3 positive takeaways for Bangladesh despite heartbreaking Asia Cup 2025 exit

Soumyajit Dutta

Bangladesh team exits from Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @charul_boka/X.com]Bangladesh team exits from Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @charul_boka/X.com]

Bangladesh takes a sad exit from the Asia Cup 2025 as Pakistan beat them in their concluding Super Four clash. It was a do-or-die for both teams. However, Pakistan stood as the victor with 11 runs. While it is disheartening for Litton Das & Co. to get kicked off the Final, there are some positive aspects too.

The T20 World Cup 2026 is nearing, and teams can't be prepared enough for the big challenge. For Bangladesh, they have an upcoming assignment against Afghanistan for a tri-match T20I series against Afghanistan and here are some of the best positives they can take away home after their Asia Cup 2025 exit. 

1) Consistency in opener Saif Hassan

Despite missing out on two Asia Cup 2025 matches, Bangladesh opener Saif Hassan is the top scorer for the team with 178 runs at an average of 44.50 and a strike rate of 128.06. 

Bangladesh's primary woe has always been the top-order struggles that see early collapses. In such scenarios, having someone who can deliver at the top is always beneficial.

Saif Hassan's T20I performances over the years [Source: OneCricket]Saif Hassan's T20I performances over the years [Source: OneCricket]

Saif has been doing so consistently with his 69, 61 and 30 in the series. Notably, these are his best scores as openers since 2021 in T20I cricket. Hence, Saif's resurgence can be a turning point for Bangladesh ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

2) Towhid Hridoy can address middle-order woes

Towhid Hridoy has scored a total of 139 runs from his 6 innings at an average of 27.80 in the Asia Cup 2025. While the numbers are not impressive, his role as an anchor after Bangladesh's top order collapse has improved. 

While his strike rate remains low, the batter can make up for Bangladesh's middle to lower-middle order vulnerabilities as seen in his games against Sri Lanka (58), Afghanistan (26) and Hong Kong (35). With a bit more consistent performance, pairing up with Jaker Ali, Hridoy can build on the momentum he achieved in the tournament.

3) Vintage Litton Das back in T20Is

Litton Das' T20I performances over the years [Source: OneCricket]Litton Das' T20I performances over the years [Source: OneCricket]

Litton Das averages 31.52 in 19 T20Is in 2025 after the conclusion of the Asia Cup, which is way better than his dismal 16.26 average from 21 T20I matches in 2024. This paints his resurgence as a strike batter for Bangladesh as the T20I skipper leads by example. 

His knocks of 59, 28 and 23 in the group stage and Super Fours of the Asia Cup saw intent with the bat that might open up new scoring possibilities for the Bengal Tigers. Saif's consistency at the top with Litton's firepower can be a crucial development for Bangladesh, especially building up to the T20 World Cup.