Mustafizur was incredible as he delivered an economical spell of 4.0-0-19-1. With his contribution, Bangladesh registered an amazing victory by containing Sri Lanka to a score of 124/8. Till now, in the T20 form of the tournament, he is one of the best bowlers for Bangladesh with four wickets in five matches.

While in the ODI format of the Asia Cup also, he has taken ten wickets in five matches at an impressive economy of 4.40. In the 2018 Asia Cup, while playing against Pakistan, he broke the back of Pakistan's batting line-up with his disciplined bowling. With figures of 10-2-43-4, he helped his team to beat Pakistan and reach the final for the third time in the tournament's history.