The Asia Cup 2023 started with Pakistan and Nepal playing the tournament opener in Multan. Pakistan Cricket Team won the 1st match by 238 runs. In the 2nd game of Asia Cup 2023, Sri Lanka beat the Bangladesh Cricket Team by 5 wickets.
Today, we will talk about who will be the favourites to win Asia’s most competitive cricket tournament this time. We will analyze the teams and see who has the best chance. So let’s start.
6 teams divided into 2 groups: Asia Cup 2023
There are two teams in the Asia Cup 2023 divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, and Nepal. While Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Now, let’s see the teams one by one.
Sri Lanka – The current Asia Cup winners
Sri Lanka is the current winner of the Asia Cup. Last time, when the tournament was played in 2022, Sri Lanka won the title by beating Pakistan in the final. Unlike last time, the tournament will be played in ODI format this year.
Injury blows for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is facing some injury blows before the Asia Cup 2023. Their bowling options have been depleted because of that. Wanindu Hasaranga, D Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, and Dilshan Madhushanka are the absentees in the Asia Cup 2023 squad.
Kusal Perera is also going through a recovery from COVID-19 infection. But he is expected to join the squad before the tournament.
Less chance for Sri Lanka this year
With so many first-choice options not there, the Sri Lankan team is looking less threatening. Their chance to defend the title is less. But you can not underestimate a team like Sri Lanka. They are playing at their home and could be dangerous.
Though Sri Lanka won the match against Bangladesh by 5 wickets. They still have to beat in form Pakistan and India in Super 4s. With the home advantage, the Sri Lanka Cricket team has the calibre to beat India & Pakistan.
Bangladesh might surprise us this time
Bangladesh has grown over the years. Especially in the ODI format. They have cracked the code of this format with so many quality spinners in the team.
Bangladesh has some quality spinners in the team and could be dangerous in these spinner-friendly conditions.
A mix of some experienced players and youngsters
Bangladesh has some experienced players in the team like Shakib ul Hasan, M Rahim, L Das, M Rahman, etc. Their experience will be vital for the team. Also, they have some youngsters in the team who have done well recently.
Bangladesh reached the final when the Asia Cup was played in the ODI format last time in 2018. Unfortunately, they lost the close final against India. They will look to go one step further this time.
Bangladesh could surprise us in the Asia Cup 2023. No one will take them for granted.
Afghanistan also has a quality spin attack
If Afghanistan somehow found a way to bat well, they have the bowling to win them a few games. Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, M Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will make life difficult for the batters.
Also, they have Noor Ahmed waiting in the wings. Their fast bowling might look less potent, but the spinners will be crucial for them in the Asia Cup 2023.
Pakistan’s pace attack – the key to their success
Just like Afghanistan’s spin trio, Pakistan has a pace trio of Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. All three are out-and-out wicket-takers with so much skill and ability.
If Pakistan has to win the Asia Cup 2023, their fast bowling will have a big role to play. Their top 3 batters have also firing for them in the last few years. It’s just their middle order that has some concerns.
But Pakistan will be one of the favourites to win the Asia Cup 2023.
An opportunity for Nepal
It’s a very big moment for Nepal cricket. They have qualified for the Asia Cup 2023 after winning the ACC’s Men’s Premier Cup. It is a very good opportunity for them to show the world and a step forward to grow in the future.
India – one of the favourites to win the title
Team India are the most likely favourites to win the Asia Cup 2023. They have the balance in the team with the proper batting lineup and the bowlers in the team.
They might look to strengthen their batting by playing either Axar Patel or Shardul Thakur in the playing XI, but they have to sit out one of the three best pacers out of Shami, Siraj, and Bumrah. But still, they have the best chance of winning the title.
So who will win the Asia Cup 2023 title?
We have picked India and Pakistan as the firm favourites to win the title. But India is the team we have picked as the best to win the tournament. They have the best team on paper and have the right balance in the team as compared to Pakistan.
But these are just predictions. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day. What are your predictions for the Asia Cup 2023? Comment down below.
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