Bangladesh batter Jaker Ali has issued a gentle reminder to the top-order batters that hitting every ball to the boundary during the Powerplay is not necessary, after the team’s loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2025, which was largely the result of an early batting collapse.
Sri Lanka reduced Bangladesh to 0 for 2, with the first two overs of the match being wicket-maidens. Although Litton Das tried to steady the ship and got a start, he couldn’t capitalise, finishing with a 26-ball 28. Jaker and Shamim Hossain then forged an unbeaten 86-run partnership to take the team to a respectable total. However, the total couldn’t be defended.
“I believe that the openers and the No. 3 batter are very important for our team. We are very mindful of this, and they must be cautious in this regard,” Jaker told reporters after the game.
“But that doesn’t mean they have to go for fours and sixes every ball in the Powerplay. Drop-and-run, rotating the strike — these things should be kept in mind. I’m sure they will reflect on this and do better in the next match,” he added.
With one win and one defeat, Bangladesh’s chances of progressing depend on both them and Sri Lanka defeating Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka also beating Hong Kong in their final group fixture.
“There is no question of giving up hope. We will play to win. We went into this match with that mentality, but it didn’t happen. In the next match too, we will play with the mindset to win. There is no other way.”
Bangladesh will play their third and final Group B fixture against Afghanistan on 16 September at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
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