Asia Cup 2018 Top Players to Watch Out For: Rohit Sharma to Hasan Ali to Rashid Khan, Meet the Game Changers in UAE
It is a worthy exercise to have a look at the top five players that the opposition should be wary of at Asia Cup 2018.
Asia Cup 2018, which begins from September 15 in the UAE, is going to be a challenge and opportunity for not just the teams competing against each other, but also the players in the same team. This because the 2019 World Cup is less than a year away and all the teams will see the tournament as a chance to prove their supremacy against each other. A lot is at stake for the players as remarkable performances are bound to get noticed and can earn the player a spot in the World Cup squad. Asia Cup Cricket 2018 Schedule in PDF Download: Time Table and Venue of Asia Cup Cricket Including India vs Pakistan Fixture.
Similarly, established names in the side will also feel the pressure to perform in the build up to the 2019 World Cup. It is therefore a worthy exercise to have a look at the five top players that the opposition should be wary of in Asia Cup 2018. Asia Cup 2018: Indian Cricket Team's History and Past Performances at the Tournament.
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma's average in the 183 one-day internationals he has played is 44.98. His highest score in an innings is 264, which is an international record beside the fact that he is the only batsman to have three double hundreds to his name. The point being, Sharma is one of the most destructive batsmen in one day international.
Many cricket commentators believe that it was captaincy that changed Sharma's and the Mumbai Indians' fortune in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rohit will be the captain in Virat Kohli's absence in Asia Cup and only makes him even more dangerous because the 'Hitman' relishes captaincy, as evident in the IPL. Virat Kohli Rested for Asia Cup 2018: 5 Reasons Why Team India Will Miss Their Captain!
2. Hasan Ali
The 24-year-old Hasan Ali has shown what he is capable of doing with the ball. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Pakistan has picked up 68 wickets at an average of 20.88 from the 33 one-day international matches he has played.
Ali is not just famous for his wild and signature style celebration after taking wickets, but also for the knack of picking wickets at crucial stages. Pakistan has a long bowling line-up in the Asia Cup squad with names like Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi and Junaid Khan, which means that Hasan Ali has ample support from the other end to rattle batsmen in middle overs. Asia Cup 2018: Pakistan’s Fast Bowler Hasan Ali, As per Yo-Yo Test Score, Is Much Fitter Than Virat Kohli.
3. Shakib Al Hasan
One can't leave out Shakib Al Hasan from the equation as far as the Bangladesh team is concerned, irrespective of the format. The all-rounder and slow left-arm orthodox spinner has 237 wickets to his name and has scored more than 5,000 runs in the one-day internationals.
Though his recent form in the past few one-day internationals hasn't really been great, it does not take away anything from the senior player. A good fielder too, Shakib will look make a mark and prove to be Bangladesh' Talisman at the Asia Cup.
4. Lasith Malinga
The senior Sri Lankan has been recalled to the national squad and will be playing an international match after almost a year. But Malinga has been part of the domestic T20 cricket in Sri Lanka and the Asia Cup is his biggest chance to prove that he still has it in him to take wickets at will so as to cement his place in the World Cup squad.
Akila Dananjaya is set to miss the first two games of the tournament and Dinesh Chandimal's hairline fracture has made him doubtful for the tournament. This will make Malinga crucial not just for Sri Lanka's bowling but also for guiding the team in crucial stages.
5. Rashid Khan
The latest spin sensation, Rashid Khan, will be closely followed and his performance scrutinised not just by fans but also by the batsmen of the opposing teams.
Rashid Khan's performance in IPL 2018 and in the recently concluded series against Ireland has been terrific. All eyes will be on the spinner from Afghanistan as he looks to amaze world cricket in UAE. Asia Cup 2018 will indeed be a tournament as these names will look to make an impact.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2018 11:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).