Asia Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan Speaks On Bangladesh's Preparation Ahead Of Asia Cup, Says 'You Cannot Think Of The World Cup With...'

Bangladesh white-ball skipper, Shakib Al Hasan reckoned that their ODI World Cup squad will not be made based on their performance in Asia Cup 2023.

Bangladesh are placed in Group B along with Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. In Group A, there are Pakistan, Nepal, and India. In the tournament, each team will play two matches until the next Super-Four round starts.

The final match of the six-team tournament will take place on Sunday (September 17th) at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.

Shakib Al Hasan’s side will travel to Sri Lanka to play their first match of the tournament against the home team at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (August 31st) and then they will be moving to Pakistan to take on Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday (September 3rd).

While speaking to ICC, Shakib Al Hasan said that the ODI World Cup and Asia Cup are two different competitions and one should not compare them with each other.

The 36-year-old skipper accepted that still Asia Cup is still important to them since it will help the team management to make a better team in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India.

“You cannot think of the World Cup with the Asia Cup because they are two different tournaments. Yes, if we can do well and develop as a good team in Asia Cup, in that case, we have a good chance to do well in the World Cup and from that point of view Asia Cup is important,” Shakib Al Hasan said.

Now we are thinking only about the Asia Cup: Shakib Al Hasan

The veteran Bangladesh player who will be leading the team in both Asia Cup and ODI World Cup said that now the team’s primary focus is on Asia Cup 2023 and the game against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Al Hasan added that when Asia Cup will end, they will start planning for the extravaganza tournament which will be hosted by India.

“Now the whole plan is based on the Asia Cup and the preparation and team is prepared accordingly. When we finish the Asia Cup, the World Cup will come and we will think about it at that point of time. Now we are thinking only about Asia Cup and more precisely we are only thinking about Afghanistan, Sri Lanka game,” Shakib Al Hasan added.

Bangladesh’s squad for Asia Cup 2023: Shakib Al Hasan (C), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mamhud, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mohammad Naim.