Thursday 20 February 2014
Can Pakistan retain Asia Cup, Asia Cup 2014 bangladesh
Asia Cup, the most cherished cricket tournament played among the asian teams and the one which decides which is the better cricket team among India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, is currently held by Pakistan team who won it last time.
Question is "Can Pakistan retain the Asia Cup?" ODI Tournament starts on Feb 25, 2014 with a day-night ODI match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Fatullah. While Pakistan has done well last time by winning the cup by beating hosts Bangladesh in finals in 2012 edition of tournament, it is India who has always been the major contender to win the cup. India has won the tournament the most times (5). India appeared in every Cup apart from the 1986 (India pulled out due to strained cricketing relations with Sri Lanka), 1993 (when it was cancelled due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan).
Based on current form Pakistan look good to become champions once again. India has been poor in one day cricket and have recently got beaten by New Zealand team who is ranked at number 7 in ICC ODI cricket rankings for the teams. Sri lanka, although has won most matches on their current tour to Bangladesh, but matches have been quite close and they don't look to stand a chance against Pakistan or India.
Pakistan will also take confidence from good showing against a powerful south african side. Pakistan beat South Africa 2-1 in a 3 match series held in Nov'13.
The major hurdle for pakistan, despite poor form recently, will be india. India have always managed to do well against pakistan in major tournaments. Zaheer Abbas, former paksitan captain and newly-appointed Pakistan cricket consultant warned Pakistan for complacency against India."It would be a mistake to judge the Indian team on basis of their recent performances because the conditions are totally different in Bangladesh," said Zaheer Abbas. Also since india will be playing in familiar conditions one cannot count them out. Of course India are current ODI world cup champions and they won it in asia. There is always that pressure of a Indo-Pak match so it is going to be difficult for both teams regardless of their recent results.
Pakistan remains the strong bowling side with spinner Saeed Ajmal providing edge to the bowling department over other two teams. They always have good battery of fast bowlers and can make impact, even though pitches will not suit them. Biggest worry for Pakistan cricket team remains their batting which has struggled in recent past, especially chasing targets in ODI matches. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq will hope to win the toss and bat first in every match.
Pakistan Squad for Asia cup - Pakistan team has following set of players to select their starting 11 -
Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Abdur Rehman, Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Fawad Alam, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal (wk), Umar Gul
Squad has good mix of new and experienced players. Pakistan cricket fans will be hoping for 'boom boom' Shahid Afridi to come good and set up victories for the team. Much will depend on good starts from opening batsmen 'Ahmed Shehzad' and his partner, as well.
Good news for Pakistan is that MS Dhoni is out of the tournament and Virat Kohli will captain India in Asia Cup. As per official tweet from@ BCCI "MS Dhoni has been ruled out of the forthcoming Asia Cup due to Grade I left side-strain injury sustained during 2nd NZ Test. Virat to lead. MSD will be undergoing rehabilitation for ten days. Dinesh Kartik has been named his replacement in the squad for Asia Cup."
MS Dhoni in the past has hurt both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, other favorite to win the tournament, badly beating them almost single handedly. His absence from the Indian squad will make captains like Misbah-ul-Haq, Angelo Mathews, and Mushfiqur Rahim happy.
Pakistan has a good chance to win the trophy for the second successive time, but they must not be over confident, a problem they face too often.
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| Misbah-ul-Haq would look to lead by example in Asia Cup |
Based on current form Pakistan look good to become champions once again. India has been poor in one day cricket and have recently got beaten by New Zealand team who is ranked at number 7 in ICC ODI cricket rankings for the teams. Sri lanka, although has won most matches on their current tour to Bangladesh, but matches have been quite close and they don't look to stand a chance against Pakistan or India.
Pakistan will also take confidence from good showing against a powerful south african side. Pakistan beat South Africa 2-1 in a 3 match series held in Nov'13.
The major hurdle for pakistan, despite poor form recently, will be india. India have always managed to do well against pakistan in major tournaments. Zaheer Abbas, former paksitan captain and newly-appointed Pakistan cricket consultant warned Pakistan for complacency against India."It would be a mistake to judge the Indian team on basis of their recent performances because the conditions are totally different in Bangladesh," said Zaheer Abbas. Also since india will be playing in familiar conditions one cannot count them out. Of course India are current ODI world cup champions and they won it in asia. There is always that pressure of a Indo-Pak match so it is going to be difficult for both teams regardless of their recent results.
Pakistan remains the strong bowling side with spinner Saeed Ajmal providing edge to the bowling department over other two teams. They always have good battery of fast bowlers and can make impact, even though pitches will not suit them. Biggest worry for Pakistan cricket team remains their batting which has struggled in recent past, especially chasing targets in ODI matches. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq will hope to win the toss and bat first in every match.
Pakistan Squad for Asia cup - Pakistan team has following set of players to select their starting 11 -
Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Abdur Rehman, Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Fawad Alam, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal (wk), Umar Gul
Squad has good mix of new and experienced players. Pakistan cricket fans will be hoping for 'boom boom' Shahid Afridi to come good and set up victories for the team. Much will depend on good starts from opening batsmen 'Ahmed Shehzad' and his partner, as well.
Good news for Pakistan is that MS Dhoni is out of the tournament and Virat Kohli will captain India in Asia Cup. As per official tweet from
MS Dhoni in the past has hurt both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, other favorite to win the tournament, badly beating them almost single handedly. His absence from the Indian squad will make captains like Misbah-ul-Haq, Angelo Mathews, and Mushfiqur Rahim happy.
Pakistan has a good chance to win the trophy for the second successive time, but they must not be over confident, a problem they face too often.
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