The second edition of the Asia Cup cricket tournament in the twenty20 format will get underway on August 27 in the UAE. The final game in Dubai on September 11 will mark the end of the 16-day Asia Cup 2022 competition. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the winner of the qualifier tournament will compete in the main event. Let's take a look at the players who can have a significant influence on their teams during the Asia Cup 2022 competition. 12 players to keep an eye on at the 2022 Asia Cup The Asia Cup 2022 will feature some of the top cricketers in the world competing for their respective countries. These players have the power to alter a game's scenario on their own. Here are the top 12 players to keep an eye on during the fifteenth Asian Cup of cricket. Mustafizur Rahman T20I bowling stats since January 2021: M: 28 | Wkts: 33 | BBI: 4/12 | Ave: 20.75 | Econ: 7.32 Left-arm medium pacer Mustafizur Rahman will lead Bangladesh’s bowling attack in the Asia Cup 2022. So, there is an added expectation for Mustafizur to unleash his true potential during the tournament. He is a very effective pacer in Asian conditions as his cutter delivery works really well in this part of the world. Besides, Mustafizur has been Bangladesh’s most successful T20 bowler since 2021. Will he be able to live up to the hype in the upcoming competition? Read Shakib Al Hasan: Expectations from Bangladesh’s T20 captain in Asia Cup 2022 Mohammad Nabi T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 17 | Runs: 306 | HS: 43* | Ave: 27.81 | SR: 127.50 T20I bowling stats since January 2021: M: 17 | Wkts: 11 | BBI: 2/15 | Ave: 30.09 | Econ: 8.07 Afghanistan’s veteran cricketer, Mohammad Nabi, is currently the world's No. 1 all-rounder in the T20 format. He is a genuine breakthrough bowler and a very dangerous power hitter in the middle-order. Nabi hasn’t been in his best form lately. The Afghan team wants Nabi to find his rhythm during the Asia Cup main event. Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 25 | Runs: 259 | HS: 71 | Ave: 13.63 | SR: 122.16 T20I bowling stats since January 2021: M: 25 | Wkts: 46 | BBI: 4/9 | Ave: 12.67 | Econ: 6.13 One of the exciting young talents in the world is Sri Lanka’s spin bowling all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva. He is the second highest wicket-taker (46) in the Twenty20 format since January 2021, with an economy rate of 6.13. This stat speaks for itself about how lethal Wanindu Hasaranga is with his leg spin. Hasaranga also has power hitting ability and can accelerate the run rates lower down the order. This highly talented Lankan has the potential to be one of the most valuable players in the tournament. Read Asia Cup 2022: Who are favourites to lift the trophy? Rashid Khan T20I bowling stats since January 2021: M: 17 | Wkts: 22 | BBI: 4/9 | Ave: 18.40 | Econ: 6.39 Arguably the best T20 bowler in the world is Afghanistan’s leg-spin wizard, Rashid Khan. He is currently the best-ranked Asian bowler and overall third in the ICC’ rankings. Rashid will definitely be one of the most important players in the upcoming fifteenth edition of the Asia Cup. If he is in his best form, Afghanistan can surprise the big teams in their quest for the final. Suryakumar Yadav T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 23 | Runs: 672 | HS: 117 | Ave: 37.33 | SR: 175.45 India’s present T20 batting sensation is middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav. He is in the second position in the ICC’s T20 batting rankings and is only 13 rating points shy of No. 1 Babar Azam. Suryakumar Yadav will be a vital player for the Indian side to construct important partnerships in the innings. He is one of the favourites to be the leading run scorer of the tournament. Shaheen Shah Afridi T20I bowling stats since January 2021: M: 22 | Wkts: 25 | BBI: 3/26 | Ave: 24.80 | Econ: 7.73 Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan's left-arm pacer, is one of the top bowlers in the world right now. His ability to give early breakthroughs will be crucial for the Pakistan team during the competition. Shaheen will lead the Pakistan bowling attack during the competition. A lot will depend on Afridi in the case of Pakistan’s chances in the 2022 Asia Cup competition. Read Asia Cup 2022: What could Bangladesh’s squad look like? Hardik Pandya T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 24 | Runs: 446 | HS: 51 | Ave: 29.73 | SR: 139.81 T20I bowling stats since January 2021: M: 24 | Wkts: 12 | BBI: 4/33 | Ave: 34.50 | Econ: 8.11 Hardik Pandya is probably the most effective lower middle-order batter from Asia. In other words, he is the best No. 7 batter at the moment in the sub-continent. Therefore, Hardik has a lot of importance in the Indian team as a power-hitter in the death overs. Pandya is also a very effective medium pacer, especially in the middle overs. Mohammad Rizwan T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 30 | Runs: 1349 | HS: 104* | Ave: 71.00 | SR: 134.63 Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan is currently ranked no. 3 in the ICC’s batting rankings. He tops the list of most run scorers in the T20 format with 1,349 since January 2021. The Rizwan-Babar opening pair is arguably the best in the world in the Twenty20 format at the moment. The rest of the opponents will have a difficult time competing against Pakistan if this pair can get into their finest form. Dasun Shanaka T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 28 | Runs: 532 | HS: 74* | Ave: 29.55 | SR: 122.29 Pathum Nissanka is probably the most reliable batter for the Lankan side. However, the way Dasun Shanaka has batted this year is just simply outstanding. He has made 308 runs in 11 innings with a strike rate of 145.28 this year. Sri Lanka would have a better chance of winning the championship if he could maintain his strong batting performance in the forthcoming tournament. Read Asia Cup 2022 Schedule: Groups, full fixtures, venues Rohit Sharma T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 24 | Runs: 714 | HS: 74 | Ave: 31.04 | SR: 146.31  India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, is yet to lose a series after being appointed as a permanent captain of the format earlier this year. Rohit has a good reputation as a captain and his batting can be destructive at times. If Rohit shines with the bat, then the rest of the teams will surely find it difficult to stop India. The charismatic Indian captain is more than capable of leading his team to victory on his own and is committed to bringing home the eighth Asia Cup title for his nation. Babar Azam T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 30 | Runs: 1005 | HS: 122 | Ave: 38.65 | SR: 128.51 Arguably the best batter in the world across all formats, Pakistan’s Babar Azam is currently ranked no. 1 in the ICC’s batting rankings. He is in the form of his life with the bat and can be a nightmare for the opposition during the competition. Babar’s commanding batting display could help Pakistan win this year’s Asia Cup tournament. Shakib Al Hasan T20I batting stats since January 2021: M: 23 | Runs: 443 | HS: 68* | Ave: 21.09 | SR: 111.58 T20I bowling stats since January 2021: M: 23 | Wkts: 29 | BBI: 4/9 | Ave: 17.93 | Econ: 6.29 Bangladesh’s newly appointed Twenty20 captain and world No. 2 all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be determined to do well in the competition. Though Shakib’s recent form hasn’t been so impressive, there is no doubt about his ability as a player. Who can forget Shakib’s magnificent outing in the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup? If he can repeat that performance all through the competition, Bangladesh will have a decent chance of making it to the Asia Cup final. Read Asia Cup 2022: SWOT Analysis of Bangladesh National Men’s T20 Cricket Squad Bottom Line The top teams in the subcontinent will give it their all to win the Asia Cup 2022 event. Therefore, each team's prominent players will be very important during the major event. The above mentioned players have the potential to have an impact on their teams. These renowned cricketers are also serious candidates for the player of the tournament award. In addition to them, each squad has other key players who have the potential to step up and play vital roles for their respective teams. The team with the right balance and strength in each department is likely to advance to the competition's final.

Asia's men’s cricket championship is finally slated to start on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates after being repeatedly postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The full Asia Cup 2022 schedule was released on August 2 by the ACC. The fifteenth edition of the Asia Cup was planned to take place in Pakistan in September 2022. The ACC later revealed that Sri Lanka will host the 2022 Asia Cup while Pakistan will host the 2023 edition. However, Sri Lanka will not be able to host the event in their country due to the political and economic crisis. Instead, the tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates from August 27 to September 11. Let's look at the 2022 Asia Cup's teams, groups, full fixtures, and venues. Who will play whom in the Asia Cup 2022 group phase? With the Twenty20 World Cup in mind, the fifteenth edition of the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format. There will be two groups in the forthcoming 2022 Asia Cup. India, Pakistan, and the winner of the qualifier will play in Group A. On the other hand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will take on each other in Group B. The final phase of the qualifier competition will be held just before the main event. The teams who will compete in the qualifier are the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The champion team from the qualifier will advance to the main event of the Asia Cup 2022. Read Sri Lanka to host Asia Cup in UAE, ACC confirms The top two teams in each group will advance to the Super Four round, where each team will play against each other. The top two teams in the points table from the Super Four round will qualify for the final. India and Pakistan are expected to qualify from Group A, while there will be stiff competition between Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Group B to earn a place in the next phase. Venues for the 2022 Asia Cup After Sri Lanka’s inability to host the Asia Cup 2022, the UAE was the most preferable option for ACC. On July 27, the Asian Cricket Council confirmed that the fifteenth edition of the Men’s Asia Cup competition will be held in the UAE. This is the fourth time the United Arab Emirates will organize a men’s Asia Cup event. Six nations will compete in the main event of the Asia Cup Cricket competition in 2022. There will be a total of 13 matches, including the final. Two venues in the UAE, Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai and Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, will host the entire tournament. Dubai will host ten matches, while Sharjah will host the rest of the three matches. No matches will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Read Zimbabwe clinch maiden T20I series win over Bangladesh Asia Cup 2022 Venues with Notable T20I Stats    Dubai International Cricket Stadium Sharjah Cricket Stadium Capacity 25,000 16,000 International Matches 75 25 Highest Team Totals 211 215 Lowest Team Totals 55 44 Bat First Won 35 15 Field First Won 39 9 Highest Successful Run Chase 183/5 172/5 Average Score Batting First 143 150 Highest Individual Innings 93 (Martin Guptill) 118* (Mohammad Shahzad) Best Bowling Figures (innings) 5/14 (Imad Wasim) 5/13 (Samiullah Shinwari)    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Read Ryan Burl hits fifty as Zimbabwe post 156 Complete fixtures for the Asia Cup 2022 As per the Asia Cup 2022 schedule, the tournament will be opened with a match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on August 27. Bangladesh will play their first match against Afghanistan on August 30. Besides, the most anticipated contest in the group stage between India and Pakistan will be held on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The championship match will be held in Dubai on September 11. All the matches of the tournament will start at 8 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). Here is the full fixture for the 15th edition of the Asia Cup. Asia Cup 2022 full fixtures Date Match Venue  August 27 (Saturday) Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Dubai August 28 (Sunday) India vs Pakistan Dubai August 30 (Tuesday) Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Sharjah August 31 (Wednesday) India vs Qualifier Winner Dubai September 1 (Thursday) Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Dubai September 2 (Friday) Pakistan vs Qualifier Winner Sharjah September 3 (Saturday) Winner B1 vs Runner-Up B2 Sharjah September 4 (Sunday) Winner A1 vs Runner-Up A2 Dubai September 6 (Tuesday) Winner A1 vs Winner B1 Dubai September 7 (Wednesday) Runner-Up A2 vs Runner-Up B2 Dubai September 8 (Thursday) Winner A1 vs Runner Up B2 Dubai September 9 (Friday) Winner B1 vs Runner-Up A2 Dubai September 11 (Sunday) Final Dubai    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Read England to play 7 T20s in Pakistan next month A look back at past winners of the men’s Asia Cup cricket The first edition of the Asia Cup cricket competition was staged in the year 1984 in the United Arab Emirates. India won the inaugural edition of the tournament, while Sri Lanka finished second. Sri Lanka are the only country to have taken part in all editions of the tournament. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India have participated 13 times. India have dominated the Asia Cup competition with a record 7 titles. Sri Lanka have won the tournament five times, while Pakistan have won it twice. Bangladesh have hosted the Asia Cup men’s cricket tournament a record five times, but they have never won it. However, Bangladesh’s recent record in the competition has been quite impressive. They have reached the final thrice in the previous four events but lost the finals to Pakistan (2012) and India (2016, 2018). Read Zimbabwe opt to bat first in series decider The first twelve editions of the Asia Cup were in the ODI format. In 2016, the Asia Cup was hosted in a Twenty20 format for the first time. India won the inaugural T20 format Asia Cup by beating Bangladesh in the final by eight wickets. The 2022 edition will be the second time an Asia Cup will be held in the shortest format of the game. Let’s take a look at the past winners and runner-ups of the Asia Cup cricket competition. Asia Cup: Roll of Honour Year Host Champion Runner Up  1984 UAE India Sri Lanka 1986 Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Pakistan 1988 Bangladesh India Sri Lanka 1990/1991 India India Sri Lanka 1995 UAE India Sri Lanka 1997 Sri Lanka Sri Lanka India 2000 Bangladesh Pakistan Sri Lanka 2004 Sri Lanka Sri Lanka India 2008 Pakistan Sri Lanka India 2010 Sri Lanka India Sri Lanka 2012 Bangladesh Pakistan Bangladesh 2014 Bangladesh Sri Lanka Pakistan 2016 Bangladesh India Bangladesh 2018 UAE India Bangladesh    Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Cup Read South Africa’s Rabada injured ahead of England series Aftermath Asian countries have experience of playing international fixtures in the UAE, so neither team will face any major trouble adjusting to the conditions. The Asia Cup 2022 schedule confirms a blockbuster India vs Pakistan contest in the group stage, which many have regarded as a dress rehearsal for the final. The Indian cricket team has always dominated the Asia Cup cricket tournament, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan are in second and third position, respectively, in terms of overall performance. Bangladesh have performed well in recent tournaments, reaching three of the last four. In this year’s event, India will once again start as hot favourites and Pakistan will be their main competitor to clinch the title.