Bangladesh is all set for the cricketing showdown as the Asia Cup 2025 promises thrilling action at every turn. In Group B, they will face off against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong in a battle for supremacy. Bangladesh will have to contend with hope, pressure, and a few unknowns. Aakash Chopra former India opener, recently gave his thoughts, and to be honest, he is not placing a bet on the Tigers making it to Super Fours! So, what exactly is the problem with Litton Das and the team?
Overreliance on Litton Das
Bangladesh’s fortunes in T20s often feel like they ride entirely on Litton Das’s shoulders. As good a player as Litton is, expecting him to carry the load in a big moment for a team is a risky proposition. Chopra called him “an underachiever”, and there is an element of truth to that. The big fella is expected to produce at every turn, and if he fails, Bangladesh has very little in the tank to depend on. Modern T20 cricket does not allow for a one-man show; teams win T20 matches in recent years due to countless other contributors throwing in their two cents in moments of pressure. Look to the depth of Afghanistan or the consistent play of Sri Lanka in bigger tournaments; they have multiple weapons throughout the order, and that will be a glaring difference in the early rounds for Bangladesh.
Pressure Points and Scoring Limits
Bangladesh has had more than its share of trauma in multi-nation tournaments. Chopra talks about the mental side, that they tend to “choke in big moments.” This is not only just nerves; it’s partly about strategy; if they aim for totals within the 160-180 range, then they may survive teams like Hong Kong, but against teams like Sri Lanka or Afghanistan, who can easily reach 210+, I think Bangladesh could be undernourished. And toss in a few batters with strike rates struggling to breach 150, and the Tigers could often be chasing totals rather than just contributing to the totals posted on the board. T20 cricket is ruthless and is played on minuscule margins to take teams into the next phase of a tournament.
Missing All-Round Firepower
Without a genuine all-rounder, Bangladesh’s balance between bat and ball looks fragile. In past tournaments, players like Shakib Al Hasan or Mehidy Hasan Miraz brought balance – someone who could swing the game with both bat and ball. This time, both are out of the squad. Without a proper all-rounder, the Tigers lose flexibility with fewer bowling options, less middle-order firepower, and will depend on Litton and a couple of others to pull off miracles. In a tournament where one off-day is all it takes to end your campaign, this is significant. Afghanistan’s bowling depth and Sri Lanka’s multi-dimensional squad illustrate to us what Bangladesh does not have – an X-factor player who can turn the game upside down.
FAQs
- Who predicted that Bangladesh might not make it past the group stage?
Former India opener Aakash Chopra shared this opinion.
- Why might Bangladesh struggle in high-scoring games?
Most of their batters have strike rates below 150, limiting their ability to chase or set big totals.
- What mental challenge does Bangladesh face in tournaments?
They have a tendency to choke under pressure in crucial moments.
