Asia Cup Cricket Tournament 2016 has already commenced with the launching of the qualifying round of ICC associates. The business session is set to start in Dhaka from February 24 with host Bangladesh playing favorites India in the very first match.
Had it been played in 50 overs ODI format, Bangladesh could be tagged a games favorite as Bangladesh in recent times at home has proved to be an impregnable team winning all bilateral series against Zimbabwe, Pakistan, India and South Africa.
But it is for the first time, Asia Cup will be played on T20 format where Bengal tigers are still learning lessons. Nevertheless, known opposition, known condition will give the home team some edge and if they can exploit can prove to be fierce competitors. 
There are no reasons that ranking would matter big but it gives teams of higher ranking a mental boost. Bangladesh in recent times has won ODI matches and ever series against much higher ranked teams.
Although T20 is the briefest of the matches yet regular exposure to this format over the last few months have given Bangladesh and its think tank to work out some strategy. The first match of the tournament against favorite India is very important.
A winning start will put the home team in the right grove, which may not be impossible. All three sub continental neighbors have past proven records of winning the Asia Cup. The nearest Bangladesh could go was in 2012 when Bangladesh narrowly lost the heart breaking final to Pakistan by two runs. Of course that tournament was played on 50 overs format.
India and Sri Lanka are now playing bilateral series of T20 matches. Pakistan players are engaged in their PCL T20 tournament in UAE where Tamim, Shakib and Mushfique played in few matches.
In recent times, Bangladesh played four T20 matches against Zimbabwe at home. They won the first two matches comfortably. They broke the winning momentum experimenting with 5 new players in the third match.
Bangladesh lost both third and fourth matches letting Zimbabwe draw the series and themselves sinking deeper in T20 ranking.
However, very courageous performance of Bangladesh under-19 finishing third in Under-19 world tournament must have given heart to senior tigers. They definitely now owe to their juniors and the nation some pride and some respect.
Whatever may have happened in the past or whatever record books say Bengal tigers definitely have class, quality and skills in proving fierce competitors? Especially with a person like Mashrafe at their helm of affairs Bangladesh will not die wondering.
Absence of blaster Tamim Iqbal at the top ( on parental leave ) will put additional onus of Soumya Sarkar, Kayes and top order to shoulder additional responsibility for a controlled yet rollicking start.
The top all-rounder of the world Shakib must bat at number three in normal circumstances. Sabbir in recent times had some success at number three. But him and Nasir are ideal finisher and can bat at lower middle order leaving Mushfique and Mahmudullah consolidating good start or resurrecting in case of top order wobbling.
Shakib is the most experienced player in international T20 playing in different countries. It is more than justified giving maximum number of deliveries to the premium player.
Soumya is a blaster. Kayes is a cool customer. But they often misjudged singles in the past. We hope team management has ironed it out. In case of early break through Mahmudullah can be send ahead of Shakib to resurrect the innings.
Mahmudullah and Mushfique both are capable of rotating the strikes and changing gears when necessary. If middle order can reach somewhere in the region of 120-130 by the 15th over Sabbir, Nasir and Mashrafe can blast 50 in the last 5 overs reaching 175 plus if batting first.
On a wicket where match will start in the evening and played till mid night dew factor will come into play. Bowling first will matter especially if the team chooses to play with more spinners.
Bangladesh has four quality pacers. If all play, it will not matter whether Bangladesh bats first or second as crowd will come into play.
The surprise package of Mustafiz will need to be decoded by opponents. He has not played for a while and he is recovering from shoulder injury. A fully fit Mustafiz will cause big headache for all opponent.
Al Amin was in prolific form off late and so was debutant Abu Haider. Against India Taskin is always a success. What to tell about Maestro Mashrafe.
Even if he bowls one legged he can control at the top and in the crunch overs picking useful wickets. If the wickets have any life, Bangladesh has horses for the courses.
Shakib did not bowl well in PCL but he is a big occasion player and will definitely be in his elements with both bat and the ball. If necessary (depending on wicket), Sunny can be in the team replacing one pacer.
Otherwise, Nasir, Mahmudullah and Sabbir can be spinning mates of Shakib. If Mushfique does not feel comfortable to keep wickets, Nurul Hasan can be drafted in the side. But possibly thinking of the team combination in the first match both Sabbir and Nasir must play.
My team for the first match against India would be
Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim. Mahmudullah Riad, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Arafat Sunny/ Taskin Ahmed, Al Amin Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman
The wicket, weather and fitness of the bowlers must dictate the selection of playing eleven. I found no place for talented Abu Haidar. But he will eventually play at some stage for sure.
Bangladesh is definitely not the favorite to win the Asia Cup. But if they can prove their potential they can definitely emerge as the dark horse of the tournament.
BDST: 0949 HRS, FEB 22, 2016
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