The 2nd half of the international cricket season of 2018 is starting soon and what better way to kick it off than the Asian teams battling out to earn boasting rights as the best in the business with the Asia Cup 2018. The tournament is set to take place from the 3rd to the 10th of June and features six countries- reigning champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh and hosts’ as well as first-time participants Malaysia.
As the start of this long-awaited tournament approaches, here is a quick preview of what might come. Though Team India are the reigning champions and are so far unbeaten in the Asia Cup, this edition could see the end of that winning streak as Team Pakistan poses a great threat. They are coming into the tournament in red-hot form with batters Javeria Khan, Nain Abidi and skipper Bismah Maroof being in ominous touch with the bat after a brilliant domestic season. The team will be confident about their chances as they are also coming off a 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka in their recent tour.
One of the hurdles for Pakistan will be India, under destructive batter Harmanpreet Kaur who will see this tournament as the perfect opportunity to put their recent T20 form behind them and gain momentum before the T20 World Cup in November. Coming off a disappointing tri-series with England and Australia earlier this year, they will be looking to bounce back and with the formidable opener Smriti Mandhana being supported by the likes of Mithali Raj and Kaur, they are fully capable of doing so.
Team Bangladesh has also gained some momentum heading into this edition of the Asia Cup. Even though they remained winless in their series against South Africa, they will find comfort in the fact that towards the end of the series, key players Shamima Sultana and all-rounder Rumana Ahmed both found form and bowler Khadija Tul Kubra took regular wickets.
Just before the start of the season, Sri Lanka has suffered two key losses due to dengue, those of skipper Chamari Atapattu- who smashed that unforgettable 178* against Australia in the World Cup- and bowling all-rounder Ama Kanchana. Shashikala Siriwardane has been named the captain in her place. Despite these losses, the Sri Lankan side is confident about their chances as Siriwardane said they will “strive to compensate for their losses and stage a good fight with quite a balanced and young side.” She also said the strength of her side lies in the bowling, so bowlers such as Inoshi Priyadharshani, who has returned to the squad, and former ODI captain and all-rounder Inoka Ranaweera will play key roles.
Compared to the other teams, the Malaysian and Thailand teams are not as experienced. However, they also have a few tricks up their sleeve. The Azmi sisters, who are a crucial part of the Malaysian team, will want to make their community, the Orang Asli community prouder of them by winning the Asia Cup after making history and winning bronze medals in cricket in the SEA Games last year. They will be supported by their captain Winifred Anne Duraisingam and the promising young player Christina Nina Baret.
Team Thailand will also look up to their skipper all-rounder Sornnarin Tippoch as she has uncanny ability to restrict runs and bowl only to her field as well as cause destruction with some hard-hitting down the order. Hoping to help her captain wreak havoc on the opposition will be Suleeporn Laomi, the highest wicket-taker for Thailand in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. Will one of these two underdog teams cause a massive upset?
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