Asia Cup 2022 Championship: Bangladesh is weaker than Afghanistan - Dasun Shanaka & Mehidy Hasan Responds

Before the teams' clash on the field, Bangladesh's all-rounder Mehidy Hasan downplayed Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, who said that Afghanistan is a more difficult team than the Tigers. 

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka first commented, "Afghanistan has a world-class bowling attack. We know Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) is a good bowler. Shakib is a world-class bowler. But apart from them, there is no world-class bowler on the side. So if we compare with Afghanistan, Bangladesh is an easier opponent." 

In response to this statement, Mehidy Hasan said, "We will meet in the field and at that end of the day the good team will win the match and what I feel is that we have to prove it in the field because if we play well certainly everyone will know who is a good team and who is a bad team so instead of predicting before I think it is important to play well on the field." 

Can the runner-up beat the dark horse? 

Bangladesh has seen its T20I fortunes dip significantly in the past few months. In contrast, after losing a T20I series in Ireland, Afghanistan held their nerves to give a powerful act together against Sri Lanka in the first match of the Asia Cup. 

Afghanistan gave an all-round performance in the first fixture of the Asia Cup. From claiming quick wickets of Sri Lanka to a strong opening stand between Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, they were clinical in all departments. 

While Afghanistan showed a glimpse of an aggressive attitude, Bangladesh is coming after losing both white ball series in Zimbabwe earlier this month. But at that time Tigers were without Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, and both had been key match winners for the team. 

With the veterans making a comeback in Bangladesh's squad, the former runner-ups, though undergoing a lean phase, won't give an easy win to Afghanistan.

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