Finally, the much talked about Asia Cup 2023 originally scheduled to be staged by Pakistan in Pakistan is going to played in hybrid model at Pakistan and Sri Lanka though Pakistan remains the host.
The tournament featuring six teams from South Asia will have thirteen matches. Four matches will be played in Pakistan and the remaining nine depending on the outcome of group of four results will be played in Sri Lanka. Considering the ICC World Cup set to be staged in India at the end of the year Asia Cup will be played in ODI format. Nepal along with Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will feature in the tournament. Though India and Pakistan are considered favorites Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even Afghanistan are expected to cause some upsets. We in three installments will preview the tournament based on the recent forms of the team. Pakistan and Bangladesh have announced the squad. Other teams are expected doing the same by COB today. Most of the Pakistanis are playing in SPL after playing two matches test series against Sri Lanka. Pakistan will also play ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka. India is touring West Indies and another Indian team is scheduled for touring Ireland. Bangladesh last played ODI and T20 series against Afghanistan at home.
Pakistan, India and Nepal will feature in group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will fight out in Group B. Two top teams from each group will play in the group of four. Finally, two top teams will appear in the final.
Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi.
Based on recent form, fitness, and adaptability with Sri Lankan condition I will rate Pakistan the firm favorites for winning the Asia Cup. They possess a very potent and incisive bowling attack balanced with fast bowling and spin. Shaeen Afridi, Nasim Shah, Haris Rauf can torment any top order and wrap up the innings in the later stage. In Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam Ul Haq Pakistan has some of the leading inform ODI batsmen. They have brilliant young batsmen in Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha. Shadab Khan, Fahim Ashraf and Mohammad Rizwan are competent allrounders. In the recent past as seen in the test series Pakistan fielded brilliantly. This Pakistan team appears to have all avenues covered. We think Great Inzamam Ul Haq in his first major assignment has done a great job.
Bangladesh Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Litton Kumar Das, Tanjim Hasan Tamim, Nazmul Hossein Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Mehedy Hasan Miraj, Nasum Ahmed, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Ebadat Hossain, Mohammad Naim.
Bangladesh team was struck in some major controversies after their ODI captain Tamim Iqbal’s emotional announcement of retirement during ODI series against Afghanistan at home. However, upon interference of Prime Minister he returned but later was ruled out from Asia Cup for fitness issue. He off course announced his retirement as captain. BCB after some dilemma announced Shakib as captain. Tamim’s unavailability necessitated selecting two openers. BCB also finally decided to omit their veteran tried and tested batsman Mahmudullah Riad. Shamim Hossain and Afif were given preference. All other positions were filled by deserving players though choice between Nasum Ahmed and Taijul Islam can be questioned.
Bangladesh usually plays ODI cricket a bit better than the other two formats. The fabulous five along with some emerging quality players like Mehedi Miraj, Taskin Ahmed. Litton Das, Nazmul Shanto and very recently Tawhid Hridoy started showing dreams. Mashrafe is not there, Tamim is unavailable. Now BCBs decision of ignoring Riad may bounce back as boomerang. Litton is not in form. We are not sure young Bangladesh openers Tanjid Tamim or Naim will find playing Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf or Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Sami at all easy. If top order gets rattled all the pressure will come on Shakib, Mushfique and young Hridoy. Mahmudullah at late order will be missed. Afif or Shamim may struggle. Sri Lanka or Afghanistan are not also easy teams to beat. We still want Bangladesh competing strongly against Asian opponents.
A word or two for Mahmudullah Riad. Does he not match fit? If he was not to be considered for Asia Cup or World Cup, why BCB including its President always kept saying that Mahmudullah was in their plan? Why was he not given opportunity for getting back into his usual rhyme? It is not fair at all treating with a hero like this. What happens if players chosen in his position fail in Asia Cup? There will be hardly any time left for making amendments for the world cup. Coaches will come and go. But a quality player like Mahmudullah Riad will not be created every year. He had single handedly won many matches for Bangladesh. BCB may have to atone for the decision.
BDST: 1250 HRS, AUG 12, 2023
SMS
