Minnows no more, Afghans, Bangladesh serious threats
NEW DELHI: It’s almost riveting how a game passed on by an European colonial power captured the imagination of South Asia so much that it has more followers in these parts than the world over. The fact that half of the world’s top cricket playing nations will be featuring in the Asia Cup is a pointer to the game’s growth as the most followed sport in the region.
Rivalries have been an integral part among Asian teams — be it the classic India-pakistan clash or the newfound popularity of India-bangladesh encounters. Throw in Sri Lanka into the contest and it feels like a miniworld Cup sans the nations from Europe, Oceania and Africa.
Teams like Bangladesh and Afghanistan are now treated as serious challengers in the shorter formats. The rise of the two countries is one of the big reasons why Asia Cup is set to get more competitive. Bangladesh have been a force to reckon with ever since their splendid show at the 2015 World Cup, where they outclassed England to enter the quarter-finals for the first time. Couple of months later, they won their first ever bilateral ODI series against India 2-1 at home.
In 2016, they reached the Asia Cup final for the second time after 2012, and in 2017 they defeated New Zealand to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals.
As for Afghanistan, they have talented players like Rashid Khan and Ashghar Stanikzai. In a short period they have gained Test status though it’s limited overs cricket that they have shown potential to excel.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which was set up in 1983, played its part in the improvement of many teams like Afghanistan — which played the 2010 World T20 and their maiden World Cup in 2015. They will also feature in the 2019 edition of the showpiece event.
POWERHOUSES
India and Sri Lanka are the two teams who have come out on top in 11 of the 13 editions of the Asia Cup, winnings six and five times respectively.
With India-pakistan contests only possible in International Cricket Council (ICC) events due to diplomatic tensions, the tournament is bound to keep the fans engrossed, given that there could be as many as three clashes in the 2018 edition.