It’s been a fairly traumatic summer for India’s cricketers in England. They lost the Test series and also the ODI series but several of their squad will be on a plane out to the United Arab Emirates before the weekend as they are in the party named to take part in the 2018 Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup is held every two years and takes on added importance this year as it’s the last chance for players to play tournament cricket prior to next year’s World Cup in England. The first Asia Cup was held in 1984 in the UAE and the 14th edition is also be held in that country with matches shared between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Conditions in the UAE will certainly be more appealing to the Indian batsmen and bowlers than the swing-friendly conditions in England. Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are all heading to the Middle East to play for an India side captained by Rohit Sharma – Virat Kohli is being rested. Six-times winners INDIA are strong favourites at 5/6 with William Hill but you can never underestimate arch-rivals PAKISTAN, Asia Cup winners in 2000 and 2012, in tournament cricket.
Sarfraz Ahmed’s side arrive off the back of a thumping 5-0 ODI series win against Zimbabwe and their top order looks strong with Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Malik, Babar Azam and Asif Ali all included. Pakistan play their ‘home’ matches in the UAE because of secutrity concerns at home so are finely attuned to conditions. Spinners generally thrive and Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nawaz are all masters of their craft. Young pace bowler Shaheen Afridi has also been included and they may be the value in the market at a best 5/2 given they will almost certainly reach the final if playing up to their potential.
Veteran Lasith Malinga has been recalled to a vastly experienced Sri Lanka squad but that only underlines the lack of young players coming through the ranks and the pitches in the UAE will not produce his optimum conditions. SRI LANKA, who have won the Asia Cup on four previous occasions, are 13/2 with William Hill in the outright betting but are no certainties to better BANGLADESH (12/1 with William Hill) and AFGHANISTAN (a best 20/1) in Group B.
Improving Afghanistan recently beat the West Indies and Ireland in ODIs and Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are all competent one-day spinners. Pace bowlers Sayed Sherzad and Wafadar will both make their ODI debuts having already placed Test and T20 cricket.
Asia Cup 2018 Outright Betting
India 5/6, Pakistan 5/2, Sri Lanka 13/2, Bangladesh 12/1, Afghanistan 20/1, Hong Kong 200/1
(Odds correct at 2.15pm on September 10)
