'They’ve got some really nice variety in their bowling line-up', Netherlands assistant coach on Bangladesh

The Netherlands' assistant coach Ryan van Nikerk believes Bangladesh's growing consistency with the bat and the variety in their bowling attack will serve them well when they head into the Asia Cup later this month.

After his side slumped to a series defeat against the Tigers in Sylhet, Nikerk was quick to highlight the strengths that make Bangladesh a formidable unit both in their own conditions and beyond.

"The consistency that Bangladesh is showing with the bat, I think, is going to put them in a good place (in the Asia Cup)," Nikerk said.

"They've got some really nice variety in their bowling line-up. They've got Taskin who bowls 135 kmph plus, and then they've got the Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman), who's got all that variety that he brings to the table. And they've got some Mahedi, whose off-spin is really valuable with the new ball and he can bowl sort of anywhere in the innings."

For Nikerk, that balance between pace and spin gives Bangladesh a competitive edge. "When you look at the variety of the attack, I think they're always going to be competing," he said.

Bangladesh's recent series against the Netherlands saw several young batters, including Tanzid Hasan, step up with maturity and aggression.

Nikerk feels that is another promising sign for the Tigers as they prepare to test themselves against tougher opposition in the Asia Cup.

"If some of the young batters can stand up, as some of them have in this series, I think that gives them a really good chance going into the Asia Cup," he added.