The Asia Cup 2023 is less than 20 days away with Pakistan and Nepal to kick start the tournament on August 30 in Multan. A total of 6 teams are participating in this competition. And today, we will be discussing the probable playing XIs of all 6 teams. So let’s dive into it quickly.
Groups in the Asia Cup 2023
There are two groups in the Asia Cup 2023. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, and Nepal. And Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. All the teams have very good players and the tussle to conquer Asia will not be easy for any team.
Let’s see the expected playing XIs of all the teams one by one.
India
One of the most favourite to win the Asia Cup 2023, Indian Cricket are going with some injury concerns. They still don’t have clarity on KL Rahul Shreyas Iyer’s fitness. Also, they will miss the services of Rishabh Pant due to the incident that happened with him last year.
Bumrah coming back with a back injury after a long time. The team will access him in the 3 Ireland T20Is.
KL Rahul to play the Asia Cup 2023
Some reports suggest that KL Rahul will be fit for the Asia Cup 2023. If he gets fit, he will automatically fit in the playing XI at No. 4. He will also keep wickets as well. If Rahul will not be fit enough, Ishan Kishan will get the nod.
Siraj over Shami
As far as pace bowling is concerned, if all are fit, M Siraj will partner Jasprit Bumrah. The way Siraj has been bowling for the last year or so is mesmerizing to watch. He is a go-to bowler for Team India. M Shami has to sit and wait for his turn despite doing so well.
India’s expected playing XI:-
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Other probable- Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer (subject to fitness)
Pakistan
As we are writing this article, Pakistan is the only team who announced their squad for the Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan will be one of the favourites to win the title.
Pace trio a threat to opposition
Pakistan has a pace trio of Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf. All three are genuine wicket takers and lethal in the death overs as well. They will make life difficult for the opposition batters.
They also have a settled and consistent top order, led by Babar Azam.
Pakistan’s expected playing XI:-
Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam (c), I Ahmed, M Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Other members of the squad –
Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, M Haris (wk), M Nawaz, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jnr.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has been in great form off-late after they win the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. They also qualified for the WC 2023 later this year. It will give him a lot of confidence going into the Asia Cup 2023.
Last edition winner
Sri Lanka is also the winner of the last Asia Cup held in 2022. It was in a T20I format, and SL won the final against Pakistan.
Home advantage
Most part of the Asia Cup will happen in SL. So it will help SL as they know the conditions very well.
Sri Lanka’s expected playing XI:-
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kushal Mendis (wk), Sahan Arachchige, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, M Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka
Other probable members–
S Samarawickrama, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, D Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha
Bangladesh
The Asian conditions always suit Bangladesh Cricket because they have some quality spinners. They also have some experienced batters in the line-up.
Shakib ul Hasan will lead Bangladesh in Asia Cup and WC 2023.
Bangladesh’s expected playing XI:-
Tanjid Hasan Tamim, M Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Shakib ul Hasan (C), M Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Other probable members–
Towhid Hridoy, Rony Talukdar, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud.
Nepal
It is a very big moment for Nepal cricket. They qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 after winning the ACC Premier Cup.
Nepal’s expected playing XI:-
Kushal Bhurtel, Arjun Saud (wk), G Malla, Rohit Paudel (c), Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami
Other Players-
Aasif Sheikh (wk), Dev Khanal, Pawan Sharraf, Lalit Rajbanshi, Aarif Sheikh, Kishore Mahato
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been the dark horse now in world cricket. They have a spin trio of Mujeeb, Rashid, and Nabi, which can be destructive, especially in Sri Lankan conditions.
Afghanistan’s expected playing XI:-
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), I Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hasmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, N Zadran, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Saleem Safi
Other players-
Riaz Hasan, Shahidullah Kamal, Ikram Alikhil, Zia ur Rehman, Wafadar Momand, Sayed Shirzad, Abdul Rahman
So these are all the squads for the Asia Cup 2023. Thank you for reading. Keep following us for the latest updates.
