Asia Cup 2023: Bangladesh's Strongest XI

Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh have announced their squads for the Asia Cup 2023 to be played from August 30 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, who failed to qualify for the Super Four in the previous edition of the tournament, will look to do wonders, this year. In the last 12 years, Bangladesh have played quality cricket in the One-Day International (ODI) format of the continental tournament, and this year, they will look to do the same. 

In the 2018 installment of the tournament, the Bangla side beat Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka and qualified for the final. However, they lost to India in the summit clash and concluded their journey as runners-up for the second time in the history of the marquee tournament played among Asian sides. On August 12, Bangladesh selected a 17-member squad for the tournament and now, these players will look to help their team lift the coveted trophy for the first time.

Here is Bangladesh’s strongest XI for the Asia Cup 2023

1. Mohammad Naim

In Tamim Iqbal’s absence due to a back injury, Mohammad Naim might open Bangladesh’s innings in the upcoming competition. Naim has played only four ODIs thus far and has scored only 10 runs in three innings. However, he has played a lot of domestic cricket, which makes him reliable to fill the shoes of Tamim in the upcoming competition.  

This time, if he gets a chance to open the innings, he will look to deliver fine starts to his team and improve his record as an opening batter. In List A Cricket, he has scored 3662 runs with seven centuries and 27 fifties in 83 innings of 84 matches at a strike rate of 87.29. 

The young Bangladesh stalwart will strive to grab this golden opportunity with both hands to help his side win the huge competition. Naim will also look forward to showcasing his mettle and reserving his spot in the team that will travel to India for the World Cup 2023 in October.