Finally the Asia Cup 2018 is done and dusted and won by a team who was unbeaten in the tournament, indeed it was a close encounter between India and Bangladesh, but win matters and it was won by Asia for the sixth time ODI formatted event, they also won only T20I formatted Asia Cup as well. As far as Bangladesh is concerned they lost their third Asia Cup Final out of last four Asia Cup tournaments played. We at Sports Fever 360 are going to chart out a team of Asia Cup 2018, who performed really well at their numbers and helped their team at various occasions in this tournament to win games. As numbers and stats are showing it was mostly watched Asia Cup in terms of on TV and Online.
No doubt we have more than 12 performers in this Asia Cup; we saw a brilliant hundred by Mohammad Shahzad, who can forget the brilliant partnership between Hong Kong’s openers Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan, Also Imam Ul Haq’s contribution to the Pakistan’s batting which was struggling throughout in the tournament.
Shikhar Dhawan
The India left handed opening batsman, can’t be ignored as his brilliant performance against all teams in the Asia Cup was laudable and the main reason about his inclusion in Team of Asia Cup is that he can provide an early impetus to the inning and can carry on to bat for longer time in the same inning. He has scored 342 runs in the Asia Cup 2018 played in UAE with the help of 127 was his highest against Hong Kong, he has also hit second ton of the tournament against Pakistan, in which he and his partner Sharma out-classed Pakistani bowling attack in a run-chase. Dhawan’s average in the tournament was 68 plus while his Strike Rate was over 102, these runs included 44 fours and 6 sixes.
Rohit Sharma (Capt)
We believe Sharma should lead the playing eleven of the Asia Cup, as he proved his worth as a leader once again; India rested their first choice captain Virat Kohli for this particular tournament. World knew his leadership skills with Mumbai
Indians in the IPL and he also lead the India team as well in which his win percentage is much impressive, which he proved in his decision making power and courage of taking initiatives which ended his campaign as a captain of a champion team of Asia Cup. Apart from his captaincy he proved his worth as an opening batsman in a great manner, in which he scored 317 runs with an average over 105 at an Strike Rate of 93 plus. He also played an unbeaten inning of 111 against Pakistan in super four round. He also scored two 50s in the tournament.
Hashmatullah Shahidi
23 years old youngster is a real asset and future for Afghanistan, who has all of the shots in his book, along with sense of playing those shots when required. His consistency in the Asia Cup was noticed and sense of responsibility which he took during every game was phenomenal, he scored 263 runs with the help of average of 65, his highest score was 97 not out came against Pakistan in super four’s first game. He is definitely a future for the Afghanistan team in the coming year and also for the Cricket World Cup 2019.
Mushfiqur Rahim
If we say it was him, who dragged Bangladesh team from a worst possible start of the Asia Cup to the final of the tournament. It won’t be a wrong statement. Mushfiq gave his team a Misbah Ul Haq kind of security in the middle order, contributed heavily with the bat also did a wonderful job behind the wickets. He scored 302 runs in the Asia Cup at an average of 60 plus with 144 Highest Score in the opening game against Sri Lanka.
Shoaib Malik
If we are to talk about Pakistani batting performance in the Asia Cup along with their bowling and fielding they all disappointed their fans, only the Malik who impressed everyone with his bat, he was their lone warrior in the middle order, who also drove them a close victory against Afghanistan, also scored runs against India in their both game, his total tally was 211 runs including 2 half centuries with 78 was his Highest Score.
MS Dhoni (WK)
This isn’t the first time MS Dhoni is included in a team of tournament, he always adds his flavor to the tournament whether it’s his batting or sharing cricketing knowledge from behind the stumps (when talking about field placements, taking reviews) his input matters and every Indian captain respects his opinion. He was the most successful wicket keeper in the tournament with 12 dismissals including 6 catches and 6 stumps. His final game’s contribution was notable one when he dislodged bells in no time on the bowling of the Kuldeep to get Liton Das who was batting at 121 and looking dangerous to post beyond 222 in the first innings of the Bangladesh.
Ravindra Jadeja
He got a surprise call from the team management as he wasn’t part of the original squad in the place of Hardik Pandya, who had some back issues during the game against Pakistan in first round. Jadeja grabbed this opportunity by his two hands and took 4 wickets in the first game of super four round against Bangladesh on his arrival to the Asia Cup. He finished with 7 wickets for 156 in 35 overs which he was able to bowl in his 4 Asia Cup games including final game. At an average of 22.28 and economy rate of 4.45 is a phenomenal achievement by a spinner, who was allowed to bowl in all power plays.
Rashid Khan
Number 1 ODI bowler, was also the top wickets taker in the completion made his entry to the team of Asia Cup. He bowled brilliantly in the whole tournament, but his last over in the super four round against India was rated as the top-most watch over in the recent history of the ODI game, in which he had to save few runs which ended on a tie. It was a first tie-game against India. He finished his tally to 10 wickets for 172 in 46.1 overs he bowled with his 3/46 was the best bowling figure at an economy rate of 3.72.
Mustafizur Rehman
The bowler from the Bangladesh nick named as a “FIZZ” bowled really well whether its first power play or its death over, he delivered good results for his team. He finished with 10 wickets for 185 in 42.0 overs. 4 for 43 was his best bowling spell of the tournament. His average was off 18.50 and the economy rate
was phenomenal for a bowler who had to bowl at the start and end of the inning was only 4.40 per over.
Kuldeep Yadav
Once he got a call up to his national side, he is not willing to waste any time to impress his fans and selectors, the young left arm wrist spinner impressed everyone with his variation and wicket taking ability. He finished his Asia Cup 2018 journey with 10 wickets for 237 in 58.0 overs; he was only third bowler who took ten wickets in the tournament. His best bowling figure was 3 for 45, his economy rate was also brilliant he bowls 4.08 runs per over.
Jasprit Bumrah
One of the top quality right arm fast bowler from India is picked in the team of the tournament as per his abilities, he was consistent with his pace and wicket taking abilities in the tournament, and he finished his Asia Cup with 8 wickets for 128 in 34.5 overs with 3 for 37 runs was his best bowling spell in the tournament. Most importantly his average was off 16.00 and also economy rate was off 3.67 for a fast bowler who done his bowling inside first or last power play is simply a superb effort by this young bowler.
Kedar Jadhav (12th Man)
Contribution of this player is superb in the way of taking wickets and giving important breakthroughs to his team, when captain required he delivers with an optimum results in the bowling, he took 6 wickets for only 139 in 35 overs at 3.97 economy rate. For an irregular bowler, who bowled 35 overs at brilliant economy rate a huge bonus for a captain, who is bowler short in the limited overs. With his bat he couldn’t contribute much, but during the crunch moment of the final he played an innings of 23 runs on a one leg (as he pulled of his hamstring) and become a catalyst to become a champion team.
NOTE: If you believe you have other team of the tournament, do share in the comment box.
If you are crazy for sports and have Passion to cover sports, this is your chance to become part of fastest growing Digital Sports Company in Pakistan Contact us on teamdigital@sportsfever360.com
Add Comment