Skipper Litton Das notched up his 15th T20I half-century to guide the Tigers to a convincing seven-wicket win over Hong Kong in their Asia Cup opener at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. 

During Bangladesh’s two practice sessions in Abu Dhabi ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 opener against Hong Kong today, the focus was noticeably on big-hitting. That’s hardly unusual ahead of a T20 tournament.

Bangladesh are set to begin their Asia Cup campaign against Associate Nation Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi today. The Litton Das-led side enter the continental tournament on the back of a decent run of form, but even during Tuesday’s practice session, some familiar issues resurfaced.

Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das has dismissed any talk of past scars ahead of their Asia Cup T20 opener against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, insisting his side are fully focused on starting their campaign with a win.

On the surface, Bangladesh carry momentum into the Asia Cup in UAE.

The weight of captaincy in any sport compounds exponentially under the bright lights of a major tournament. On top of that, if the captain has not experienced the pressure of leading in that event before, it should put them at an even bigger disadvantage.

For years, the Tigers' T20 story has been one of cautious cricket and squandered chances.

The Bangladesh team is scheduled to leave for the UAE in two groups today to take part in the upcoming Asia Cup, which runs from September 9-28.

For the record book, Bangladesh captain Litton Das' fiifty against the Netherlands in the dead-rubber third T20I in Sylhet yesterday holds some significance. With it, the wicketkeeper-batter overtook Shakib Al Hasan for the most fifties, 14, in the format for the Tigers.

Bangladesh’s final T20I of the three-match series against the Netherlands in Sylhet was abandoned due to rain on Tuesday, denying the Tigers a chance to complete a clean sweep. But captain Litton Das remained upbeat, stressing that both his own form and the team’s collective performances have set Bangladesh up well for the Asia Cup beginning September 9 in the UAE.

Litton Das scored his 14th T20I half-century to surpass Shakib Al Hasan for most fifties by a Bangladesh player during the third and final T20I of the three-match series in Sylhet on Wednesday. 

When it comes to guessing which side of a tossed coin will come up on top, Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das' track record isn't too great.

Bangladesh need 104 runs to win.

Bangladesh skipper Litton Das produced a timely return to form in Sylhet on Saturday, guiding his side to a commanding eight-wicket win over the Netherlands in the first T20I Taskin Ahmed the three-match series.

It was Litton’s first fifty against the Netherlands in four outings, surpassing his previous combined tally of 54 runs against the Dutch.

Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0.

Bangladesh Twenty20 International captain Litton Das said that he is not worried about what could happen if his side slips up against Netherlands in the upcoming three-match series so close to the Asia Cup, claiming that the type of cricket the team plays is more important to him than the outcome.

Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards believes his side have every chance of upsetting Bangladesh when the two sides meet in a three-match T20I series, starting on August 30 in Sylhet.

While Litton and Mustafizur bask in family time and freedom, some of their teammates are staying close to the grind.

Bangladesh’s next international assignment is expected in September during the Asia Cup T20, which is likely to be held in the UAE. Until then, the national side faces a rare break from international and domestic cricket, aside from Bangladesh 'A' team’s scheduled red-ball and T20 series in Australia next month.