Bangladesh’s T20 side, once stuck in a rut of cautious cricket and repeated failures, appears to have stumbled onto something close to a formula or at least, a rhythm that works. After a miserable run of six straight losses, including an embarrassing series defeat to the UAE in May, the Tigers have clawed their way back into relevance with two series wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The results have not only quietened the critics but also sparked a shift in how the team plays and thinks about T20 cricket. At the centre of this change is a captain who once doubted his side’s six-hitting ability but now leads a line-up that swings big and swings often.
Preparations are now underway for the Asia Cup, set for September. With the August series against India cancelled, the team will enter a rare period of rest before regrouping for a long skills camp starting early August. A power-hitting coach is expected to be added to the support staff, another sign of the team’s changing priorities.
Liton’s transformation mirrors the team’s
Few captains get the chance to reinvent themselves mid-crisis, but Liton Das has done just that. From taking over full-time captaincy in a storm of defeats to now leading a more confident and cohesive team, Liton’s evolution has mirrored that of the side.
The shift isn’t just tactical, it’s psychological. Players now speak with clarity about their roles. Bowlers are holding their nerves in tight situations. And perhaps most importantly, there’s a sense of belief that was previously missing.
Liton has shown a willingness to experiment resting key pacers to manage workloads and giving fringe players a chance in dead rubbers even if that occasionally backfires. The heavy loss in the final T20I against Pakistan was a reminder that risk carries consequences. But Liton’s broader approach is one of calculated growth, not blind gamble.
Still fragile when chasing the big ones
Despite recent wins, one thing remains unchanged: Bangladesh’s deep discomfort with chasing big totals especially at Mirpur. The Sher-e-Bangla Stadium may be the team’s home fortress in name, but chasing 150+ there has become a curse. Ten times Bangladesh have been set such a target at this ground in T20Is. Ten times they have lost.
The trend isn’t limited to Mirpur either. Across all venues, Bangladesh has a dismal record when chasing 150 or more winning only nine of 56 attempts. That’s more than just a blip; it’s a glaring weakness in approach and execution.
Whether it’s due to a collapse in the middle order, lack of intent up front, or simple pressure mismanagement, this soft underbelly remains one of the biggest obstacles ahead of the Asia Cup and World Cup. Until the team can flip that script, their progress will always come with an asterisk.
The six-hitting era has arrived finally
Ironically, Bangladesh’s return to form hasn’t come through grinding it out. It’s arrived on the back of aggression particularly with the bat. In a span of four games, four different Bangladeshi batters cleared the ropes at least five times. That’s not just a purple patch; that’s a philosophical shift.
Bangladesh currently lead all Test nations in T20I six-hitting in 2025, with 91 in 12 matches. And they recently became the first Test side to smash 100 sixes across formats this calendar year. For a team that once built innings on nudges and dabs, this is unfamiliar and welcome territory.
What’s more important is what these sixes represent: a shift in mindset. No longer do Bangladeshi batters look for the boundary as a last resort. Now, they’re seeking it early and often. Liton himself once lamented that his players weren’t powerful enough to clear large grounds. Three years later, that very captain is leading a side that seems determined to do just that.
The real challenge begins now
Momentum is fickle in cricket, especially in T20s. Bangladesh’s recent wins, however heartening, came with plenty of caveats: friendly conditions at home, opposition missing key players, and a lack of pressure situations. The road ahead starting with the Asia Cup and followed by the T20 World Cup will be far less forgiving.
The progress is real, but it’s not irreversible. The newfound six-hitting ability, the bowlers’ confidence, and Liton’s matured captaincy are all promising signs. But without solving the long-standing issues particularly chasing under pressure and the lack of death-over composure the Tigers risk sliding back into old habits.
A long break and training camp offer a window to fine-tune these flaws. If they seize it, this team could finally she d the label of underachievers in T20 cricket. If not, it might just be another false dawn.