Asia Cup 2023: Rating Teams based on their bowling in the tournament

Asia Cup 2023 (Photo Source: twitter)

The Asia Cup 2023 tournament saw the Indian team dominating Sri Lanka in a rather one-sided affair where they won the final by 10 wickets. Notably, Sri Lanka had a nightmarish start to their innings after winning the toss, as they got bowled out cheaply for 50 runs in quick time. What followed next was India chasing down the total in 6.1 overs to become the eight-time champions.

Given that the tournament was the precursor of the ODI World Cup 2023, the teams were looking for answers. And they wanted to try out different things before confirming their squads for the ICC event. Most of the teams found answers to their solutions, but all some teams got were more questions and doubts.

Apart from Nepal, all the other teams will play in the ODI World Cup 2023 and this tournament showed them where they stood in terms of preparation, team building, and combinations. Keeping this in mind, here we examine each of the teams as we rank them based on their overall performance in the Asia Cup 2023.

Here are Ratings for teams based on their bowling in the Asia Cup tournament:

 

6. Nepal- 3/10

Kenya vs Nepal (Photo Source: Twitter)

Since this was Nepal’s first dance at the important event, they performed admirably. By taking a few early wickets in their Asia Cup opener against Pakistan, Nepal was able to stave off the inevitable of a massive score. But Pakistan amassed a sizable score thanks to the centuries of Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed.

After that, Nepal’s batsmen collapsed for 104 runs after being unable to handle Pakistan’s pace attack.

Because of shoddy fielding and catching against India, Nepal’s hitters were able to register a very respectable total against the uninspired Indian bowling. However, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were unstoppable, and their bowlers were no match.

But Nepal’s team surely returned home after gaining knowledge of the game from top India and Pakistan cricketers, which inspired them to keep getting better.

5. Afghanistan- 3/10

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

Afghanistan would undoubtedly describe their ouster from the Asia Cup 2023 as unfortunate given that they narrowly missed the opportunity to advance to the Super 4s. Afghanistan was expected to perform well in the competition because they were seen as a formidable foe. 

They were defeated in their opening game against Bangladesh, as Afghan bowlers were taken to cleaners in Lahore on a pitch that was conducive to batting. Bangladesh scored 334/5 as Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto pounded out hundreds. Afghanistan batters were no match for Bangladeshi bowlers and they were defeated by 89 runs. 

But their most sad moment came against Sri Lanka, when Afghanistan missed out on Super 4s qualification in a thrilling game because they were unaware of the qualification requirements and the number of runs, they needed.

Afghanistan would want to ponder on putting up the proper team combination for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 as their batting is letting them down and is their weakest link. And apart from their brilliant spinners, Afghanistan’s fast bowling also leaves a lot to be desired.

4. Bangladesh- 5/10

Bangladesh-Team. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Bangladesh were the first team to qualify for the Super 4s stage as they convincingly defeated Afghanistan in their Group B. They did lose to Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in their first match, but their margin of winning over Afghanistan was enough. However, the Super 4s were cruel to Shakib Al Hasan and his side. 

Their first match was against Pakistan in Lahore and they were dismissed for 193 runs with Haris Rauf taking 4/19 and they lost by 7 wickets. Next up they faced Sri Lanka and in an interesting match, Bangladesh failed to chase 257 runs. They fell short by 21 runs despite Towhid Hridoy’s 82 runs. Thus they became the first team to be eliminated from the race for the final.

But Bangladesh and Shakib Al Hasan managed to end their Asia Cup 2023 on a high when they defeated India in their last game by 6 runs. Shakib starred with a knock of 80 with the bat and took a wicket. And though Shubman Gill (121) and Axar Patel gave them a scare, Bangladesh eked out a 6-run win.

Their performance was hot and cold throughout the tournament and Bangladesh also suffered a few injury issues during the tourney. However, they will have a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh to prep for the World Cup. 

3. Pakistan- 6/10

Pakistan-Team. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)

Pakistan entered the Super 4s on the back of a dominating performance over Nepal and a brilliant bowling outing against India. However, in the Super 4s stage, things became undone for Babar Azam and his men. Pakistan started well by demolishing Bangladesh in Lahore by 7 wickets in the first game of the Super Fours stage. 

But against India in Colombo, Pakistani bowlers were taken to cleaners as India batters regrouped after the Kandy debacle and posted 356/2 in 50 overs. To run salt to the wound, Pakistan was bundled out for 128 runs and recorded their biggest loss to India in ODIs and the largest ever by runs. To top that, they lost the services of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah due to injuries. 

They had to defeat Sri Lanka to reach the final and batting first, they posted 252/7. Sri Lanka needed 252 runs by DLS method and though Pakistan took some early wickets, Sri Lankan batters in the middle order, Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis made sure their team romped home with 2 wickets in hand. 

Pakistan basically fell apart as a result of this and reports emerged of infighting between captain and players and rumors flew that there will be big changes in Pakistan’s final World Cup squad. It remains to be seen how Pakistan responds in the World Cup which begins on October 5. 

2. Sri Lanka- 7/10

Sri Lankan Cricket Team. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

Sri Lanka came into the tournament having lost the services of their two fastest bowlers Samantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara and then Dilshan Madushanka also got injured. They had rested Wanindu Hasaranga who had a niggle as well. 

Depending on their batting prowess, Sri Lanka managed to get into the Super 4s with wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They began Super 4s by defeating Bangladesh by 21 runs and knocking them out of the race for the finals. But in their next match, despite bowling out India for 213, Sri Lanka couldn’t chase the runs against the potent spin of Kuldeep Yadav and lost by 41 runs. 

In a must-win game against Pakistan for a spot in the final, Sri Lanka played their best cricket on the day when their bowling and batting came well and they qualified for the final with a last-Ballwin. But in the final, they suffered the ultimate humiliation in front of thousands of local support. India bowled them out for 50 runs after Dasun Shanaka chose to bat and then chased down the total with 10 wickets in hand.

But looking back, it was an excellent performance from the Sri Lankan team who were missing their best bowlers. They also had a captain who wasn’t performing with the bat and the ball. And yet, they still were spirited enough to reach the final.      

1. India- 9/10

Asia Cup. (Photo Source: Disney+Hotstar)

India became 8-time Asia Cup champions by demolishing Sri Lanka in the final in Colombo. During the entire tournament, they only had two hiccups so to speak. Their batting looked rusty as Pakistan ran through their top order in Kandy, but Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya rescued them. 

Then their bowling looked rusty as Nepal posted 230 runs against them, but rain and openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill ensured India reached the Super 4s stage. And it was here, where India truly dominated. They were ruthless against Pakistan in Colombo, first destroying their bowling and their confidence with 356/2 as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul scored unbeaten centuries. Then Kuldeep Yadav gobbled their batters up as Pakistan folded for 128 and lost by 228 runs.  

Sri Lanka, despite bowling out India for 213, was no match for their terrific bowling lineup as they folded for 172 and lost by 41 runs, ensuring India qualified for the final of the tournament. This gave India a chance to rest a few of its top players against Bangladesh and though they ended up losing the match, they went down fighting with Shubman Gill scoring a century.

But in the final, it was a complete demolition job by Mohammed Siraj (6/21) as Sri Lanka was blown away for 50 runs. Rohit Sharma joined Mohammed Azharuddin and MS Dhoni as India captains to win the Asia Cup more than one time. 

In retrospect, it was a very good tournament to make things clear for the Indian team in regards to combination and it gave some players their form back. A few players made a successful return from their injuries and some excelled as ever. This makes India a threat in the World Cup 2023, but before that, they have to contend with five-time champions Australia in the upcoming ODI series at home.