Asia Cup | Inaugural game will be the most important one for us, says Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh is yet to win an Asia Cup despite qualifying for the finals of 2012 and 2016 editions of the championship and they will definitely try to turn the tables this time around in the UAE. Bangladesh is placed in Group B of this year's Asia Cup along with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. As per the format, the top two teams from each group will make it to the next round- Super Four.

Bangladesh will play Sri Lanka in the inaugural game of the Asia Cup on September 15 and in their second game, they will face Afghanistan on September 20 in the group stage. The Bangladeshi skipper considers their opening game against the Lankans important which will give them good chance to progress well in the tournament. Bangladeshi batsmen had struggled against the Afghan spinners during the T20I series in Dehradun.

''If you look at the bowling strength of Afghanistan and all-round potency of the Sri Lankans, anything can happen. So for us the opening game is the most important. If we can do well in the opening game we have a chance to progress further in the tournament.

''If we can win the opening match we are sure it will help us to handle Rashid and Mujeeb much better. But if don't do well in the opening game it will be even twice the more difficult to beat them so the first game will set the tone for us,'' said Mashrafe.

Bangladesh recently won a three-match ODI series 2-1 in the Caribbean islands. He said that a win against the Windies gave them a lot of confidence coming into the Asia Cup.

When asked about which team they think might trouble them, the Bangladeshi skipper said, ''I think every team is a threat for us.''