The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is set to provide a solid platform for the South Asian nations to fine-tune themselves for the ICC World Cup, which will also be hosted in the region beginning Oct 5.

It was a curious innings from Shakib Al Hasan in March last year against South Africa that led Bangladesh to a momentous win in the first ODI of the bilateral series at Centurion. During a 64-ball 77,

Rubel Hossain’s yorker going through the bat and pads of James Anderson at the Adelaide Oval in the 2015 World Cup will forever remain one of the most iconic moments in Bangladesh cricket.

Former Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque was part of the team when the Asia Cup was last played in the ODI format in 2018 where the Tigers reached the final.

While many have come with a lot of promise and yet withered away too quickly, Towhid Hridoy has already garnered praise from all and sundry, who believe that the 2020 U-19 World Cup-winning star is here to stay. Still,

The Daily Star (DS): You have won the Asia Cup. How did it feel?

Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram said on Sunday the upcoming Asia Cup will test the readiness of subcontinental bowlers for 50-over cricket ahead of the ODI World Cup, but he refused to pick any favourites for the tournament

The Asia Cup will back to its old 50-over format when the 16th edition of the regional cricket extravaganza kicks off in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30, after its recent edition featured the shortest format last year. As Bangladesh are gearing up for the six-team tournament under the leadership of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, The Daily Star Sports looks back to the Tigers' performances in the 2018 Asia Cup in UAE, played in their preferred 50-over format. 

With the 16th edition of the Asia Cup around the corner, here we look at some interesting facts and figures regarding the continental showpiece:

Spin bowler Lamichhane, 23, once the poster boy for the rise of cricket in Nepal, is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in a Kathmandu hotel room in August last year. Lamichhane denies all charges

They have made a few changes to the side that faced Pakistan in the recently concluded three-game ODI series. Azmatullah Omarzai and Wafadar Momand miss out on Asia Cup selections. Omarzai had coped a side strain in the series against Pakistan

Shakib had been unable to take part in the Tigers' two-week training camp since he was busy playing Global T20 League in Canada and Lanka Premier League. The 36-year-old was seen in Mirpur but did not participate in the practise game on the last day on Thursday.

Despite not being completely out of runs, the manner of Liton's dismissals over the past few months have been a concern for the Bangladesh team management. With major tournaments such as Asia Cup and the World Cup to come, Liton's form is a big area of dependency for the Tigers as a strong start from the top-order is required when wickets favour batters.

Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been added to Pakistan's Asia Cup squad with Tayyab Tahir named as the travelling reserve

The Nidahas Trophy, where Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in a tempestuous encounter to move into the final, has been a talking point in South Asian cricket since 2018, and Hathurusingha was the coach of the Lankan team at that time, having just defected from the Bangladesh dugout. But the coach simply brushed aside any notion of any lingering rivalry

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan expects his team to do well in the upcoming Asia Cup. However, the all-rounder said he would be taking every match separately rather than putting any specific target for his team to achieve in the tournament.

Sri Lanka are having to deal with multiple issues ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup.

Bangladesh got off to a flying start in the tournament with a thumping 137-run victory against Sri Lanka but suffered back-to-back defeats in the tournament

The Asia Cup will back to its old 50-over format when the 16th edition of the regional cricket extravaganza kicks off in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30, after its recent edition featured the shortest format last year. As the Tigers are gearing up for the six-team tournament under the leadership of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, The Daily Star Sports look back to the Tigers' performances in 2018 Asia Cup in UAE, played in their preferred 50-over format.  

Bangladesh won the opening match against Sri Lanka by a crushing 137-run margin at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, courtesy of Mushfiqur Rahim’s 150-ball 144