The 14th edition of Asia Cup and the 13th edition of ODI Asia Cup will be held in United Arab Emirates (UAE) that is going to begin on this Saturday (September 15). A total of six teams are going to participate in this tournament in two different groups, consisting of three teams each.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will fight in Group B. Before the beginning of this tournament, let’s check out the brief previews of the Group B teams.
Also read: Asia Cup 2018: Preview – Group A
Bangladesh (Latest ODI ranking: 7)
The present no.7 ODI ranked team Bangladesh is gradually rising up in international level. The two-time Asia Cup runners-up (one in ODI format and one in T20I format) Bangladesh is one of the strong team in this edition.
While the experienced cricketers take the major roles in the big matches, the young players also provide important support for the side. This Asian team’s confidence has gradually grown up with their recent improving performances, especially in the ODI format. Apart from being a strong home team, their overseas performances are also getting better. The team is becoming more mature in international cricket as the time progresses.
Also read: Mashrafe Mortaza on Asia Cup: We are not so far from the other team
While UAE organised this tournament twice before this year (1984 and 1995), Bangladesh featured in only 1995 where they lost in all the three games. However, this side is very different from that edition.
Full squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Ariful Haque, Mominul Haque, Abu Hider, Rubel Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Nazmul Islam, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Nazmul Hossain Shanto
Sri Lanka (Latest ODI ranking: 8)
The present no.8 ODI ranked team Sri Lanka is one of the most successful teams in Asia Cup history. They are the only team to feature in each of 13 previous Asia Cups (including T20I format) where they reached in finals for 11 times (all in ODI formats).
Currently, the team is running in the transition period as they are struggling to achieve consistent success in the international cricket. However, Sri Lanka is still a strong team as a host side and on the overall Asian soil. The Sri Lankan Asia Cup squad has a good mixture between the experienced and young cricketers and they have the ability to achieve success in this tournament.
Also read: Dinesh Chandimal Ruled Out Of The Asia Cup
While UAE organised this tournament twice before this year (1984 and 1995), Sri Lanka finished as the runners-up in both the editions.
Full squad: Angelo Mathews (c), Amila Aponso, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Shehan Jayasuriya, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga
Afghanistan (Latest ODI ranking: 10)
The present no.10 ranked ODI team Afghanistan is winning heart in the cricket world through their recent performances. The upcoming edition might be only their second appearances in this tournament history, but the team has the high chances to stun the cricket world again with their performances.
Spinners are the biggest strength of this team and the Afghanistan players know very well the UAE conditions due to using these venues as their home venues in international cricket. Moreover, with the time progresses, the batting and fielding are becoming stronger enough for the international cricket.
Also read: Players To Watch Out For In Asia Cup 2018
Featuring in the 2014 Asia Cup (ODI format), Afghanistan stunned the hosts Bangladesh as it is their only victory in the tournament history.
Full squad: Asghar Afghan (c), Javed Ahmadi, Munir Ahmad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Aftab Alam, Ihsanullah, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Samiullah Shenwari, Sayed Shirzad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran
Group B schedules
15 September – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai)
17 September – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi)
20 September – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi)
Post-Group Stages
At the end of the Group Stages, top two teams from each Group will qualify for the Super Four where each team will play against all other three teams once from September 21 to 26. It means once again each team will play with their one Group Stages team during the Super Four round.
The top two teams in the final points table will advance for the final that will be played on September 28 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai).
In the 2018 Asia Cup, two teams can play against each other for thrice if the same Group teams will qualify for the final.
(Important Asia Cup stats: only ODI formats)
Teams’ tournament records:
Teams’ overall performance records:
