Asia Cup 2025: Jaker Ali Leads Bangladesh for First Time, Chooses to Bowl Against Unchanged India

Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali won the toss and opted to bowl first against India in their Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. This match marks Jaker’s debut as captain in T20 internationals and his first time donning the wicketkeeping gloves in the tournament, stepping in for Litton Das, who has been sidelined with a side strain.

With Litton unavailable, Parvez Hossain Emon returned to the XI and is expected to open the batting alongside Tanzid Hasan, while Saif Hasan is set to move down to No. 3.

Bangladesh made a total of four changes to the side that defeated Sri Lanka in their previous Super Fours fixture, revamping their bowling unit. Offspinner Mahedi Hasan and pace duo Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam were left out. In their place, Bangladesh brought in legspinner Rishad Hossain, fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and seam-bowling allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who is playing his first match of the tournament.

India, meanwhile, went in with an unchanged XI, continuing with the combination that served them well in their previous matches.

Playing XIs

India:

1. Abhishek Sharma

2. Shubman Gill

3. Suryakumar Yadav (capt)

4. Tilak Varma

5. Sanju Samson (wk)

6. Shivam Dube

7. Hardik Pandya

8. Axar Patel

9. Kuldeep Yadav

10. Varun Chakravarthy

11. Jasprit Bumrah

Bangladesh:

1. Tanzid Hasan

2. Parvez Hossain Emon

3. Saif Hasan

4. Towhid Hridoy

5. Jaker Ali (capt & wk)

6. Shamim Hossain

7. Mohammad Saifuddin

8. Rishad Hossain

9. Nasum Ahmed

10. Mustafizur Rahman

11. Tanzim Hasan Sakib

With both teams eyeing a place in the Asia Cup final, this match is a crucial step in their Super Fours campaigns. India remain unbeaten in the tournament so far, while Bangladesh will be hoping the leadership of new captain Jaker Ali and a fresh bowling lineup can help them pull off an upset.