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Saif Hassan took the centre stage at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium as the Bangladesh national team upstaged Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first game of the Super Four in the ongoing Asia Cup on Saturday.

Bangladesh chased down 168, their third biggest in history and highest since 2021, thanks to twin fifties from Saif and Towhid Hridoy. 

Saif, who was playing his second match of the tournament, added two fifty-run partnerships with captain Liton Das and Hridoy while opening the batting. 

He later credited Liton for help in the middle to stitch an innings of 61 runs from 45 balls, which consisted of two fours and four sixes. 

‘After the fall of the first wicket, our plan was to counterattack. It wasn’t a specific plan. But we [planned to handle them] in the team meeting very well,’ said Saif. 

‘I had good communication with Liton Das. He was able to anticipate what the next ball would be. He was helping and supporting me,’ he added. 

Liton took a backseat while Saif was hitting the balls nicely as Bangladesh added 59-1 in the powerplay, the second highest in the tournament. 

Liton couldn’t go big, as he was dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga to give Sri Lanka a boost in the middle overs. But Saif and Hridoy ensured that Bangladesh held all the cards in the chase. 

‘Hridoy and I had a good partnership. So I think we were ahead in the game in that position,’ said Saif. 

Saif, who recently made a comeback to the national side after a long layoff, carried his innings till the last of the 14th over, which gave the later batters breathers.  

‘Today’s innings was very special. I was able to contribute to the team. Alhamdulillah. Hopefully I’ll be able to do better,’ said Saif. 

Saif also stated that his hitting practice against the spin finally started to pay off. 

He said, ‘I worked on it. Now it’s being delivered. I’ve been working on it for a long time. Normally I try to hit the range with the spin hitting. 

‘Then I get the strength to play with the spin hitting. So that’s what I’m trying to deliver,’ he added. 

Everyone had the belief that we could play in the final. Two steps still ahead. We still have two matches left. The next focus is on the next match.

After a nervy first round, Bangladesh started the Super Four on a high. Naturally, the belief within the team will be increased. 

‘We have to dream big. But we have to move forward step by step. Our next match will be with India. We will be fully focused on that match,’ said Saif. 

Bangladesh will face India on September 24 before taking on Pakistan the next day. Both matches will be held in Dubai.