As we come to the end of the league stage of Asia Cup 2023, we have witnessed some riveting displays of talent from all six teams. The Asia Cup 2023 featured six nations: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, who earned their spot in the tournament by triumphing over the United Arab Emirates in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup earlier this year. The teams were divided into two groups, with Group A consisting of India, Pakistan, and Nepal, while Group B proved to be a formidable challenge with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. In the initial phase, each team engaged in two intense matches against their group rivals, leading to the top two teams from each group securing their place in the Super 4s stage. Let us have a look at how each team has fared so far in the event and how they will prepare going forward to the Super 4 stage.
Group A
| Teams | Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties | No Result | Net Run Rate | Points |
| Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4.760 | 3 |
| India | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.028 | 3 |
| Nepal | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -3.572 | 0 |
Group B
| Teams | Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties | No Result | Net Run Rate | Points |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.594 | 4 |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.373 | 2 |
| Afghanistan | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -0.910 | 0 |
TEAM INDIA
India kicked off their campaign with a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, the encounter was marred by rain interruptions, leaving the Blue outfit frustrated as only half the match could be played. The Indian top order struggled against Pakistan’s formidable opening attack, with Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and skipper Rohit Sharma falling cheaply. However, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya staged a remarkable recovery, forging a 138-run partnership after India had slumped to 66/4. Under immense pressure, Kishan played a brilliant innings of 82, while Hardik’s steady 87 off 90 balls propelled India to a challenging total of 266. Unfortunately, the rain persisted, and the match was halted after India’s innings. The stakes were high as India’s journey in the tournament depended on their second and final league stage match against neighbors Nepal, who had previously lost to Pakistan.
In a rain-interrupted match in Pallekele, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill delivered blazing performances, propelling India to a resounding 10-wicket victory over Nepal according to the Duckworth/Lewis method. Both batsmen remained unbeaten, with Rohit scoring 74 off 59 balls and Gill contributing 67 off 62 balls as India successfully chased down the revised target of 145 runs in 20.1 overs. The contest was shortened to 23 overs due to rain, which had disrupted the proceedings for nearly two hours. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj emerged as the heroes for India in the bowling department, displaying exceptional bowling prowess by claiming three wickets each against a determined Nepal side that delivered an impressive batting performance, particularly considering their experience at the global stage. India’s fielding was very sloppy and will undoubtedly be an area of emphasis for improvement moving forward. With this win, India secured their spot in the Super 4 stage.
TEAM PAKISTAN
In the highly anticipated opening clash of the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan, who were widely regarded as the frontrunners, substantiated their status as favorites with an emphatic performance. They steamrolled Nepal, sealing a commanding victory by a staggering 238-run margin in Multan. Commencing with their batting, Pakistan notched up a formidable total of 342 for 6. Babar Azam led the charge with a masterful 151, complemented by an unbeaten 109 from Iftikhar Ahmed, who partnered in a remarkable 214-run stand for the fifth wicket. When it was Nepal’s turn to take the crease, they faced the onslaught of Pakistan’s star bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who made an immediate impact by taking two wickets in the very first over. As the innings progressed, Shadab Khan’s crafty bowling yielded him figures of 4/27 from his 6.4 overs, while Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf showcased their prowess with impressive spells. Though Aarif Sheikh (26) and Sompal Kami (28) displayed some resistance, Nepal ultimately succumbed to their fate, bowled out in a mere 23.4 overs, unable to counter Pakistan’s dominance on the day.
In their second encounter against India, Pakistan’s bowling prowess once again took center stage. The match witnessed multiple rain interruptions, limiting Pakistan’s chances to assess their strong bowling unit against a formidable Indian side. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf unleashed a fiery onslaught on the Indian batting lineup, causing the Men in Blue to slump to a precarious 66/4 at a certain juncture. Despite a promising start, India shifted momentum in their favor when Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya initiated a remarkable partnership, threatening to wrest control of the match away from Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s bowling attack made a resounding comeback in the death overs, swiftly dismantling the Indian lineup and ultimately dismissing them for a total of 266. Regrettably, the match could not proceed further due to persistent rain. Nevertheless, Pakistan secured their spot in the Super 4s, making the drawn result a minor concern in the grand scheme of things.
TEAM NEPAL
In their debut appearance at the Asia Cup 2023, the Nepal Cricket Team’s early exit from the tournament should not overshadow the fact that they made a significant statement on the international cricket stage. While India and Pakistan may have emerged victorious against them, Nepal’s performance underscored their resilience and potential as a rising cricketing nation. One noteworthy aspect of Nepal’s campaign was their ability to capitalize on opportunities. In their match against India, they exposed vulnerabilities in the opposition by persistently testing them. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, despite facing cricketing giants, demonstrated unwavering determination. Aasif’s innings, albeit slow-paced, was a testament to his courage in facing world-class bowlers, and Sompal Kami’s pivotal contribution with 48 runs, batting at No. 8, further illustrated their depth in talent.
Beyond the numbers, what truly stood out was the unwavering support of Nepali cricket enthusiasts. Pallekele resonated with the vibrant chants and songs of Nepali fans, creating an electrifying atmosphere that highlighted the nation’s love for the sport. In the fading light of Kirtipur, the jubilant Nepali crowd celebrated their victories with sheer joy, reinforcing the significance of cricket in Nepal’s cultural fabric. While Nepal remains an associate nation in the cricketing world, their journey parallels that of Afghanistan, who evolved from an associate nation to a cricketing powerhouse. It may take time, but with continued talent development and the necessary infrastructure, Nepal has the potential to climb the cricketing ladder and establish themselves as a formidable presence in the global cricketing landscape. Their performance in the Asia Cup 2023 was a promising beginning, setting the stage for a brighter cricketing future and leaving an enduring legacy in a sport cherished by the nation.
TEAM BANGLADESH
In their first match of Asia Cup 2023, the Bangladeshi team faced adversity as Sri Lanka’s bowlers managed to scalp three crucial wickets within the initial 10 overs, a setback that included the dismissal of their captain, Shakib Al Hasan. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tawhid Hridoy provided a glimmer of hope by stabilizing the innings with a partnership that reached 59 runs off 80 deliveries. It was a momentary respite in an otherwise challenging innings. As the innings progressed, Bangladesh’s batting order struggled to maintain its foothold, and the wheels truly came off after the 40th over. The lone resistance came from Shanto, who exhibited a remarkable determination to compile a steady 89 off 122 balls. Unfortunately, his departure marked the beginning of the end for Bangladesh, who were eventually bundled out for a modest total of 164. Despite initial rain predictions, the weather held up, allowing Sri Lanka to capitalize on their below-par score. Although Bangladesh had earlier shown promise in containing Sri Lanka’s innings, half-centuries from Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka shifted the momentum, ultimately putting Sri Lanka in a commanding position to secure victory.
Bangladesh engineered a remarkable turnaround, clinching an emphatic 89-run triumph over Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2023 contest held in Lahore. With a crushing defeat against Sri Lanka in their tournament opener, Bangladesh faced a must-win situation. Opting to bat, they witnessed magnificent centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz (112) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (104), setting a formidable target of 334/5. In response, Afghanistan’s innings was marred by early dismissals and despite commendable efforts from Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran, they fell short, eventually bowled out for 245, sealing Bangladesh’s convincing victory. With the victory against Afghanistan, Bangladesh sealed their super 4’s spot with hosts Sri Lanka and Afghanistan vying for the final spot in the top 4 stage.
TEAM AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan’s performance in their first Asia Cup 2023 encounter against Bangladesh wasn’t the most fruitful, particularly in the bowling department. Despite high expectations, their bowlers struggled as they conceded a formidable 334 runs, managing to claim just two wickets with the ball throughout the 50 overs. The majority of dismissals came through run-outs, exposing a lack of penetration from their bowlers, including stars like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur-Rahman, who failed to live up to their reputations. On the batting front, Afghanistan could only muster 245 runs, with Ibrahim Zadran emerging as the standout performer, scoring a resilient 75 off 74 balls, while Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed with a half-century. Yet, the rest of the batting lineup faltered, setting the stage for a formidable challenge in their subsequent match against the hosts, Sri Lanka, as they sought to stage a strong comeback in the tournament.
In their second game of the tournament, Afghanistan delivered a performance that reverberated throughout the cricketing world. Although they didn’t clinch victory, the Afghans exhibited unwavering resilience as they chased down a daunting target of 292 set by Sri Lanka. With their Super 4s qualification hinging on completing the chase within 37.1 overs, the spirited Afghan side showcased a thrilling display by accumulating a remarkable 289 runs, falling agonizingly short of the target by a mere 2 runs. Their spirited effort almost saw them snatch victory from the hosts, leaving everyone stunned. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi led the charge with a gritty 59 off 66 balls, setting the tone for Afghanistan’s valiant pursuit. Former captain Mohammed Nabi was nothing short of inspirational, blazing his way to 65 runs off just 32 balls, registering the fastest 50 for Afghanistan in this format. While Rashid Khan and Najibullah Zadran gave it their all, they couldn’t quite bridge the final gap, and Afghanistan had to bow out of the tournament in the league stage. Despite the heartbreak of falling short, their remarkable performance earned them admiration and respect on the global stage.
TEAM SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s campaign in the Asia Cup 2023 got off to a flying start with a commanding victory over Bangladesh. Their bowlers, led by the impressive young talent Pathirana, restricted Bangladesh to a meager total of 164 runs in less than 43 overs, with Pathirana himself claiming four crucial wickets for just 32 runs. Theekshana added two more important scalps, putting a stranglehold on the Bangladeshi batting lineup. In response, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka displayed a mature partnership to guide Sri Lanka to a comfortable win, despite the challenges posed by Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan in the middle overs. This resounding victory marked a superb beginning to Sri Lanka’s campaign in the tournament.
In what should have been a comfortable route to finals, Sri Lanka made it very difficult for them by posing a challenge of 292 runs on board against Afghanistan. Kusal Mendis scored a blistering 92 before getting out in a rather unfortunate run out. Small contributions from Nissanka, Asalanka and Wellalage saw them get a competitive target. Their hopes hinged on the bowling unit, tasked with defending the total within the stringent 37.1-over limit. Sri Lanka’s victory came down to the wire, with them narrowly clinching the win by a margin of just 2 runs. Although pacer Rajitha claimed four wickets, he proved expensive, conceding 79 runs in his 10 overs. The decisive over was entrusted to Dunith Wellalage, who faced the daunting challenge of defending 16 runs off the final 7 balls against Afghanistan. In the end, Sri Lanka barely held on to the victory, securing their place in the Super 4s, where they will face formidable opponents in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan in their quest for the Asia Cup 2023 title.