Bangladesh find the belatedly positive effects of six-hitting prowess after being behind in that department for years.
The bright side of Bangladesh’s difficult transformation over the past two years is their significantly better big hitting in Twenty20 internationals.
The lowest of all Full Member nations, Bangladesh averaged 3.81 sixes per T20I innings from 2006 to 2023. In 2024, that number increased to 5.08, and in 2025, it improved even more to 7.73. In T20Is, they scored 238 sixes in 2024 and 2025 as opposed to just 130 in 2022 and 2023. They are recovering from a challenging start to the year thanks to the recent surge in sixes, which is a welcome change from their prior restraint.
Younger generation lead the charge
Bangladesh’s six-hitting revolution is led by middle-order batsmen Jaker Ali (27) and Shamim Hossain (24) and openers Tanzid Hasan (24) and Parvez Hossain (23). Nor is the younger generation dependent on a single or two release shots. They have a greater appetite for risk and a broader attacking repertoire. In Twenty20 Internationals, Bangladesh hit sixes every 9.5 balls between 2021 and 2023; in 2024–25, that number drops to 5.58.
Bangladesh’s senior assistant coach, Mohammad Salahuddin, believes that these four batters’ aim and belief in big hitting have inspired the others.
“There’s a lot of freedom for players to play their own game in the Bangladesh team,” Salahuddin told. “We know how (Tanzid Hasan) Tamim, (Parvez Hossain) Emon, (Towhid) Hridoy and Jaker (Ali) like to bat. They have an aggressive attitude. It has had an impact on the team. They are also improving technically so their abilities have become better, which in turn has made them more comfortable at the crease.”
Newer generation, new batting intent
Bangladesh’s initial six-hitter lineup will consist of Tanzid, Parvez, Jaker, and Shamim. Shamim made his T20I debut in 2021, the earliest of the four, while Jaker made his debut in 2023 and has the most experience (36 matches).
In T20 internationals, they averaged a six every 15.38 balls. For comparison, Bangladesh’s most renowned quartet—Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah—averaged 32.89 balls per six during their lengthy T20I careers, despite their sample size being significantly lower at the moment.
Shahriar Nafees said the change in personnel has made the difference. “These guys have grown up watching Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers so they grew up with the habit of hitting sixes. When our generation was growing up, we were told to keep the ball along the ground. It was the case for a very long time until Bangladesh’s batting line-up completely changed in 2024.
“We now have players who are technically sound when it comes to six-hitting. They have a strong base. There is no physical change in the players. It is just a change in mentality.”
The Big Test for Bangladesh
Although their progress in six-hitting is encouraging, Bangladesh and their ability to perform at the Asia Cup will be the true test. In the group stage, they play Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka, and they are accustomed to their bowling attacks. After defeating Sri Lanka in an away Twenty20 International series this year, Bangladesh’s first objective is to advance from Group B to the tournament’s Super Four stage. And they have the best chance if they continue to use their new and enhanced big-hitting strategy.