Bangladesh will travel to the UAE this week chasing a slice of age-group history: a third consecutive Under-19 Asia Cup title. They have won the previous two editions—both in the Gulf—and arrive as defending champions once again after a year of heavy preparation, overseas tours and a high-volume match schedule reminiscent of their 2020 World Cup-winning campaign.

Yet head coach Naveed Nawaz, the architect of that famous 2020 triumph, insists Bangladesh cannot afford to become prisoners of expectation. For Nawaz, the messaging is clear: stay disciplined, trust the processes and enjoy the cricket.

“I hope not,” he said after the team photo session when asked whether the weight of a potential hat trick trophy winning opportunity could overwhelm his players. “I was just telling my boys… it’s going to be just another tournament, and it all depends on which team plays better on the day.”

“We were discussing the processes we have put in place. The main thing is to enjoy everything during the Asia Cup and work together as a team. Make sure no one is left alone, enjoy each other’s success, and when pressure comes, we should be able to come on top,” he added.

Bangladesh’s squad announcement brought its own storyline, with all-rounder Debashish Sarker—part of the group from day one—dropped to make room for Sk. Parvez Rahman Jibon, a 2024 U-19 World Cup player.

“Jibon was always someone the team invested in because he was eligible for the next World Cup,” Naveed explained. “He has played NCL, he has experience. So when the all-rounder spot opened, the composition suited Jibon a bit more.”