Lasith Malinga was not picked by Sri Lanka for a year as the board wanted him to prove himself in the domestic circuit. He did just that and yesterday showed that being a champion sportsman is like riding a bike.

Last man Mustafizur Rahman had a brain freeze with 3.1 overs still left and the job, despite Mushfiqur Rahim's stellar unbeaten ton, nowhere near done.

That Bangladesh won the opening match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka yesterday by a crushing 137-run margin at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium does not even begin to tell the story. Mushfiqur Rahim scoring a career-best 144 off 150 balls to lift Bangladesh to 261 after Bangladesh were reduced to one run for two wickets by the end of the first over by danger man Lasith Malinga reveals a bit more, but still not the full picture.

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has suffered a fractured left wrist after being hit by a bouncer from Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal early in their Asia Cup opener.

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has suffered a fractured left wrist after being hit by a bouncer from Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal early in their Asia Cup opener. He will not take any further part in the match and there is serious doubt about his participation in the rest of the regional cricket extravaganza.

The good news for Bangladesh seems to be that the recovery of the injured pair of Tamim and Shakib -- both managing finger injuries.

Bangladesh posted a good total of 260 thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim's unbeaten 144 that featured some lusty late blows.

Ahead of their Asia Cup opener against Sri Lanka today in Dubai, Bangladesh got a minor scare as wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim experienced pain in his ribs, but team manager Khaled Mahmud says he will be okay to play.

Having made the finals in two of the last three editions of the Asia Cup, Bangladesh must now be considered as one of the serious contenders for the title of the regional cricket extravaganza starting today at the Dubai International Stadium. Their place in their group -- ranked above both groupmates Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, who they take on today -- justifies that billing.

When Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup opener in Dubai today, they will deal with the familiar and the unfamiliar in a quest to progress to the second round of a tournament that has been structured in a brand new format.

Tigers’ Vice Captain Shakib Al Hasan talks about the team’s preparations and expectations for their Asia Cup venture. Watch the Star Live video for Shakib’s full interview.

The Asia Cup is nearing the end of the build-up stage and on the verge of getting down to business with the tournament opener between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka slated for Saturday, but there was a bit of breathing space on Thursday as it was the first day of the Arabic New Year, and hence a public holiday in the UAE.

There is no shortage of confidence in the Tigers' camp in the UAE as the Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led side have been preparing under hot and humid conditions with the aim of achieving a new milestone in the Asia Cup.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Asian Cricket Council yesterday announced the schedule for the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, which starts on September 29 in Bangladesh.

Even before a ball has been bowled in the Asia Cup, the Bangladesh team have been considerably disadvantaged due to what can only be called mismanagement.

To be led by Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan have named a 16-man squad for the 2018 Asia Cup set to begin in the United Arab Emirates from 15 September.

Shakib Al Hasan has been the one name in Bangladesh cricket that has always remained the centre of discussion when it comes to planning for upcoming series.

There is a strong possibility that Shakib Al Hasan will play the Asia Cup to be held in UAE from September 15. The final decision regarding surgery on his troublesome left little finger will be taken once the ace all-rounder returns home on August 29 after performing Hajj.