The race to reach the Asia Cup 2023 final has started with the Super 4s. Pakistan have beaten Bangladesh in the first game of the Super 4s by 7 wickets. We have seen some amazing cricket in the group stages of the Asia Cup 2023. And some of the nail-biting games also happened during the group stages. Today, we will have a look at that, and reflect on some of the highlighting points from the group stages. So let’s dive into it quickly.
Pakistan’s leg has been completed
Pakistan got a chance to host 4 games in their own country after ACC (Asian Cricket Council) accepted the hybrid model suggested by the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board). Now, all 4 games have been done and dusted and the rest of the tournament will happen in Sri Lanka only.
Pakistan off to a winning start in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2023
The Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2023 have begun already. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in the first game by 7 wickets. After the bowlers, and particularly the pacers bowled Bangladesh out for just 193, the batters got Pakistan over the line with 7 wickets and 10.3 overs remaining.
Both Imam ul Haq and M Rizwan scored half-centuries in a run chase. Before that, the experienced duo of Shakib ul Hasan and M Rahim steadied the ship for Bangladesh from 47 for 4. But that was the only big partnership in the first inning.
Pakistan pace trio have performed as per the expectations
Pakistan’s strength coming into the Asia Cup 2023 is their pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. And they didn’t disappoint and showed their class in all three games.
Their bowling was too good for Nepal as they bowled Nepal out for just 104 runs. Against India, they got the 4 top-order Indian batters before 65 runs. Pandya and Kishan put on a 138-run stand for the 5th wicket.
But as soon as the pacers came back, India crumbled again and bowled out for 266. The rain didn’t give a chance to Pakistani batters to have a go in the run chase.
Pakistan added Faheem as well
Pakistan has strengthened its pace-attack even more. They added Faheem Ashraf as the 4th pace bowling option. And the results are there to see. Pakistan bowled Bangladesh out for just 193 runs.
They will go with the same attack when they meet Team India again in Colombo on September 10. Hope the rain stays away in that game.
Nepal’s first experience against big teams
Nepal has played very good cricket and qualified for the Asia Cup 2023. When they came into this tournament, we all knew that Nepal had to play out of their skin to beat India and Pakistan. It’s not about them winning. But to learn at this level.
Nepal has shown glimpses when they got 4 early wickets in Pakistan’s game. They also managed to reach 230 against India while batting. Although they lost both games, they will learn from this experience.
Sri Lanka’s excellence in the group stage even after losing some of the key players
Sri Lanka, the co-host of the Asia Cup 2023 has produced excellent performances against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the group stage.
They chased down a target of 164 against Bangladesh on a tricky wicket. And won a close-fought encounter against Afghanistan.
They will now play their first game in the Super 4s against Bangladesh on September 8 in Colombo.
Bangladesh also has some concerns with their batting
Bangladesh has to look into its batting department. Their batting has been very poor till now in the Asia Cup 2023.
They bowled out for 163 and 193 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively. Bangladesh are also missing the services of two of their key batters, Litton Das and Tamim Iqbal. But they will have to look into it very closely.
Afghanistan missed an opportunity
Afghanistan had the opportunity to be in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2023. After losing the first game against Bangladesh, they have to win and win big against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka set 291 for Afghanistan, which they have to chase down in 37.1 overs. When 3 needed off one ball, Mujeeb got out. Even after that, if Afghanistan could have reached 295+ in 38.1 overs, they could have qualified. But they were unaware of this situation. It’s a very big opportunity missed for Afghanistan.
Team India has a point to prove
India’s first game against Pakistan washed out without a result. And they won a rain-affected game against Nepal.
The Indian team didn’t even play the final in the last edition of the Asia Cup. They will look to rectify themselves in the Asia Cup 2023.
With WC coming up, winning the Asia Cup 2023 will give huge confidence to the team.
Conclusion
So these are some of the points we have discussed from the group stages of the Asia Cup 2023. What are your predictions for the Asia Cup 2023? Comment down below.
Thank you for reading. Keep following us for the latest updates.
