The third biggest tournament of the year (after the IPL and Champions Trophy) is just a few days away, and you can already tell which teams will reach the final four.
From there, you can tell which teams will be in the top three. The Asia Cup is like a tri-series more than anything else. The three-way battle for the cup will obviously be between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh will hope that the other three might just slip to give them an outside chance (and by that i mean a "one in a million" chance) to come in the top three. This is what I think of the teams:
Group A
Sri Lanka, without any doubt, will top the group. The question is whether they will retain the cup or not. I would say they have a better chance than Pakistan but after the World Cup last year, Sri Lanka has not been looking so good.
They played some fantastic cricket last time in this tournament, but they just don't look like that team any more.
Prediction: third
Key Players: The same old names come up, and you can be sure that some of them will not be present in the next edition. Kumara Sangakarra has always been performing. Sanath Jayasuriya, who after being dropped, was called back following a brilliant run in the IPL. Farveez Maharoof, who learnt a lot from his Delhi teammate, Glenn McGrath, will be hoping to continue his good form. And of course, Muttiah Muralitharan! Do I have to give a description?
Bangladesh will make it through to the final four but will lose their way from then on; they didn't play up to their potential at the Kitply Cup. Since they have their first match against UAE, they will be hoping to make a strong statement to show Sri Lanka not to take them easily.
Prediction: fourth
Key Players: Captain Mohammed Ashraful is the best player on the team and will have to show that. Mashrafe Mortaza, the most experienced bowler in the team, will have the job of picking up early wickets. Raqibul Hasan showed in their last match against India that he can stay at the crease and get the runs for his team.
United Arab Emirates: I have the feeling they have a little chance of going through to the top four. They will have to show a really good performance in the opening match against Bangladesh in order for this to happen.
Prediction: last in Group A
Key Player: Only one player who has performed for them, captain and opening bowler Arshad Ali.
Group B
Pakistan:With Shoaib Akhtar banned and Asif caught with drugs, Pakistan looked very weak in the Kitply Cup but surprised many by beating India in the final. Because of that, they could go on to win this tournament and, of course, they have the home advantage.
Prediction: Runners-up
Key Players:
6 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete