Six teams are playing each other in 2023. India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will compete in the Asia Cup 2023. These six teams are divided into two groups. So, everyone is waiting for the thrilling matches as they will be played in the ODI format.
Asia Cup Teams 2023
As mentioned earlier, there will be six teams participating in Asia Cup 2023, so here are some details about the teams:
1. Pakistan
Pakistan has been playing in the Asia Cup since its inaugural season in 1984 and has won two titles in the Asia Cup. Still, Pakistan is expected to win the Asia Cup this year because its captain Babar Azam has helped to become his nation’s no.1 ODI side.
People are incredibly excited about it because it was the first time that Pakistan entered in Asia Cup as the No.1 team. Pakistan’s first match is scheduled with Nepal on 30 August 2023.
But people are waiting for the India vs. Pakistan match scheduled on 2 September 2023, Both nations are waiting for it because of the biggest rival between them.
Apart from this, the Pakistani team is one of the most hardworking teams that play till the end, and people look forward to their performances. Here is the squad for Pakistan:
Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel.
2. India
India is one of the Asia Cup’s most challenging and winning teams, with seven titles.
This year’s squad for the Asia Cup has included Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
3. Afghanistan
Afghanistan is an excellent team with emerging players. Although they didn’t have a significant achievement, they performed well in 2022, and everyone appreciated their efforts.
They also have great players with excellent performances, like Rashid Khan, a brilliant international bowler who even ranks fourth in the T20 bowler’s rankings.
Afghanistan might not have achieved any titles, but people expect much from them this year as their team has become more assertive.
Their squad is Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Suliman Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
4. Sri Lanka
Srilanka has also played in the inaugural edition and is considered the second most successful team in the Asia Cup, winning five titles. Although the Asia Cup 2022 winner was also Sri Lanka, they are partially co-hosted in this edition.
But Srilanka also has the most promising players who give a formidable challenge to other teams, and its nation is looking forward to their performance as it is also a cricket-loving nation.
Sri Lanka line-up for the Asia Cup are Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera , Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Samara Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theeksana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesa Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
5. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is also one of the most challenging teams. Its players are Shakib Al Hasan (C), Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan Tamim.
6. Nepal
In the recent Asia Cup Qualifiers, the Nepal cricket team has displayed great growth on the international stage. Nepal has become a competitive force, showcasing its talent and potential. Nepal has made their place in the Asia Cup 2023 for the first time. Nepal will face Pakistan in its first Asia Cup match.
