Asia Cup Team Standings: India claim title but Afghanistan win hearts

Ajit Vijaykumar 08:06 30/09/2018
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  • Stellar performance: Afghanistan.

    India won the Asia Cup title for the seventh time after pulling off a three-wicket win against Bangladesh off the final ball of the tournament in Dubai on Friday. But does the result mean the two finalists were actually the best two teams in the tournament?

    Here we rate the event’s six teams – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong – starting from the worst team and moving to the best.

    6. SRI LANKA

    Sri Lankan were poor in the Asia Cup.

    Sri Lankan were poor in the Asia Cup.

    The Islanders were so poor, it was embarrassing to watch. The team entered the tournament without Dinesh Chandimal and also lost batsman Danushka Gunathilaka to a back injury. Veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga was coming back into the side after a gap of one year and they seemed to have a decent mix of youth and experience. But Sri Lanka were embarrassed by 137 runs in the tournament opener by Bangladesh before they were crushed by Afghanistan by 91 runs. Things got so bad captain Angelo Mathews was removed as captain and following his outburst saying he was being made a scapegoat, the experienced star was dropped from the white-ball teams altogether.

    5. HONG KONG

    Hong Kong openers Nizakat Khan (l) and Anshuman Rath.

    Hong Kong openers Nizakat Khan (l) and Anshuman Rath.

    Were easily outclassed by Pakistan in their tournament opener. But the Associate side didn’t let the eight-wicket thrashing affect them. Against India, they were presented with a target of 286. Instead of shutting up shop and batting out the overs, openers Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan added 174 for the first wicket before they eventually ran out of breath and fell short by 26 runs. Hong Kong showed Associate teams like them don’t enter tournaments just to make up numbers but to actually compete and go for wins. A great advertisement for the growth of the game in new cricketing hubs.

    4. PAKISTAN

    Mohammad Amir has failed to pick up wickets.

    Mohammad Amir has failed to pick up wickets.

    An utterly forgettable tournament. Their batting failed consistently, captain Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy became reactive rather than pro-active, and pacer Mohammad Amir forgot how to pick up wickets and has since lost his spot. For some reason, they entered the tournament with six fast-bowling options even though spin was clearly going to be the main threat. From team selection to ground fielding, everything fell apart for them. Opener Fakhar Zaman’s technical deficiencies with ball bowled at his body were exposed. Young left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi and opnner Imam-ul-Haq were among the only two notable performers.

    3. BANGLADESH

    Bangladesh become better as the tournament wore on.

    Bangladesh become better as the tournament wore on.

    The Tigers failed miserably against India in the group stage and it looked like Pakistan would get the better of them in their must-win Super Four clash for a place in the final against Rohit Sharma’s boys. However, Bangladesh brought out their A game to subdue Pakistan by 37 runs, registering their fourth straight ODI win over them. Bangladesh were without the injured Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan in the final, but they overcame those setbacks. Stunning everyone by sending off-spinner Mehidy Hasan to open, Bangladesh added 120 for the opening wicket before their famed middle-order collapsed and India managed to stay just ahead of them throughout the remainder of the match. Fine effort without two main players.

    2. INDIA

    India captain Rohit Sharma.

    India captain Rohit Sharma.

    Winners for the seventh time. Remained unbeaten in the tournament. Were without regular captain and star batsman Virat Kohli, lost all-rounder Hardik Pandya to injury against Pakistan, and rotated the squad to give every player gametime. In the final, didn’t lose their focus even after the Tigers made a sensational start. Top order of Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan was superb while the entire bowling unit chipped in. However, were rusty to start with against Hong Kong and could have lost that match.

    1. AFGHANISTAN

    Afghan were excellent in every match of the Asia Cup.

    Afghan were excellent in every match of the Asia Cup.

    The most consistent team of the Asia Cup. Started off by thrashing Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before losing in the final over to Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pulled off a tie against India to end the tournament on a high. Scored around 250 in every single match and their spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahamn turned up the heat to choke the life out of opposition batsmen. Had luck gone their way just a bit, would have qualified for the final. Captain Asghar Afghan said once his established fast bowlers get fit, his team will be a real force in cricket. A big warning has been sent to all teams at the 2019 World Cup in England.

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