Bangladesh will begin their 2023 Asia Cup campaign on August 31 against arch rivals Sri Lanka. The The Tigers have named a 17-member squad for their 2023 Asia Cup hunt. Shakib Al Hasan has returned to lead the ODI side after years. Already captain of the T20I and Test sides, Shakib got the ODI role after default skipper Tamim Iqbal got sidelined because of a back injury.

Tanzid Hasan, Bangladesh’s highest run-getter in the recently concluded ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup, has received a maiden call-up. Tanzid’s 179 runs in four matches, including three half-centuries, have got him under the selectors’ radar.

Mahmadullah’s omission from the squad has been another talking point: the BCB had called the 37-year-to a fitness camp.

The continental event has opted for the ODI format this year. The last time this happened was in 2018 when India got crowned as the champions.

After conundrums regarding the venue, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are hosting the tournament. Pakistan were originally supposed to host it, but India were not in favour of travelling to Pakistan owing to security concerns. In response, Pakistan also threatened to pull out of the 2023 World Cup in India. Finally, a common ground was reached as both Pakistan and Sri Lanka would host the event, and India will play their matches in Sri Lanka.

Asia Cup 2023: Teams, venues, and format

Six teams will fight for the coveted Asia Cup 2023 trophy across 13 games. The 19-day event includes three stages – group, Super Fours, and the final. The top two teams from Groups A and B will advance to the Super Fours, from where the top two teams will qualify for the final. Here is how the groups are divided for the first round.

Group A: Pakistan, India, Nepal
Group B: Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka

Bangladesh Asia Cup 2023 schedule: full fixtures list, venues, match timings

Bangladesh will kick off their tournament against Sri Lanka on August 31 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Their last group-stage match against Afghanistan is on September 3 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Confirmed

August 31: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 1:00 pm IST.
September 3: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Lahore, Pakistan. 1:30 pm IST.

Possible

September 6: A1 vs B2, Lahore, Pakistan, 3:30 pm IST.
September 9: B1 vs B2, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2:00 pm IST.
September 15: A2 vs B2, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2:00 pm IST.
September 17: Final (Super Fours 1 vs Super Fours 2), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2:00 pm IST.

If Sri Lanka and Bangladesh qualify from Group B, they will play the Super Fours as B1 and B2, in that order. If Afghanistan qualify, they will replace Sri Lanka as B1, or Bangladesh as B2.

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