Saif Hassan believes Bangladesh are “one step closer” to reaching the Asia Cup final after his match-winning knock guided the Tigers to a four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Dubai on Saturday night.
The 26-year-old opener struck 61 off 45 balls, his first T20 international half-century for the national team, setting the tone in a tense chase of 169. Towhid Hridoy added 58 from 37 deliveries, sealing Bangladesh’s opening Super Four win and strengthening their push for a place in the final.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, player-of-the-match Saif expressed the squad’s ambitions:
“Before coming here, there was belief among everyone that we would play the final. We have crossed one step. Two more matches remain. Now all focus is on the next match.”
He added that Bangladesh should allow themselves to dream big but emphasised the need to take things step by step:
“Of course, we should dream big. But we have to go gradually. Our next match is against India and our full focus will be on that game. The rest will be thought of later.”
Saif’s place in the T20 squad was once seen as a surprise. Long considered a batsman suited only to the longer format, he had been working for years to adapt to white-ball cricket. At the start of this Asia Cup, he was not even in the preferred XI, but after Parvez Hossain Emon’s struggles, Saif seized his opportunity.
He had already shown glimpses of promise in Abu Dhabi against Afghanistan, providing a strong opening stand with Tanzid Hasan Tamim, but on Saturday he stepped up further, playing a decisive innings under pressure.
Bangladesh lost Tanzid in the opening over, yet Saif counter-attacked with intent, refusing to let the innings collapse. “After the wicket fell, our plan was to counter-attack,” he explained. “We handled their bowlers well. The communication with Litton da was very good. He could anticipate what the next ball would be and he told me. Alhamdulillah, we succeeded.”
Although Saif had scored a half-century at the 2023 Asian Games, this was his first true T20I fifty for the national team. Some Sri Lankan journalists expressed surprise at this milestone, particularly given that his mother’s family is from Sri Lanka.
Saif, however, downplayed the personal angle:
“No, nothing like that. I haven’t yet gone to that side of my mother’s family in Sri Lanka. But today’s innings was definitely special. I could contribute to the team. Hopefully I will be able to do even better.”
With this win, Bangladesh matched their captain Litton Das’s stated ambition before the tournament of aiming for the final. Saif’s innings has now given that goal sharper clarity.
But while the path to the final remains open, Saif is adamant about keeping focus narrow: “We have moved one step forward. Two matches still remain. Our next target is the next match.”
Bangladesh face India in their second Super Four fixture, a contest that could prove decisive in shaping their journey towards the Asia Cup final.
