The Asia Cup will be back to its old 50-over format when the 16th edition of the regional cricket extravaganza kicks off in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30. As Bangladesh gear up for the six-team tournament under the leadership of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, The Daily Star Sport looks back at the Tigers' performances in the 2018 Asia Cup in UAE.

Third time unlucky for Tigers

It was another final in the Asia Cup and another heartbreak for the Tigers as India edged Bangladesh by three wickets in a last-ball thriller and clinched the title for a record seventh time at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh opener Liton Das produced his maiden ODI century but the rest of the batting was a no-show.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was left to rue a patchy batting performance that saw them slip up after being 120 for nought at one stage. But a combination of outstanding fielding from India and poor shot selection from Bangladesh stopped them for 222 runs.

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Tigers fall agonisingly short

"You have to look after the batting after a good start. We should have scored 250-260 on this wicket," Mashrafe had said after the match.

Chasing a target of 223, India were tested by a spirited Bangladesh bowling attack but eventually managed to win this game on the final ball of the innings as India's lower-middle order showed tremendous character.

Mashrafe handed Mahmudullah Riyad the ball with India needing six runs off six balls as Bangladesh skipper later said : "I asked Mahmudullah if he was confident. He had the experience of bowling in these situations in the last over in the BPL. Soumya would have been easier to score off. We wanted them to mishit one, and then you never know."

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Role reversals of the unwanted kind