Updated: 02 September 2023
5 Players To Watch Out For In Asia Cup 2023. On August 30th, the 16th season of Asia’s largest cricket competition, the Asia Cup, is slated to commence and the tournament will continue until September 17, 2023. For the first in the history of the tournament, it will be hosted using a hybrid format.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will host the 50-over format Asia Cup 2023 in a hybrid model. In total 13 matches will be played, of which 4 will be played in Lahore, Pakistan and the rest 9 will be played in Sri Lanka (In Kandy and Pallekele). It is also be noted that India vs Pakistan will also be played in Sri Lanka.
Team India will start its Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rival Pakistan on Sep 2 at Kandy. Pakistan crushed Nepal by 238 runs in the opening match of the tournament on August 30 at Multan. India will play all its matches in Sri Lanka only.
Let’s take a look at some players that should be watched out for at the Asia Cup 2023.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: Most Runs, Most Wickets In The Tournament
Also Read: 5 Players To Watch Out For In ODI World Cup 2023
5 Players To Watch Out For In Asia Cup 2023
5) Babar Azam
The 28-year-old Pakistan captain Babar Azam is in excellent form nowadays. In the last few months he not only scored but under his captaincy team won two consecutive series. Pakistan team beat Sri Lanka by 2-0 in the WTC test series at their home and then they whitewashed Afghanistan by 3-0 in the ODI series at Sri Lanka.
4) Mohammad Rizwan
The Pakistani wicket-keeper and right-handed batsman made his debut In April 2015, in One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh. He is the only player who has made the fastest 2000 runs in a calendar year in T20Is. Rizwan has also won the most runs award in Asia Cup 2022 which makes him one of the 5 contenders to watch out for.
This year, Rizwan has made 343 (his highest in a year) runs in 8 matches in ODIs with an astonishing 68.60 average. Md Rizwan is one of the most venerated players on Pakistani soil. Rizwan’s consistency and solidity at the top of the order turned what may have been a Pakistan vulnerability into a Pakistan strength.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: Team India Players List, Squad, And All Players ODI Stats
3) Shubman Gill
Team India’s young gun has made his name known with his hard-hitting batting prowess. He played in India’s fourth One Day International (ODI) match of the series against New Zealand on January 31, 2019, marking his ODI debut. Gill has made 3 hundred and 4 double-hundred in the span of 3 and half years.
In 2023, Gill made 624 runs in nine matches with an unbelievable average of 78.00. The right-handed top-order batsman is known for his temperament and match-winning knocks. Gill has also won the orange cap in IPL 2023 by smashing 890 runs, the second-highest score in a single IPL season. It would be interesting to see Gill in the Asia Cup, given his batting performance.
2) Mohammad Siraj
India’s emerging star in fast bowling, Mohammad Siraj has done some amazing work with his bowling skills. Born in 1994, the right-arm faster made his ODI debut in January 2019 against Australia. In ODIs, Mohammad Siraj has bagged 43 wickets in 24 matches with an amazing economy rate of 4.78.
Siraj was ranked first in the ICC ODI Bowlers Rankings on January 21, 2023. However, in the latest ICC’s ODI Bowling Ranking, Siraj got the 2nd position. Known for his temper on the field, fearsome attitude, and exceptional bowling skills, Siraj could be a game-changer for India in the Asia Cup.
1) Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is often regarded as the greatest player in the world. His name is taken with some of the cricket legends like Sir Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Ricky Ponting. The right-handed batsman made his debut against Sri Lanka in August 2008 and is recognized for his outstanding abilities on the field.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: How To Watch It For Free, Format, Schedule, Television And Live Streaming Details
Virat first played Asia Cup (ODI) in 2010, and since then, Virat has scored 613 runs in 10 innings at an average of 61.3 and a high score of 183. However, in Asia Cup 2022 (T20I) Virat was the 2nd highest run scorer. He scored 272 runs in 5 matches. Moreover, in this year (2023), Virat has made 787 runs in 15 ODI matches in which he has made 3 centuries.
To perform consistently under duress along with a tremendous skill set and unrivaled dedication, Virat has established himself as a true icon of one-day international cricket.
