'This is huge confidence boost for us ahead of Asia Cup' - Shakib Al Hasan following Bangladesh's T20I series win over Afghanistan

Bangladesh outplayed Afghanistan by six wickets in the second T20I on July 16 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium to win the two-match series 2-0. The multi-format series began with a one-off Test which the hosts won but fell short in the three-match ODI series 1-2.

After their maiden T20I series win over Afghanistan, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan feels that it will be a big boost for them ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup.

"From here (T20 squad) around 80 to 90 percent cricketers will play in the ODIs and this is a huge confidence boost for us ahead of the Asia Cup," Shakib was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Shakib felt his team was doing well in the T20 format, admitting they need to be more adaptable in the future. The 36-year-old all-rounder also stated that a number seven batter should do the same role as openers do, adding that if everyone can bat everywhere, it will be easier to adapt when faced with difficult circumstances. According to the skipper, the same is for the bowlers when they bowl in different situations. 

Notably, in the rain-soaked second game, Bangladesh promoted number seven batter Afif Hossain up the order. Afif (24) performed admirably, putting up 67 runs in the opening partnership with Litton Das (35) to help Bangladesh defeat one of the best bowling assaults in the world in the limited overs format.

"If there is flexibility it is good for the team. In T20s, a number seven might have to do the same job that openers have to do. If the openers bat for 15 overs he might have to play the next five overs as well. If everyone can bat everywhere, they won't find it difficult to adapt when facing a tough situation. The same goes for the bowlers when they bowl in different situations.

"The five or six bowlers we have... our job is to make things easy for batters and we always try that. Now with the combination we have, we are seeing a healthy competition among pacers and spinners and this is a good thing for the team," the skipper added.