সহকারী অধ্যাপক
২৯ আগস্ট, ২০২৩ ০৭:০৭ অপরাহ্ণ
Asia Cup kicks off as teams gear up for World Cup
Asia
Cup kicks off as teams gear up for World Cup
The
16th edition of the Asia Cup, a regional cricket tournament, starts on
Wednesday with the participating teams focusing on to have a fine tune ahead of
the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan will take on Nepal in the opening game
at Multan to kick-start the tournament.
This is the first time that the tournament is
being co-hosted by multiple countries, with four matches taking place in
Pakistan and the remaining nine in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan basically were the host of the
tournament but the political turmoil between them and India forced the event to
be shared by two countries.
India are the most successful team in the tournament, winning
it for seven times while Sri Lanka came second to them with six trophies.
Pakistan won the tournament only twice. Bangladesh
who of late had made them an ODI giant reached the final three times but failed
to win it.
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have each missed
one edition of the Asia Cup leaving Sri Lanka as the only team to have competed
in every tournament since 1984.
The format of the Asia will be ODI this time,
considering the ODI World Cup in India later this year. In fact the organisers
decided to hold Asia Cup according to the format of the World Cup since 2016.
Therefore the 2016 and 2022 Asia Cup was a T20 format tournament.
The decision was taken only to give the teams a
perfect preparation platform for the World Cup.
Last time when the ODI format Asia Cup held was
in 2018, a tournament in which Bangladesh moved to the final but despite a
blitzkrieg century of Liton Das, they failed to overcome an Indian juggernaut.
In 2022, which was T20 format Asia Cup, Sri
Lanka became champions. So, T20 format Asia Cup defending champion is Sri Lanka
while ODI format Asia Cup reigning champion is India.
Apart from Nepal, other five teams of the Asia
Cup will play World Cup and hence the tournament is crucial for them to sort
out their shortcomings and other problems.
But the eventual question is who will be the
favourite to clinch the trophy. On paper India are the strongest outfit while
Bangladesh of late proved they can win against any team in any condition now at
least in ODI format.
Sri Lanka had to play the Qualifier to confirm
their World Cup spot but their Asia Cup record is enviable.
Moreover, they will play at their own backyard
and needless to say, they will be tough nuts to crack even though most of their
crucial players will miss the tournament, either due to injury or due to
Covid-19.
Pakistan though are not historically successful
in Asia Cup, one simply can't write them off due to their unpredictable nature.
Moreover under the inspiring leadership of super
calm Babar Azam, they became one of the most consistent teams in the world.
Afghanistan lacked consistency in ODI format but
on their given day, they can beat any side in the world. Their batting depth is
questionable but they can amend batting failure with their world class spin
attack, led by Rashid Khan.
Nepal are the other team, who will be happy if
they can upset any side. But it is sure India and Pakistan will use their match
against Nepal only to prepare them for the big match.
However as per the stat since 2018 Asia Cup,
India and Bangladesh are the most successful teams amongst the six teams of
this tournament in ODI format of cricket.
In the last five years, India's winning ratio is
61.90 as they won 52 matches, playing 84 while Bangladesh's ratio is 59.09 as
they played 66 matches and won 39.
Pakistan's winning ratio is 52.63 after winning
30 matches in 57. Sri Lanka on 31 matches out of 71 and their winning ratio is
only 43.66. Afghanistan's winning ratio is 40.90 as they won 18 amongst their
44 matches.
Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast
bowler Wasim Akram meanwhile refused to pick any favourites for the tournament.
Akram said the road will be tough for all sides
but at the same time, he said Bangladesh and Sri Lanka shouldn't be taken
lightly as the both of the teams have the credential to clinch the trophy.
"Last time we had predicted an India versus
Pakistan final but Sri Lanka won the competition.
All three teams are dangerous - anyone can win
on their day," Akram told reporters during a tournament sponsor's event
"There are other teams competing too. Last time Sri Lanka won the title,
India even failed to make it to the final.
India versus Pakistan is very important, we know
about so much support (teams get), so many eyeballs, so many people
(following).
But other teams are also here to play so you
cannot minus Sri Lanka or Bangladesh," he added.