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Asia Cup 2022: Standout performers and impact on upcoming T20 World Cup

From Asia Cup 2022 we examine the players that stood out and the effects of the tournament on the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in light of the recent end of the 15th edition of the Asia Cup. For Sri Lanka, who won the 2022 Asia Cup for the sixth time in the competition’s history, it was a happily ever after. The victory couldn’t have come at a better moment for Sri Lanka, both as a squad entering the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and as a country and its supporters experiencing difficult circumstances at home.

They were bowled out for 105 against Afghanistan, and the target was chased down in 10.1 overs, giving their tournament the worst conceivable start. Before they pulled victories against Bangladesh from the jaws of defeat in the group stage, the Islanders were on the verge of being eliminated from the competition. They became an unstoppable force from that point on and, more crucially, a strong, well-rested unit. They defeated Pakistan twice in a row, including in the championship game, after defeating India and Afghanistan in the Super Four round.

Mohammad Rizwan scored the most runs in Asia Cup 2022 (281 runs in six matches)

Mohammad Rizwan scored the most runs (281 runs in six matches)

Mohammad Rizwan had a special Asia Cup because he rose to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I batter rankings during the competition. With a solid 43 against India to start the tournament, the wicket-keeper batter went on to score two match-winning fifties. He provided the innings’ foundation with an unbeaten 78 off 57 as Hong Kong attempted to chase down 194 for a place in the Super Four. In the Super Four encounter against India, Rizwan once again led Pakistan in scoring with a match-winning 71 off 51 in a thrilling performance. The top scorer of the Asia Cup 2022, Mohammad Rizwan is very consistent throughout the tournament.

Rizwan got 55 off 49 balls in the final versus Sri Lanka, although it was far from his fluid best. This came after a couple of subpar performances with the bat. The six he used to complete his fifty put him above Virat Kohli’s tournament run total of 276 runs, but the 30-year-old was unable to lead his team to victory in the championship game.

Taking the most wickets: Bhuvneshwar Kumar with (11) wickets in 5 games of Asia Cup 2022

Taking the most wickets: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (11) wickets in 5 games

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s development couldn’t have come at a better time for India with the T20 World Cup rapidly approaching. The right-arm bowler started his competition with outstanding stats of 4/26 in the group stage match against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022, taking out the dangerous Asif Ali and Babar Azam. In three overs against Hong Kong, he only allowed 15 runs while being extremely economical and taking a wicket. In the Super Four match against Pakistan, he proved to be pricey, and in the match against Sri Lanka, he failed to pick up a wicket.

The 32-year-swing old’s created havoc in India’s tournament-winning game. All five of Bhuvneshwar’s wickets came in the Powerplay as he completed his first five-wicket haul in a T20I. With amazing figures of 4-1-4-5, he won the game. Although he played fewer games than Pakistan and Sri Lanka, he still finished the tournament with the most wickets in Asia Cup 2022.

Standout performer: Wanindu Hasaranga (9 wickets, 66 runs in six matches)

Standout performer: Wanindu Hasaranga (9 wickets, 66 runs in six matches)

Wanindu Hasaranga had a lackluster start to the competition of Asia Cup 2022, but his strong performance in the last round proved what a tremendous player he is. He eventually finished second in wickets taken and added significant runs when they were needed. The leg-spinner, despite taking two wickets, was ineffective in Afghanistan’s frantic 106-run chase and cost his team dearly against Bangladesh.

In the first two Super Four games, he failed to pick up a wicket, but towards the end of the competition, he changed the game for Sri Lanka in the history of the 2022 Asia Cup. He destroyed Pakistan’s batting order in the final Super Four game by taking the lives of Babar, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Asif Ali, who collapsed for 121.

With three overs remaining, Sri Lanka easily defeated Pakistan thanks to his three-ball cameo for 10*. Hasaranga entered the fray in the ninth over of Sri Lanka’s match against Pakistan when they were facing a certain defeat at 58/5. With a four on the first ball, he set the tone and helped Sri Lanka’s fortunes change.

Even though he was five down, Hasaranga continued to smash the boundaries. In the thirteenth over, he smacked Mohammad Hasnain for a six and a four. He was out after hitting Haris Rauf with back-to-back boundaries, but his 21-ball 36 helped Sri Lanka gain the upper hand. The Lions were able to set a target of 171 thanks to his innings, which enabled Bhanuka Rajapaksa to keep his wicket for the final few overs.

He didn’t get a wicket in his first three overs with the ball. When charged with bowling the 17th over, he changed the course of the match by capturing Mohammad Rizwan, Asif Ali, and Khushdil Shah while conceding only two runs. From that point on, Pakistan was unable to recover, and Sri Lanka went on to win the match by a score of 23 runs.

What we found out prior to the T20 World Cup 2022

What we found out prior to the T20 World Cup

With five of the six participating nations taking part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia next month, the Asia Cup 2022 arrived at the ideal time for the Asian sides. Ironically, Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka will have to advance through the First Round before joining the other teams in the following round. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have already secured their spots in the Super 12.

The Asia Cup helped all the teams identify any potential gaps in the jigsaw puzzle while also giving them the experience and pressure of competing in a multi-team competition.

Champions: Ricky Ponting’s first five World T20I XI players | ICC Review In Group A of Round 1 against Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka now has momentum on their side and, if they weren’t already, will be a strong favorite. Even if the usual suspects excelled, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Pramod Madushan have the potential to be game-changers and advance far in the T20 World Cup.

Runners-up After a poor start and finish to the competition, Pakistan will need to reflect. The discovery of the competition, Naseem Shah, ought to be traveling to Australia, and the potential return of Shaheen Afridi ought to improve their bowling even more. However, there are a number of concerns with their batting, beginning with Babar Azam’s unimpressive performance. The middle of the order has also fallen short of expectations and may undergo some changes for the T20 World Cup.

The ICC Evaluation Ponting evaluates Kohli’s return to the Asia Cup 2022

The ICC Evaluation Ponting evaluates Kohli's return to the Asia Cup

Virat Kohli’s resurgence was the Asia Cup biggest plus for India. He finished the event with 276 runs in five matches with a strike rate of 147.59, placing him second in the run totals. With his tonne against Afghanistan, he put an end to his century-dry spell and appears to have rediscovered his stroke.

India’s early elimination from the tournament, though, might make them reevaluate a few things, such as the opening position and who wears the gloves behind the wicket. The management will be forced by Ravindra Jadeja’s injury to locate a suitable substitute while also keeping the team’s balance.

Afghanistan ran a campaign that was inconsistent but occasionally brilliant, with flashes of brilliance. Their top order has been addressed by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s ascent in time for the World Cup, but the middle order has to step up. With the exception of Najibullah Zadran, the middle order has struggled to score significant runs in almost the whole Asia Cup.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, has no shortage of elite spinners, but they will be hoping their fast bowlers can join the fun. The bowling has had significant difficulty in the final overs and has been accountable for giving up too many runs overall.

Does Shakib represent the best option to govern Bangladesh? | ICC Evaluation

Does Shakib represent the best option to govern Bangladesh? | ICC Evaluation

Bangladesh had a disappointing tournament because they were eliminated early from their group without a victory in Asia Cup 2022. Mushfiqur Rahim, a seasoned player, opted to end his T20I career after the Asia Cup, giving Shakib Al Hasan and company little time to find a replacement before the World Cup. The only positive aspect of the competition was Mosaddek Hossain’s batting performance, and they are hopeful he can continue it in Australia.

Top Quotes:

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, a batter for Sri Lanka: “We want to maintain this momentum going into the World Cup. All Sri Lankans are going through a difficult period right now because of the issue at home, but we hope that we have managed to make some of them smile. The entire country has been waiting for this for a very long time.”

Coach Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan: “With the way we played, we last year advanced to the T20 World Cup semifinals and this year won the Asia Cup. There is evidence that your efforts to arrive here have been successful.”

Virat Kohli, a batter for India: “From Asia Cup 2022 I feel extremely fortunate and appreciative. I’ve learned a lot over the past 2.5 years. The celebrations for my upcoming 34th birthday are all in the past.”

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