Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed believes Bangladesh can win the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to get underway Wednesday.
The Bangladesh one-day international team left here for Colombo Sunday for the six-nation tournament.
Opening batter Liton Das however, could not travel with the team due to fever.
Young pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib was also not part of the contingent.
The right-arm paceman was a last-minute addition to the fold as a replacement for the injured Ebadot Hossain and will travel by a later flight due to travelling complications.
Star fast bowler Taskin said Bangladesh can achieve success for the first time if the team can play to their potential.
Bangladesh till date have played three Asia Cup finals, but never won the trophy.
“Our focus is to play the final of the Asia Cup. I will be personally very happy if we can reach the final and are able to play as a team. Please pray for us. Obviously, we wish to finish as the champions but the chief aim is to play good cricket since we have the World Cup coming in just about a month. If we can play our best cricket, it’s possible to finish as the champions in the Asia Cup,” said Taskin to the media at the airport in Dhaka Sunday.
Placed in Group B, Bangladesh in their first game of the Asia Cup will take on Sri Lanka at Pallekele Thursday.
The team will then travel to Pakistan for their second match against Afghanistan in Lahore next Sunday.
The top two teams of each group will progress to the Super 4 stage, with Group A featuring India, Pakistan and Nepal.
