New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) Rizan Hossan, a seam-bowling all-rounder from Bangladesh, considers the forthcoming U19 Men’s Asia Cup, commencing in the UAE this Friday, as an ideal opportunity for the defending champions to prepare for next year’s World Cup, set to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

“Bangladesh is performing remarkably well in each match so far. During this tournament, we aim to concentrate on our processes step by step and strive for the title. This event holds significant importance as it serves as a major competition before the World Cup,” Hossan remarked in an exclusive interview with IANS, facilitated by Sony Sports Network.

“We possess a strong team, and facing formidable opponents like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka makes this an excellent platform for World Cup preparation,” he added.

Bangladesh enters the tournament as the defending champions after triumphing over India in last year’s final, which followed their 2020 U19 World Cup victory against the same team.

While a match against India awaits in the later stages, Bangladesh must first conquer Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in their Group B fixtures.

Hossan’s confidence is soaring, bolstered by impressive performances, including a century in England, a score of 95, a five-wicket haul against South Africa, and a notable 75 not out along with figures of 2-54 against Afghanistan.

“I feel highly confident and aim to replicate my performance against South Africa in the upcoming matches. I am certain I can contribute across all three facets of the game: batting, bowling, and fielding,” he stated.

As a rare fast-bowling all-rounder, Hossan is a vital asset to the team. “My cricket journey began in my district Tangail, and I hail from the Dhaka division. I progressed through the academy, division, and age-level cricket, eventually reaching the national level for under 15, 17, and 19, leading to my selection here,” he explained.

The support from his family has been essential to his success. “My family, especially my father, has always been my pillar of strength. My two older brothers are also cricketers who participate in division competitions, providing me with substantial assistance,” said Hossan, who is proficient in both Hindi and English in addition to his native Bengali.

The Bangladesh coaching staff's commitment to honing his all-round skills has yielded positive results. “Our coaching team is incredibly supportive. They allocate ample time for me to work on batting, bowling, and fielding, providing numerous options. I am a dedicated individual who constantly seeks to learn and focus on the game. With their guidance, I strive to deliver the best performance for my team,” he explained.

Hossan’s batting approach showcases maturity beyond his years. “I focus on playing ball by ball, managing situations effectively, and avoiding unnecessary risks. Staying calm on the field and setting smaller targets like 10-20 runs simplifies the process,” he noted.

His preparation for the U19 Men’s Asia Cup has been thorough. “I practiced various aspects for the upcoming Asia Cup, with a particular focus on facing spin bowling. I developed new shots for back-of-the-length deliveries and the leg side. For bowling, I am concentrating on maintaining consistent loads,” he mentioned.

Hossan draws inspiration from England’s Test captain and fellow seam-bowling all-rounder, Ben Stokes. “I admire his attitude in batting, bowling, and captaincy. That’s why he is my idol and favorite player,” he shared.

As the tournament approaches, Hossan concluded with optimism about securing another Asia Cup title. “We are confident and well-prepared as a team. Our focus is on perfecting the fundamentals. We’ve trained together for a year or two, fostering strong team bonding. To our fans back home, please pray for us and support us during the matches. We will strive to deliver our best,” he affirmed.

Catch the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 live on Sony Sports Network from December 12-21 across Sony Sports Ten 1 and Ten 2 SD & HD channels, and stream live on Sony Liv.