Bangladesh, three-time runners-up in the Asia Cup, entered this year’s tournament with hopes of finally securing the title. However, those aspirations came to an end on Thursday following an 11-run defeat to Pakistan. Throughout the competition, Bangladesh were plagued by inconsistent and underwhelming batting performances.
One of the biggest disappointments was Jaker Ali Anik, a player known for his power hitting. Despite playing in all six matches, Jaker faced 66 deliveries without managing to hit a single six. His performance was poor, scoring just 71 runs at a strike rate of 107.57. He managed only five boundaries in total, with his highest score being a 41-run innings off 34 balls against Sri Lanka.
In the absence of Litton Das, Jaker was appointed captain for the key fixtures against India and Pakistan. In addition to leading the side, he took on wicketkeeping duties, an area where he already had known weaknesses. Despite being praised by power-hitting coach Julian Wood before the tournament and reportedly showing the most improvement in that department, Jaker failed to meet expectations.
Although he commented on the team’s collective struggles, Jaker has not addressed his individual performance. “We lost the last two matches because of our batting unit,” he said. “The bowlers did their job well. We bowled well both today and in the last match, but our batting let us down.”
Amid Bangladesh’s disappointment, one standout performer was Saif Hassan. Previously dropped from the national team due to limited ability and tactical issues, Saif returned with a renewed approach. Despite not being picked for two matches, he finished as Bangladesh’s top scorer in this Asia Cup, scoring 178 runs in four matches at an average of 44.50 and a strike rate of 128.05, the second-highest in the tournament overall.
Saif also hit 12 sixes, the most by any Bangladeshi in the current edition and the second-highest in the tournament, behind only India’s Abhishek Sharma who hit 17. Among other Bangladeshi players, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shamim Hossain Patwari and Towhid Hridoy each struck three sixes, while Parvez Hossain hit two.
Saif now holds the record for the most sixes by a Bangladeshi in the history of the T20 Asia Cup. His 12 sixes also place him fifth on the all-time six-hitters list in the tournament. Among Bangladeshis, the next closest is the retired Mahmudullah Riyad with seven sixes, followed by Sabbir Rahman with five.
