Asia’s most prominent international cricket event returns after four years where six teams will battle for Asian supremacy. After getting cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, the prestigious tournament is back like never before. Unlike the previous edition, this year’s Asia Cup will be played in a T20 format.
The tournament was initially supposed to take place in Sri Lanka; but due to the ongoing economic crisis, the event was shifted to the UAE, which also hosted the previous season.
Here are the nations who will be participating in the Asia Cup:
• India
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh
• Afghanistan
• Hong Kong
The teams have been divided into two groups where Group A consists of India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong. The latter of which qualified for the tournament recently after winning the Asia Cup Qualifiers. Group B, which can also be called the “Group of Death”, consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan.
The top two teams of both groups will qualify for Super 4 where all four teams will play against each other once. The two teams who will finish at the top will play in the final of the tournament on the 11th of September.
The highlight of the tournament will be the clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan who play each other only in ICC tournaments or in the Asia Cup. Both teams have not competed in a bilateral series since 2012 due to poor political relations between the two countries.
The last time these two clashed was in the T20 World Cup last year where Pakistan registered a historic win as they defeated India for the first time at a World Cup. This time, the two Asian Giants will meet on Sunday, August 28th at 2:00 P.M GMT at Dubai International Stadium.
Although Pakistan secured the win last time, India will enter the match and the competition as favourites to win. This is because India is yet to lose an international series ever since Rohit Sharma became India’s full-time captain. India is priced at 1.40 by bookmaker Parimatch ahead of this blockbuster clash. Pakistan is currently priced at 2.95.
India vs. Pakistan Winner Odds
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 26, 8:00 A.M (GMT)
India and Pakistan received a major blow before the event as India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistan’s leading pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi were ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Also, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid will join the team late as he tested positive for Covid before flying to the UAE.
Nevertheless, both India and Pakistan are expected to qualify for the Super 4 and then play in the finals of the tournament as both look strong on paper compared to the other teams.
India is booked as favourites to win the tournament for the third time in a row with the odds of 1.60. Pakistan stands in second place with their odds at 4.25 followed by Sri Lanka priced at 9.00. Hence, we may get to see India and Pakistan compete thrice in two weeks!
Asia Cup Winner Odds (outright)
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 26, 8:00 A.M (GMT)
The tournament will get underway with a Group B clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on the August 27th at 2:00 P.M GMT. Sri Lanka head into the opening game as favourites with odds of 1.62 while Afghanistan is coming in at 2.31.
But it would be foolish to underestimate Afghanistan as they are certainly the tournament’s dark horse. The Afgan team have some exceptional match winners including the likes of the world’s best leg spinner in Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, and mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rehman, who can cause serious headaches for the opposition.
Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan Winner Odds
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 26, 8:00 A.M (GMT)
The Indian team has shown their might in the Asia Cup as they have won the last two tournaments. Can the Rohit-led side make it three in a row or will we see a new winner? We’ll find out soon.
