One glaring aspect of this Asia Cup -- and of most major cricket events, for that matter -- is the organisers’ relentless push to stage as many India-Pakistan clashes as possible.

Ace left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman surpassed Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, also becoming only the fourth bowler in the world to register 150 T20I wickets.

He lifts his back foot and, with a graceful flick of the wrist, sends the ball pitched on leg stump soaring into the stands. That six off Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara by Bangladesh opener Saif Hassan in the Asia Cup Super Four opener in Dubai on Saturday has since gone viral.

Despite a rivalry that has simmered since the 2018 Nidahas Trophy and only intensified over the years, Bangladesh fans may feel less resentment toward Sri Lanka this time.

After the nail-biting win against Afghanistan, the immediate joy quickly gave way to calculations for Bangladesh. A loss would have meant certain elimination; the win kept the Tigers’ hopes alive.

Bangladesh are set to begin their Asia Cup campaign against Associate Nation Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi today. The Litton Das-led side enter the continental tournament on the back of a decent run of form, but even during Tuesday’s practice session, some familiar issues resurfaced.

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons said the team would rightly face criticism if they lose to the Netherlands in the three-match T20I series starting tomorrow at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

The tournament, set to be played in T20 format, will feature 19 matches, with Dubai hosting 11 and Abu Dhabi eight.

Jaker Ali’s 48-ball 55 proved to be a match-winning knock for Bangladesh in their eight-run victory over Pakistan in the second T20I at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur yesterday, and the right-handed batter later revealed that he had gone out to bat with a specific message from skipper Litton Das.

A brilliant fast-bowling display and some power-hitting from Jaker Ali saw Bangladesh win the second T20I by eight runs and clinch the three-match series 2-0 with a game in hand, despite a nervy ending that threatened a comeback for Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.  

Bangladesh are set to take on Pakistan in a three-match T20I series, starting with the first game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday at 6pm.

The Bangladesh squad arrived in the country on Thursday following their 2-1 T20I series triumph against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. The Tigers, however, have little time to adjust to home conditions, with Pakistan already having arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday to play a three-match T20I series.

Tigers’ smiles shine bright as Bangladesh clinched their first-ever T20I series win in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh T20I skipper Litton Das dedicated their T20I series triumph over Sri Lanka to the martyrs of the July movement last year.

Bangladesh are on a run of five straight T20I losses following a bitter 2-1 series loss to UAE and a 3-0 hammering by Pakistan.

Open bidding for the worldwide media rights for the Bangladesh national cricket team’s upcoming three-match home T20I series against Pakistan will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur tomorrow.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said that losing quick wickets in the middle saw the Tigers succumb to a 77-run defeat in the first of the three ODIs against hosts Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday. 

Amid this challenging phase, with a new ODI captain in Mehidy Hasan Miraz set to lead the side in the upcoming Sri Lanka series starting June 2, the pressure to rebuild and restore confidence is more immense than ever.

On June 26, 2000, Bangladesh became the 10th nation to gain Test status from the ICC -- a historic milestone that sparked hope and pride across the country.

Come June 26, Bangladesh will be completing its 25 years in Test cricket.