'Yeh team tho Asia Cup mein secret underdogs honge'- Fans react as Bangladesh announce their Asia Cup squad

Bangladesh have announced their Asia Cup squad. The Bangla Tigers will fancy themselves as a threat due to their spin attack and also the Sri Lankan conditions. Bangladesh have not won an Asia Cup so far in their history but have made it to the finals twice when it was held in the ODI format. They played Pakistan in the finals in 2012 and India in the finals in 2018.

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Bangladesh has called up two young players in the 17-man Asia Cup squad.  Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Shamim Hossain Patwary have made the cut to the squad. Both Tamim and Shamim were part of the Bangladesh U19 team that won the World Cup back in 2020 against India in the final. Even though Shamim has played 17 T20Is for the Tigers, Tamim is yet to make his debut at the international level.

Who else can lead - Nazmul Hassan on Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh  Skipper

Tammim and Shamim have an average of 28 in their List A careers. The big name that went missing in the Asia Cup squad is Mahumudullah Riyaad who did not make the cut to the Asia Cup squad. It remains to be seen whether the middle-order batter will make it to the 2023 ODI World Cup.

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Shakib Al Hasan recently was reappointed captain of the Bangladesh Limited overs side. He takes over the reins from Tamim Iqbal who will miss the Asia Cup due to a back injury. Shakib will also continue as Bangladesh's skipper for the ODI World Cup as well.

"There was never any confusion. I told you before. He is the obvious choice. Who else can lead? But we had to talk to him before appointing him. Nobody should think anything else. Shakib is the captain. He was always the main choice," The Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan said after Shakib was reappointed as Bangladesh skipper.

Bangladesh Squad for Asia Cup 2023

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Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Mohammad Naim.

Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:

Well balanced squad, dark horse

— Lubana Warriors (@LovepreetS49) August 12, 2023

Bangladesh have risen up the ranks rapidly in the last 8 years, defeating a few top teams on the way. India have narrowly escaped them, especially in 2018 Nidahas Trophy final and Asia Cup final. They can't be taken lightly.

— Caught At Point (@Caught_At_Point) August 12, 2023

Soumya Sarkar preparing for the next emerging Asia cup?

— Siddhant (@Siddhant1074941) August 12, 2023

Easily winning the cup. Look at spin department.

— Ankit (@cricholic90) August 12, 2023

Hridoy is great addition to the team

— Javed Niazi (@JavedKhan450054) August 12, 2023

Can beat ict easily

— Unkown indian (@Unknown65088704) August 12, 2023

Umpires pic.twitter.com/yDAwwAszBG

— Seb Bazz (@Seb5Bazz42) August 12, 2023

Mahmudullah kaha h?

— JAISAL KUMAR (@JAISALKUMAR97) August 12, 2023

Riyad dropped because Hathurusingha likes non performer like Afif and niam sheikh

— al mamun fahim (@almamunfahim4) August 12, 2023

Unfair. Happens to the best of us 😞

— Virat Kohli (Parody) (@imWyrat) August 12, 2023