As the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 draws near, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly keeping an eye on the squads that each participating nation is assembling for this highly competitive event. The tournament, slated to take place from August 30 to September 17, will unfold across two host countries, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. With the excitement building up, let’s delve into the squads that have been revealed so far and the prospects they bring to the table.
The journey to the Asia Cup has been characterized by delays and uncertainties, but the schedule and venues were finally confirmed last month. In light of India’s decision to avoid playing in Pakistan, the matches have been divided between the two host nations. Pakistan will welcome four matches, while Sri Lanka will host nine games across four venues, namely Multan, Pallekele, Lahore, and Colombo.
The tournament will feature six prominent teams vying for glory in the one-day format. The participating nations include hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as cricket giants India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. To further intensify the competition, the teams have been divided into two groups of three. Group A encompasses India, Pakistan, and Nepal, while Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
In the initial stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Fours round, setting the stage for some intense battles. As the cricketing action progresses, all eyes will be fixed on the R Premadasa Stadium, where the grand finale is scheduled for September 17. This climactic match will determine the ultimate champion from the top two teams of the second round.
Here’s a closer look at the squads unveiled by Pakistan and Bangladesh:
Pakistan Squad:
- Abdullah Shafique
- Fakhar Zaman
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Tayyab Tahir
- Saud Shakeel
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Mohammad Haris
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Usama Mir
- Faheem Ashraf
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Wasim
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen Afridi
Bangladesh Squad:
- Shakib Al Hasan (captain)
- Litton Das
- Tanzid Tamim
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
- Towhid Hridoy
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Taskin Ahmed
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Hasan Mahmud
- Sheikh Mahedi
- Nasum Ahmed
- Shamim Hossain
- Afif Hossain
- Shoriful Islam
- Ebadot Hossain
- Naim Sheikh
While the squads of India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Nepal remain to be announced, the excitement surrounding the Asia Cup 2023 continues to build. With cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the event, the world will soon witness the convergence of talent, teamwork, and determination as the teams battle for supremacy on the Asian cricket stage.