Asia Cup 2023: Ranking teams based on bowling strength

Pakistan and Bangladesh. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The Super Four round of the 2023 Asia Cup has begun with Pakistan clashing with Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium. In the group round, Pakistan displayed their bowling excellence in both matches and became the first team to reach the next stage. In the Super Four round, the hosts will expect their bowlers to continue their good work and help the team qualify for the final.

Afghanistan and Nepal ended their campaigns on a disappointing note without winning any game in the competition. In this failure, their terrible bowling performance played a huge part. India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are in the Super Four but they also put up an average bowling display in group matches. However, learning lessons from their mistakes, their bowlers will look to improve their performance in the Super Four stage to help their teams reach the final. 

Here are the ratings of teams on their bowling prowess 

6. Nepal- 4/10

Nepal team Asia Cup. (Photo Source: Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)

Nepal made their Asia Cup debut in this edition but failed to be impactful. In their maiden game against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium, they were put to bowl first by the Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who won the toss. In the first half of the first innings, Nepal bowlers gave a headache to the hosts, claiming four batters at a score of 124.

However, after the arrival of Iftikhar Ahmed, things completely went in Pakistan’s favour as the 33-year-old took Nepal’s bowling unit to the cleaners and stitched a 214-run partnership with his captain Babar Azam. Their top bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, and Sompal Kami struggled against batters and gave away runs at an economy of 6.00 or above.

In the match against India, Nepal’s batters improved their performance but their bowling got worse as this time, they failed to scalp any wickets while defending the revised target of 145 runs in 23 overs. India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill hit half-centuries against their poor bowling.

5. Afghanistan- 5/10

Afghanistan-Team. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Afghanistan got ruled out of the competition after losing to Sri Lanka by two runs in match six at the Gaddafi Stadium. Against Dasun Shanka and his men, Afghan batters displayed their fighting spirit and took the game close. However, in the end, Sri Lankan bowlers held their nerves and helped their side emerge victorious in the contest.

The Afghan side has some exceptional bowling talent in their team. In Afghanistan’s rapid growth in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, their bowlers have made a huge contribution. Ahead of this Asia Cup, Afghan fans had kept their expectations high from Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi as these players are experienced and proven performers in Afghanistan’s bowling unit.

However, Afghan bowlers looked completely out of rhythm in this competition, and their failures also cost their team. Against Bangladesh, they gave away 334 runs which created pressure on batters as well. The Afghan bowlers’ flop show continued against Sri Lanka. After getting hammering from top-order batters, the Afghan team made a comeback in the game. 

Under 40 overs, Sri Lanka had lost their seven batters at a score of 227 but Afghanistan bowlers again displayed incompetence. Taking advantage of their frailty, Sri Lanka lower-order batters Dunith Wellaleage and Maheesh Theekshana stitched a 64-run partnership that took Sri Lanka to a fine total of 291.

4. Bangladesh- 6/10

Bangladesh vs. India, 2nd ODI 2022. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh have qualified for the Super Four round but they have to work on their weaknesses and frailties to compete with heavyweights such as India and Pakistan in the Super Four round. Against Sri Lanka, their batters got folded on 164, and following the debacle, Bangla bowlers had the responsibility to bring their side back into the game.

In the initial overs, Bangladesh bowlers created pressure on the co-hosts but they lost control of the game due to Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka’s steady batting. Both players stood at the crease and broke the confidence of the bowlers. In the end, Sri Lanka emerged victorious with five wickets in hand. 

After demolishing Sri Lanka’s top order, Bangla bowlers had a chance to push Sri Lanka towards defeat but their indisciplined bowling allowed both batters to settle at the crease and stabilise Sri Lanka’s innings. In the Super Four round, Bangladesh will have to tighten their bowling to get the better of the other three quality sides.

3. Sri Lanka- 6.5/10

Sri Lanka Asia Cup. (Photo Source: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Sri Lanka topped Group B with their victories against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In the first game, they completely dominated Bangladesh and registered a comfortable five-wicket victory. Sri Lanka bowlers played their part efficiently in this comprehensive win. They bundled out Bangladesh on a mere 164.

Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Tanzid Hasan in his first over and delivered an early breakthrough to his team. Supporting Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana also showcased his best and picked up a four-wicket haul in his 7.4-over spell. Pathirana got the Player of the Match award for his scintillating bowling display but it was a collective bowling effort that helped Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh.

In the absence of the spin-bowling spearhead Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka bowlers succeeded in putting up a dominating show against the Bangla team. After going through ups and downs against Afghanistan in the last group game, Sri Lanka had the last laugh. The credit for this close win goes to the bowlers who held their nerves and took Sri Lanka home in the end.  

2. India- 8/10

Indian-Team. (Photo Source: BCCI)

India are one of the most dangerous bowling sides in this competition. The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj has the potential to wreak havoc on batters with their remarkable pace. While Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja can also ask some tough questions to batters with their excellent spin-bowling skills.

In the first game against Pakistan, Indian bowlers didn’t get a chance to test their preparations but against Nepal, the team missed the services of Bumrah, who didn’t participate in the game to welcome his first child. Spearheading the pace attack, Shami delivered an economical spell to the team but Siraj splurged runs at an economy of over 6.5, which caused worry among Team India fans.

The spin attack looked disciplined as Jadeja grabbed three wickets in his ten overs while Kuldeep also bowled a thrifty 10-over spell, in which he gave only 34 runs. In the Super Four stage, eyes will be set on India’s bowling attack as it will be expected to take on quality batting units of Pakistan and Sri Lanka with confidence.

1. Pakistan- 9/10

Shaheen Shah Afridi. (Photo Source: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan are heavily dependent on their pace attack to win this year’s Asia Cup. The hosts have three speedsters who can clock over 140 km/h consistently. Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah form an incredible fast-bowling unit that becomes too hot to handle for batters.

While Shadab Khan leads the spin department with his experience and skills. However, Shadab’s bowling form hasn’t been impressive in recent times which will give anxiety to the Pakistan team management. Against Nepal, the leggie bagged four wickets but in the high-voltage match against India, he splurged 57 runs in his nine-over spell.

Mohammad Nawaz got two games in the group stage but failed to deliver anything solid to the team. In the Super Four round, Captain Babar Azam will want his bowlers to be disciplined so that the Pakistan team succeeds in clinching the distinguished Asia Cup trophy for the third time.