Rashid regains his place as the No.1 ranked ODI bowler in the world following Afghanistan's 3-0 series sweep over Bangladesh, while Omarzai returns to the premier position for ODI all-rounders.

Mushtaq, the former Pakistan leg-spinner now working with Bangladesh, credited Rashid’s control but said the batters failed to separate the bowler from the ball.

For once, Mehidy Hasan Miraz dropped the clichés. There was no talk of “learning experiences” or “positives to take.” Instead, the Bangladesh ODI captain sounded visibly exasperated as he laid bare the team’s batting frailties after yet another collapse saw them slump to an 81-run defeat -- and a 2-0 series loss -- against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Afghanistan have won the toss and opted to bat first in the second ODI against Bangladesh at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. 

Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz admitted his side were at least 40 runs short after yet another underwhelming batting display led to a five-wicket defeat in the first ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Bangladesh need 144 runs to win.

Bangladesh openers Tanzid Tamim and Parvez Emon scored half-centuries to set up a four-wicket win in the first T20I of the three-match series in Afghanistan on Thursday.

A veteran of franchise leagues worldwide, Rashid framed it as part of cricket’s modern grind.

Once underdogs, Afghanistan now stride into the Asia Cup with fire in their belly and eyes on the prize. Explosive openers, a lethal spin arsenal, and a squad that thrives under pressure make them a team ready to shake up Asia’s cricketing heavyweights.

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.

As the T20 format returns for the first time since 2022, here are some of the standout records from past editions:

Pakistan laid down a marker ahead of the Asia Cup as Mohammad Nawaz took a hat-trick in a 75-run win over Afghanistan in their tri-series final in Sharjah on Sunday.

Ace spinner Rashid Khan became the highest wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals, overtaking New Zealand's Tim Southee, to help Afghanistan beat United Arab Emirates by 38 runs in Sharjah on Monday.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan says his team have no "specific targets" despite producing groundbreaking performances in recent ICC global events, ahead of a T20 international tri-series starting Friday.

Afghans painted in red, green and black cheered from the sidelines of the Champions Trophy cricket in Lahore and from in front of their televisions in Kabul on Wednesday, brushing aside calls for England to boycott the match.

The 26-year-old MI Cape Town spinner went past Dwayne Bravo's tally of 631 wickets when he bowled Dunith Wellalage in the SA20 qualifier 1 against Paarl Royals on Tuesday.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan took six wickets in a row to put Afghanistan on the verge of victory in the series-deciding second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Sunday.

The 26-year-old missed Afghanistan's most recent Test matches on medical advice to heal a back injury for which he underwent surgery earlier this year.

Both cricketers took to X to urge the Taliban to reconsider their stance and restore Afghan girls' right to education, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s development.

Three of Rashid's brothers also tied the knot on the same night.