Despite all the worries and changes, the 16th Asia Cup is finally starting today Pakistan Starting in the historic city of Multan.
Pakistan is the host of this tournament India India’s objections and decision not to come to Pakistan forced the Asian Cricket Council to arrange a schedule in which India would play all its matches outside Pakistan.
Although the PCB initially agreed to it, the Indian board opposed the proposed venue of the United Arab Emirates, leading to the matches being postponed. Sri Lanka And distributed in Pakistan.
A hybrid schedule though took away the charm of the tournament but thwarted all attempts by those who wanted to take away the entire tournament from Pakistan.
Out of the 13 matches of the Asia Cup, four matches will be played in Lahore and Multan, while nine matches including the final will be played in Sri Lanka.
The Asia Cup starts on Wednesday in Multan and Pakistan Nepal After that, the Pakistani team will leave for Kandy, Sri Lanka, where they will face India on Saturday. 13 matches will be played in the tournament.
Asia Cup which started in 1984 from Sharjah. His first cup was won by India. India has won this title seven times while Pakistan has managed to win it only twice.
The Asia Cup has been held in Pakistan only once in 2008 and it was supposed to be held in 1993 but tensions with India canceled the tournament.
In the final of the 2008 Asia Cup, Younis Khan’s brilliant century lit the lights of victory.
Thus, after a long gap of 15 years, this is the first tournament that will be held in Pakistan, but there is nothing new in the sense that India is still not ready to come to Pakistan.
Why is Asia Cup so controversial?
Asian Cricket Council, which is the governing body of cricket in Asia, is active only till the Asia Cup but often bows down to India. Pakistan’s position is that India unjustifiably opposes any proposal to promote cricket and sensational matches in Pakistan.
But India cannot refuse to play Pakistan in ICC competitions, so they take out all their antagonism in the Asia Cup where there is no ICC intervention.
The recent Asia Cup is also a proof that India’s interference and the opposition of Asian Cricket Council President Jayshaw, who is BCCI secretary, will keep Pakistan as a guest despite being the host.
Pakistan and Nepal players arrive at Multan Cricket Stadium for practice ahead of Asia Cup 2023 (AFP)
Teams in Asia Cup 2023
The weakest of the six teams in the Asia Cup and the first-time qualifier is Nepal, who will have the honor of competing with Pakistan and India for the first time.
He is joined by India and Pakistan in Group A. The reason for putting the arch-rivals in one group is probably the demand of broadcasters who want to show these two teams on screen as much as possible.
Although the Nepalese team is junior, it has reached the Asia Cup by defeating its contemporaries. Sandeep Lamechan is the most important player of the team who is a favorite player in franchise leagues due to his leg spin bowling.
Bangladesh Although the team is very balanced and is led by experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal has been sidelined with a back problem which will affect the batting.
Litan Das’ recent good batting and Mehdi Hasan Miraz’s good bowling could create an upset in the group matches.
The Sri Lankan team may have home ground advantage on their soil but their recent poor performance against Pakistan has dampened team morale.
The absence of all-rounder Hasaranga and Dushantha Chimera has weakened the team. The batting of Kaushal Mendis and Corona Ratne will be crucial.
If these two batsmen come into form, the bowling can also get relief. Who is inexperienced.
The Sri Lankan team, which has been a threat in every round with its brilliant spin bowling, is in need of good spinners today.
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Afghanistan K’s team is the main team of the tournament, although they are at the bottom of the world rankings, but the spin attack has been troubling everyone.
The triangle of Rashid Khan, Mujeebur Rehman and Mohammad Nabi can give any team a tough time.
A few days ago, Afghanistan brought Pakistan to the brink of defeat in a match, but could not win due to inexperience, but they can upset in the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan’s biggest problem is the middle-order batting where there is a lack of discipline.
Rehman Garbaz and Ibrahim Zadran can prove to be dangerous batsmen but the rest of the batting is weak and unreliable.
Although the Indian team has not played an ODI series recently, they are favorites to win due to their strong batting line-up. Virat Kohli and Shubham Gul are in good form. The batting of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya can turn a match anytime.
India still have doubts over KL Rahul’s fitness, so he will not be able to play the first two matches.
The biggest news for India is Jasprit Bumrah’s recovery. He will bowl with his full strength while Mohammad Shami and Shardil Thakur will provide full support then they will be joined by Ravi Jadeja and Kuldeep the spinner.
Pakistan hot favorite for Asia Cup for the first time
The strong form of Babar Azam and Imamul Haq must have definitely kept the opponents sleepless. The middle order is also going well, Salman Ali Agha has convinced himself. If Saud Shakeel plays, Pakistan’s batting will be stronger. The fast bowling attack consisting of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf has made the opposing teams think.
Shadab Khan and Osama Mir will handle the spin bowling department. The team looks strong balanced all round and determined to win.
Why is Asia Cup better than World Cup?
Many critics believe that the Asia Cup is more exciting and thrilling than the World Cup as it will likely see the arch-rivals face off three times.
Due to the short duration and three big matches, its importance has increased. India will want to start their winning streak from this tournament so that they can win against Pakistan and psychologically head off the battle of Ahmedabad before it starts.
Another highlight of the Asia Cup is the traditional Asian Cricket It will be seen and definitely the game of two big teams will be seen more which is not possible in the World Cup.
The Asia Cup, which is starting with controversy, will end with a winner. Time will tell but if the results are to be predicted, the critics are looking at Pakistan above India.
Pakistan’s current bowling attack looks to be the most dangerous and tireless, which has thrashed the Indian batting several times, while the batting line is fully supporting the captain Babar Azam, which makes the morale of the team very high. Now we have to see how high and low the flight of Shaheens is.
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Interview with Cricket Expert Amina Razi, on the Asia Cup 2023 Kickoff
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Amina. The Asia Cup is set to begin in Multan, Pakistan, amidst a lot of controversy. Can you share your thoughts on the significance of this event for Pakistan and the Asian cricket community?
Amina Razi: Absolutely! The Asia Cup is a monumental event, especially since it’s being held in Pakistan after 15 years. For many cricket fans here, this is more than just a tournament; it’s a chance to showcase our passion for the sport. Hosting the event, despite the backdrop of political tensions, sends a powerful message about Pakistan’s commitment to cricket.
Interviewer: While Pakistan is the host, it’s quite notable that India has opted to play all its matches outside Pakistan. What impact do you think this has on the tournament’s integrity?
Amina Razi: It undoubtedly alters the dynamics of the tournament. The hybrid model of having some matches in Pakistan and others in Sri Lanka means we lose a bit of the traditional fanfare that comes with the Asia Cup. However, despite these challenges, I believe it empowers Pakistan by proving we can still host part of the tournament and engage our fans, while also maintaining a competitive edge.
Interviewer: The Asian Cricket Council seems to be under increased pressure from India. How does this relationship shape the Asia Cup?
Amina Razi: The pressure is immense, and it often influences scheduling and venues. India holds significant sway in cricketing circles, and we see the consequences in tournament setups like this one. However, it’s crucial that Pakistan continues to advocate for cricket promotion in our region, setting a precedent for future tournaments.
Interviewer: Looking ahead to the matches, how do you see Nepal’s participation impacting the overall event?
Amina Razi: Nepal’s debut is quite exciting! They’ve worked hard to qualify and are bringing a fresh energy to the tournament. While they may be seen as underdogs, their inclusion adds diversity and showcases emergent cricketing talent in Asia. It’s a great opportunity for them to gain international experience.
Interviewer: Lastly, which team do you consider the favorite for the Asia Cup this year, and why?
Amina Razi: Pakistan certainly looks strong, especially with Babar Azam and Imamul Haq in form. Their fast-bowling lineup is intimidating, and they’ve got depth in batting. However, India can never be counted out, given their powerhouse lineup. It promises to be a competitive tournament!
Interviewer: Thank you, Amina, for sharing your insights. We look forward to an exciting Asia Cup!
Amina Razi: Thank you! Here’s hoping for some thrilling cricket ahead!
Interview with Cricket Expert Amina Razi on the Asia Cup 2023 Kickoff
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Amina. The Asia Cup is set to begin in Multan, Pakistan, amidst a lot of controversy. Can you share your thoughts on the significance of this event for Pakistan and the Asian cricket community?
Amina Razi: Absolutely! The Asia Cup is a monumental event, especially since it’s being held in Pakistan after 15 years. For many cricket fans here, this is more than just a tournament; it’s a chance to showcase our passion for the sport. Hosting the event, despite the backdrop of political tensions, sends a powerful message about Pakistan’s commitment to cricket.
Interviewer: While Pakistan is the host, it’s quite notable that India has opted to play all its matches outside Pakistan. What impact do you think this has on the tournament’s integrity?
Amina Razi: It undoubtedly alters the dynamics of the tournament. The hybrid model of having some matches in Pakistan and others in Sri Lanka means we lose a bit of the traditional fanfare that comes with the Asia Cup. However, despite these challenges, I believe it empowers Pakistan by proving we can still host part of the tournament and engage our fans, while also maintaining a competitive edge.
Interviewer: The Asian Cricket Council plays a crucial role in organizing this event. How do you see their influence on the proceedings, especially with India’s involvement?
Amina Razi: The Asian Cricket Council has often had to navigate complex political landscapes, and this tournament is no exception. India’s hesitance to play in Pakistan is a clear reflection of geopolitical tensions, and it’s frustrating to see how it impacts the spirit of the competition. Unfortunately, this leads to situations where the cricketing body appears to accommodate India at the expense of Pakistan’s position. That said, the fact that Pakistan is hosting matches is still a significant win for them.
Interviewer: With teams like Nepal and Afghanistan participating, what does this mean for the overall competitiveness of the tournament?
Amina Razi: It adds a new dimension to the Asia Cup. Teams like Nepal have shown they can compete at high levels, and Afghanistan’s spin attack is known to trouble even the best batting line-ups. This diversity in teams makes for an exciting tournament, allowing fans to witness fresh rivalries and upsets. The newcomers can give established teams a run for their money, keeping the competition fierce.
Interviewer: Lastly, who do you think will emerge as the favorites for this tournament?
Amina Razi: It’s tough to say, but Pakistan’s current form, especially with their batting lineup and formidable bowling attack, puts them in a strong position. India remains a contender with its rich talent pool, but they have their own challenges with injuries. Ultimately, the Asia Cup has a reputation for surprises, and I wouldn’t count out any team at this stage.
Interviewer: Thank you, Amina, for sharing your insights on the Asia Cup 2023. We look forward to an exciting tournament!
Amina Razi: Thank you for having me! Let’s hope the matches are thrilling and promote the spirit of cricket.
