Bangladesh finally see the power of hitting sixes

Bangladesh have had a tough time in transition over the last two years but one upside of this period is their vastly improved big hitting in T20 internationals.

Between 2006 and 2023, Bangladesh had averaged 3.81 sixes per T20I innings (the lowest among Full Member nations); in 2024, it rose to 5.08, and improved further to 7.73 in 2025. They hit 238 sixes in T20Is in 2024 and 2025, compared to only 130 in 2022 and 2023. The recent spike in sixes is a refreshing departure from their previous conservatism and is helping them emerge from a difficult start to the year.

They will hope their newfound aggression will improve their performance at the 2025 Asia Cup; they last made the finals in 2018 and have never won it.

Openers Tanzid Hasan (24) and Parvez Hossain (23), and middle-order batters Jaker Ali (27) and Shamim Hossain (24) are at the forefront of Bangladesh's six-hitting revolution. The younger generation isn't reliant on one or two release shots either. Their attacking repertoire is wider and their appetite for risk larger. Between 2021 and 2023, Bangladesh hit a six every 9.5 balls in T20Is; in 2024-25, their balls per six ratio is down to 5.58.

Mohammad Salahuddin, Bangladesh's senior assistant coach, is of the opinion that these four batters have influenced the rest with their intent and belief in big hitting.

"There's a lot of freedom for players to play their own game in the Bangladesh team," Salahuddin told ESPNcricinfo. "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."

Bangladesh have not had success by saving wickets up front to try and go big in the last four overs - they don't have any Asia Cup trophies and have never made the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.

Among the 12 Full Members from 2005 to 2023, they had the lowest sixes-per-innings ratio (3.81) and highest balls-per-six ratio (29.58). In the last two years, Bangladesh's average sixes per innings (6.10) and average balls per six (18.56) are better than Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Zimbabwe.

The improved big-hitting has impacted Bangladesh's overall batting stats. Between January 2021 and December 2023, they had the lowest run-rate (7.20) among Full Member nations. Although they remain well below par, their run-rate of 7.81 in the last two years is an improvement.

The quartet of Tanzid, Parvez, Jaker and Shamim will be known as Bangladesh's first group of six hitters. Of the four, Shamim had the earliest T20I debut (in 2021) while Jaker, who made his debut in 2023, is the most experienced (36 matches).

Together, they hit a six every 15.38 balls on average in T20 internationals. Though their sample size is much smaller at present, for perspective, Bangladesh's most famed quartet - Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah - averaged 32.89 balls per six over their long T20I careers.

"The big hitting is totally a natural process for these guys who have the ability to hit sixes," Salahuddin said. "Most of the guys have been playing in the same role for a considerable amount of time. They know what to do in those roles. They also train very purposefully, which is one of the major reasons why they have shown this improvement. They also play on far better pitches in domestic one-day cricket."

Shahriar Nafees, Bangladesh's first T20I captain who works in the BCB and also as batting coach for Rangpur Riders in the BPL, 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."

Nafees worked with Tanzid to improve aspects of his range-hitting in the previous two BPL seasons. "When we were working together a couple of seasons ago, I told Tanzid about a couple of things to keep in mind," Nafees said. "He could feel the change in his range hitting. In the next couple of innings, he made 70 and 116. Our trust grew, so we worked together on a few more occasions. Like during last season's BPL, we spent a couple of days talking about his batting in Sylhet. It led to his second century."

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo earlier this year, Jaker said Salahuddin had helped him understand the importance of a proper base and positioning for big-hitting.

"Jaker knows he will probably get to face 20 balls, so he has to hit a few sixes in this limited opportunity," Salahuddin said. "You will see him start in one way, and finish in another way. He has adapted pretty well."

Salahuddin said Shamim had improved his range of shots over the last four years. "I think he changed his mindset. He was adept at playing behind the wicket but it was up to the coaching staff to give him confidence to play in front of the wicket. I think he has also understood that he can play all around the wicket. It is a huge benefit to the team that we have two good finishers."

Nafees said the notion that big-hitting is not just about power was beginning to spread among the batting group. "As Bangladeshi batters, we feel that we should rip the ball into two pieces when we try to hit a six. I mean we try to hit the ball too hard. It is nothing like that. It is more about timing the ball."

Bangladesh have taken more risks during the powerplay in 2024-25 than they did in 2021-23. They have a better strike-rate (123.62) while hitting the ball down the ground in 2024-25 compared to 2021-23 (103.83). They are also hitting more sixes square of the wicket in 2024-25, with a slightly higher overall strike-rate in these zones too.

Bangladesh have improved their conversion rate for sixes when playing the pull, slog sweep or loft down the ground. For example, they used to hit a six once every 18 attempts at a pull shot in the 2021-23 period; that's now down to a six every 4.59 attempts at a pull shot in the 2024-25 period.

Once openers Tanzid and Parvez set the pace, the rest followed. As a result, Bangladesh are scoring at 7.5 in the middle overs in 2024-25 compared to 6.98 in 2021-23, and at 9.73 in death overs compared to 8.30 previously.

Bangladesh's improvement in six-hitting is encouraging but the test is whether they will be able to pull it off at the Asia Cup. They face Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the group stage and they are familiar with those bowling attacks. Having already beaten Sri Lanka in an away T20I series this year, Bangladesh's first goal is to get out of Group B and into the Super Four stage of the tournament. And their best chance is to stick to their new and improved big-hitting approach.