Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim likely to open for Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2022

Shakib and Rahim likely to open for Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2022

Bangladesh team management is thinking of employing experienced campaigners Shakib Al Hasan or Mushfiqur Rahim as an opener in the Asia Cup 2022. A six-team tournament that will take place from 27 August to 11 September in UAE. 

According to Bangladesh team director Khaled Mahmud Sujon, the 17-member contingent for the tournament consists of only two specialist openers in the form of Anamul Haque and Parvez Hossain Emon. 

Although Haque has been consistent at the top order in the recent outings, Emon was dismissed for two in his debut T20I fixture against Zimbabwe earlier this month. 

Sujon reckoned that the team will be mindful of Afghanistan's bowling attack to finalize their best opening pair, when they will feature for their tournament opener on August 30. 

With the presence of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in Afghanistan, the Tigers will require the presence of Shakib or Rahim at the top for the flourish in the powerplay overs. 

"It can be Mushfiqur Rahim. Or, you never know, even Shakib can open the innings. Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and Sheikh Mahedi can also open the innings. We have got a lot of options but we need to think about the team combination,"  said Mahmud to media.

"Keeping in mind Afghanistan's bowling attack, we need to fix who will open the innings for us," he added. 

Past experiences of Shakib and Rahim as an opener in T20Is

Rahim opened for Bangladesh in the shortest format against Afghanistan in 2019, wherein he was dismissed for five. 

Shakib opened for Bangladesh against West Indies in T20 WC 2021

On the other hand, Shakib opened for the Tigers in the T20 World Cup 2021 against West Indies, and could contribute only nine. 

It will be interesting to see if both these players can perform for the team, if given an opportunity again at the opening slot. 

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