The Asia Cup 2022 had everything: six finishes in the last over, one century, one five-for, and many thrills and spills. In the end, a tournament that tried to be important was the perfect way to get ready for the T20 World Cup.
Kusal Mendis
The strike rate was 156.56, and there were 155 runs. He had two ducks in a row at the end of the tournament but was a big part of Sri Lanka’s remarkable run to the final. He set the tone at the top of the order with his quick shots and fiery attitude, which helped the team reach their goals against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and India, 184, 176, and 174, respectively. He used to bat in the middle of the order, but now he bats first. Is good news for Sri Lanka preparing for the T20 World Cup?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
Numbers: 152 runs with a strike rate of 163.44; three catches
Gurbaz showed off his big-hitting on the first night when he hit 40 runs in 18 balls against Sri Lanka in a small chase. About a week later, also against Sri Lanka, he was at it again. He set up a substantial total by batting first with a strong 84 that took 45 balls. Even though he didn’t score against India, it was a good sign from a strong hitter at the top.
The strike rate was 147.59, and there were 276 runs—two fifty-fifties and then his first twenty-five hundred. Along the way, his century drought, which had lasted 1020 days across all formats, ended. He started shakily, but with each inning, he became more comfortable. At the end of the tournament, he was second in terms of runs, behind Mohammad Rizwan, and he looked like the strong player he used to be.
The strike rate was 104.25, and there were 196 runs.
Afghanistan showed that they are more than just spin bowlers and six hitters by putting on performances like Ibrahim’s. He is usually the first batter, but he has had to learn to bat in the middle order. He’s been the cool water amid the hot stroke-makers. His unbeaten 42 against Bangladesh was a big sign of responsibility in the face of a small chase, and his knocks of 40 and 64* against Sri Lanka and India showed that he had grown even more.
Chanuka Rajapaksa
The strike rate was 149.21, and there were 191 runs.
Nine months ago, he quit international cricket quickly but was persuaded to return. He was a key player for Sri Lanka because he played in the IPL and kept getting good scores all year. At the Asia Cup, when Sri Lanka’s back was against the wall, and they were in the final, he put on a great show. From 58 for 5, he and Wanindu Hasaranga helped them get back to 170 for 6, which a young team then defended.
Dasun Shanaka (capt)
One hundred eleven runs at a strike rate of 138.75; 2 wickets at an economy rate of 12.
Led a young team through a hard time and now is getting the credit for it. He was also an essential part of two big wins:
- A 33-ball 45 against Bangladesh when they were trying to get to 184.
- Against India, he did even better.
- He got rid of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, which kept India from reaching the finish they wanted.
- In the last over, he made a calm, unbeaten 33 with 18 balls to get them home.
Mohammad Nawaz
Numbers: 8 wickets in six innings with a strike rate of 143.63 and an economy rate of 5.89.
His simple left-arm spin overs gave Babar Azam some options for how to use him in the field, depending on how the players were matched up. With the bat, Nawaz was more than a handful, especially in Pakistan’s win over India, where he was brought in to stop India’s two legspinners. He answered with a 20-ball 42 to help them win and get closer to the final.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Numbers: 9 wickets in six innings, with an economy rate of 7.39 and 66 runs at a strike rate of 150.
He was a star with the bat in the final and the ball throughout the tournament. With him around, Sri Lanka didn’t have to worry about keeping the batters quiet in the middle overs. He ended the game with back-to-back three-wicket hauls, but his 58-run partnership with Rajapaksa off just 36 balls was the most important thing he did. Helped start the big comeback. He was second in the tournament with nine strikes.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Took 11 wickets in five innings, with a 6.05 economy rate.
It wasn’t a perfect game, as Bhuvneshwar’s death-overs shots went wrong more than once, but he was as good as they come with the new ball. Afghanistan learned this the hard way in the dead rubber when he knocked out their top four batters with an excellent spell of 5 for 4. In the tournament’s first game against Pakistan, he and Hardik worked together to help India win by putting a sharp short-ball plan into action. He finished the match with the most wickets taken.
Haris Rauf
Took eight wickets in six innings, with a 7.65 economy rate.
Haris Rauf would laugh if the other team thought they could take it easy after Pakistan’s relentless attack with the new ball. He can fool you, especially when he hits hard lengths. He can combine that with a lot of speed like he did in the final when he hit Danushka Gunathilaka’s stumps with a thunderbolt going 151 kph. His strength is his ability to bowl fast and hard during the innings.
Naseem Shah
Seven wickets in five innings, with an economy rate of 7.66.
The late curve that Naseem Shah bowled to Mendis in the final and got through to send stump cartwheeling was a small glimpse into his magical world. He hits the ball hard and fast and has a great short ball. When he hit back-to-back sixes to win the Sharjah thriller against Afghanistan, he reminded many people of the great Javed Miandad.
