Players to watch out for in Asia Cup 2018
What's the story
The Asia Cup 2018 kicked off today in the UAE with Bangladesh locking horns with Lankans. Apart from these two nations, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Hong Kong are set to battle it out for the continental crown. There are plenty of promising players, who could mark a real difference for their sides. Here we decode the players that can change the game.
Zaman
The stylish Pakistani opener
The opening batsman is enjoying the form of his life at the moment. Zaman has been among the runs since his debut in ODI cricket in 2017. This year he notched the record of becoming the fastest to 1,000 ODI runs in just 18 innings. He plays freely atop and his aggressive nature can unsettle any bowler. He is key for laying the foundation.
Kuldeep
The Indian mystery spinner
The left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, has contributed immensely in India's success in this format since 2017. He had a dream series against South Africa earlier this year. Kuldeep has made a name for himself and with his spin partner Yuzvendra Chahal, can rattle any side. His variety and unpredictability could do wonders for India on spinning tracks. He has 48 wickets till now.
Rashid
The number one spinner in the world
The champion youngster will look to make use of the conditions on offer. Rashid has quickly grown to become one of the best in business and his ability to pick a host of wickets shows why he is a top entity. In 47 ODIs, he has picked 108 scalps. Rashid will be excited to bowl against some star-studded names from opposition teams.
Shakib
The champion all-rounder
Bangladesh will be hoping to see their premier player, Shakib Al Hasan, take the responsibility in steering the side to crucial wins. He is set to have a surgery on his finger post the tourney, therefore he will need to be wary of not injuring himself further. He is one of the best all-rounders at the moment and his experience will come into play.
Mathews
The Sri Lankan captain
Angelo Mathews will look to hold the fort for Sri Lanka. In absence of Dinesh Chandimal, the senior player is set to lead the side. He knows the tricks of the job and handles pressure well. His impact is strong with both bat and ball and his decision making will be key. Lanka's prospects will depend on how Angelo performs in this tournament.
Rath
Anshuman Rath from Hong Kong
The Indian origin player has played a significant role for Hong Kong till now. The 20-year-old youngster was terrific for his side in the qualifiers. He smashed 204 runs in 5 matches. He has a 50+ average in ODI cricket. He is an exciting talent and would get amazing exposure by rubbing shoulders with stars. He will be expected to give his all.