The Asia Cup 2022 event will kick off from August 27 onwards. For the second time in the competition’s history, the tournament will be held in the T20 format. India, who are the most successful side, won the inaugural T20I event in this competition. India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are already set to participate. A sixth team will join after winning the qualifying round. India and Pakistan are placed in the same group. Group B is tricky, featuring SL, BAN, and AFG. There are some high-profile players in these sides taking part in the tournament. We decide on 10 players to watch out for in the tournament.
Virat Kohli (India)
India’s star batter Virat Kohli has been battling poor form for a while now. The Asia Cup 2022 is a big tournament for the celebrated T20I batter. Kohli was rested for the West Indies tour and is also not a part of the Zimbabwe tour. He will be keen to start strongly, despite not being among the runs. Kohli has scored 3,308 T20I runs at 50.02. He would aim to make his presence felt and make a lasting impression for the side.
Hardik Pandya (India)
India need Hardik Pandya to be at his absolute best. The all-rounder has finally picked up form, keeping injuries at bay. Pandya solves a lot of issues for India in the middle-order with the bat, besides being the third pacer. Pandya is India’s match-winner, and he can make a real difference. He has taken 50 wickets, besides scoring 832 runs in total.
Babar Azam (Pakistan)
The number one ranked batter in T20Is, Babar Azam can go on to win the trophy for his side. A champion performer across formats, Babar has been among the runs. He will form a deadly opening combination with the aggressive Mohammad Rizwan. Babar has amassed a total of 2,686 runs and is the sixth-highest scorer. Consistency is what Babar is all about.
Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
Shaheen Afridi is currently having fitness concerns but is likely to return in time for the Asia Cup. The left-arm pacer caused all sorts of problems in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2021 against India and Pakistan to face their arch-rivals on August 28. Shaheen Afridi has claimed 47 scalps in T20Is at 24.31. He is nearing the 50-wicket mark. He is in line to become the 10th Pakistani bowler to claim 50 or more wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
Shakib Al Hasan will lead Bangladesh in the Asia Cup leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup in October. Shakib is a vital force; who could help Bangladesh in this tourney and use the leadership experience during the World Cup. Shakib has the most T20I wickets (121) at 19.95. He is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is and has also scored 2,000-plus runs. He is one of the most sorted T20I specialists out there.
Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
Mustafizur Rahman is another class act in both PP and death overs. With plenty of variations and range on offer, Fizz can be influential. He has excellent slower balls up his sleeves too. If Bangladesh are to step up and go far, Fizz will need to claim regular wickets. He is the leader of the attack. He has claimed 91 wickets and is one of the 8 bowlers in T20Is to do so.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s main asset with the ball. At a young age, he is already the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket and is also the third-highest wicket-taker in T20Is behind Shakib and Tim Southee. Rashid is another big player who promises consistency and character. A fearless cricketer, Rashid can trump opposition teams with his mastery in middle overs.
Mustafizur Rahman is another class act in both PP and death overs. With plenty of variations and range on offer, Fizz can be influential. He has excellent slower balls up his sleeves too. If Bangladesh are to step up and go far, Fizz will need to claim regular wickets. He is the leader of the attack. He has claimed 91 wickets and is one of the 8 bowlers in T20Is to do so.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s main asset with the ball. At a young age, he is already the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket and is also the third-highest wicket-taker in T20Is behind Shakib and Tim Southee. Rashid is another big player who promises consistency and character. A fearless cricketer, Rashid can trump opposition teams with his mastery in middle overs.
Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan)
Another Afghanistan star who has the pedigree to do well at the top. The dashing top-order batter promises substance with his range of hitting. In 28 T20Is, he has 867 runs for the Afghans and is nearing the 1,000-run mark. Zazai has a strike rate of 144.50. He can play the big shots and give his side the desired start.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
Hasaranga has already made a name for himself in the international circuit. He is a big-match player and is always among the wickets. He can ball at different phases of the game, and like Rashid, his impact is massive. Hasaranga already has 62 wickets at an average of under 15 and is one of the star attractions in the tourney. He had a superb IPL 2022 campaign for RCB.
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka)
Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka is all about spirit and defiance. He not only picks wickets but is an able force to fall upon when his team needs him. Shanaka helped Lanka against the Aussies. He has 1,015 runs in T20Is, striking at 116.67. The senior player has racked up 18 scalps with the ball at 24.00. He brings plenty of value to any side.
