All-rounder Mosaddek Hossain believes Bangladesh can channel the spirit of their 2019 tri-nation series victory as the squad gears up for an upcoming series in the United Arab Emirates. Facing Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, the team views this campaign as a vital stepping stone toward major international competitions like the Asia Cup and the next ODI World Cup. During a media session in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, October 15, Mosaddek emphasized that performing well as a collective unit during this tour would build essential confidence for the team’s future roadmap. If you talk about the 2019 tri-series, I would call it a source of inspiration. Seven years later, Mosaddek hopes that triumph will inspire Bangladesh ahead of another ODI tri-series.
The training camp at the Sheikh Abu Jayed Stadium saw a minor setback on Thursday as Mehidy Hasan was sidelined due to a mild fever. A team official clarified that the decision to rest the all-rounder was purely precautionary, noting, “Nothing serious as he was having a slight fever and as it was day practice he was just given rest.” I would say our preparation is good.
For Mosaddek, the 2019 tournament in Ireland—where he hit an unbeaten 52 in the final to seal the trophy against the West Indies—serves as a primary motivation. Reflecting on the competitive landscape of modern cricket, he warned that no opponent should be underestimated. “You cannot call any country or any team a small side. Everyone is performing very well in the ODI format recently. So, I think this is a challenge for us, to see how well we can perform here,” he remarked.
This series marks a significant turning point as it serves as the debut assignment for Litton Das as the nation’s full-time ODI captain. With the 2027 ODI World Cup looming, the team is focused on helping the new skipper define his leadership approach. Mosaddek praised Litton’s tactical acumen, noting that his experience behind the stumps as a wicketkeeper allows him to read the game exceptionally well. “He is a very exciting captain, and the way he reads the game while standing behind the stumps, as a wicketkeeper, is excellent. I think he will do well as captain, and as a team, Inshallah, we will prove that,” he added.
To ensure preparedness, the team held internal discussions to solidify player roles and expectations. According to Mosaddek, the coaching staff and the captain have provided clear instructions regarding individual responsibilities. Bangladesh is scheduled to launch their campaign against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi on October 17, followed by a clash with Afghanistan in Sharjah on October 21.
