The 2023 Asia Cup is approaching the final, with the last match of the Super Four stage between India and Bangladesh. While India was dominant throughout the tournament, Bangladesh is eager to conclude their continental campaign with a big win. This highly anticipated IND vs BAN clash is set for this Friday, September 15, 2023, at 3:30 PM at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Preview of IND vs BAN ODI in Asia Cup 2023 Since this game won’t affect the trophy race, and the Indian team will have only one day of rest before the finals, it’s likely that the Indian team management will opt to rest some key players. Shreyas Iyer, who was sidelined in India’s last two matches due to a back spasm, is anticipated to be fit for this upcoming game. Meanwhile, the experienced fast bowler Mohammad Shami may step in for Jasprit Bumrah to ensure Bumrah’s fitness for the crucial final match. The head coach of the Tigers, Chandika Hathurusingha, had previously announced that there would be no team practice during a three-day break from September 10 to the 13. Two key Bangladeshi players, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim, have temporarily left the squad to attend to family matters in Dhaka. While Shakib will join the squad, Mushfiqur Rahim will be absent from the Asia Cup Super Four match against India on Friday. Bangladesh Cricket Board has granted him an extension of leave to be with his newborn child and family. Read more: Banglabandhu Beach Volleyball begins in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday Bangladesh’s performance in the Super Four stage has fallen short of the high expectations of their fans. Unfortunately, they have been eliminated from the tournament. The dreams of achieving their first continental championship have diminished for skipper Shakib Al Hassan’s team, especially after suffering losses in their first two Super Four matches. Their big 89-run victory over Afghanistan in the group stage, which secured their place in the Super Four, stands as their sole triumph in this tournament. The Tigers are now hoping for a positive result in their final Super Four match before they prepare to host New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting on September 21. In the other two Super Four matches, Sri Lanka won over Bangladesh by 21 runs, and Pakistan won by 7 wickets. On the other hand, India is approaching their final Super Four match as the only team in the tournament that remains undefeated. The Men in Blue delivered an impressive 228-run victory over their arch-rivals, Pakistan, during the Super Four stage. They followed this up with a successful defense of 213 runs against Sri Lanka, which they won by 41 runs. Despite not being able to complete a full 100-over game in the group stages, the seven-time Asian champions have now played on the R. Premadasa Stadium field for three consecutive days. They are now looking forward to a brief break before stepping onto the field against Bangladesh. Read more: Mushfiqur Rahim to Miss Super Four Clash Against India Predicted XIs for India Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj. Predicted XIs for Bangladesh Mohammad Naim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed. IND vs BAN Head to Head ODI Matches So Far Despite a strong effort from the Bangladesh team, India has consistently held the upper hand in this rivalry. The Men in Blue maintain a commanding lead in the head-to-head record, with an impressive 31 victories out of 39 encounters, while the Bangladesh Tigers have managed to secure victory only seven times thus far. One match had no result. Read more: Wellalage’s all-round show in vain as India clinch low-scoring affair vs Sri Lanka Key Indian Players to Watch Rohit Sharma The 36-year-old Indian captain is presently at the top of the run-scoring leaderboard, scoring 194 runs at an impressive average of 64.66. In his latest match against Sri Lanka, he reached the significant milestone of 10,000 runs in ODI cricket. Although he has scored half-centuries three times in this tournament, Rohit has not yet managed to score his first century. He will be eager to achieve this milestone in the remaining two innings before the tournament concludes. Virat Kohli In his remarkable innings against Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, Kohli surpassed the milestone of 13,000 runs in ODI, becoming the fifth player in men’s ODIs to achieve this remarkable feat. However, he scored only three runs in the next match against Sri Lanka. But his excellent batting against Pakistan resembled his comeback. So, Kohli might repeat that performance against the Tigers. KL Rahul Indian batsman K.L. Rahul achieved a century during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Pakistan at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Monday. He returned to the Indian side after a nearly three-month absence due to multiple injuries and reached the century mark by hitting a double off Naseem Shah’s delivery. So, Rahul will be looking for another good score in the next match to make his position permanent in the team. Overall, KL Rahul played 56 matches for India and scored 2136 runs, which includes 6 centuries. Read more: India clinch historic victory against Pakistan by a staggering 228-run margin Key Bangladeshi Players to Watch Taskin Ahmed Bangladeshi captain will assign crucial responsibility to Taskin, aiming to stop the star-studded Indian top-order, which has been dominating pacers throughout this ongoing competition. Taskin Ahmed shares the distinction of being the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup 2023, having taken nine wickets from four innings. The 28-year-old fast bowler played a pivotal role in their victory over Afghanistan, recording impressive bowling figures of 4 for 44 in 8.3 overs. He is expected to be a key factor in the success of the Bangladesh team. Shakib Al Hasan Captain Shakib Al Hasan is yet to give his best performance in this Asia Cup 2023. However, he played his role well as the captain. But overall, his batting and bowling performance has been dimmed recently. So, fans can expect one last performance before returning to home. So far, he scored 93 runs and grabbed 2 wickets in this Asia Cup. Towhid Hridoy Towhid failed to contribute to Bangladesh greatly in the first three matches of the Asia Cup 2023. In the first match, he scored 21 runs off 41 balls without any boundaries. In the next match against Afghanistan in Lahore, Bangladesh won by 89 runs, but he scored a zero. He also got out in a single-digit against Pakistan in the Super Four. However, Towhind knocked a brilliant batting performance in the last match against Sri Lanka, scoring 82 runs off 97 balls. So, we can expect another knock in the next match. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis Final Words Considering the match results so far in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 ODI tournament, it can be said that team India is favorite in the contest. However, nothing is impossible in cricket. To secure their first Super Four stage victory, Bangladesh need to show outstanding performances in all sectors including batting, bowling and fielding.  Bangladesh team should follow team Sri Lanka’s strategy to give a good fight, as they are the only team in this Asia Cup who gave an excellent fight against India. But, considering the team India’s performance, they have full potential to win the IND vs BAN Super Four Round match. Read more: Tigers aim for a memorable end to their Asia Cup campaign by facing India

Sri Lanka and Pakistan are scheduled to compete in the fifth match of the Super Fours stage of the 2023 Asia Cup, which will take place at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The game is set to commence at 3 pm (Indian standard time) on September 14, 2023. It is a do or die match for both teams, as whoever wins reaches the final. Preview of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI in Asia Cup 2023 India, the host of next month's World Cup, secured a 41-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday. This win guarantees their place in the top two of the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023. This outcome now sets the stage for a crucial showdown between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The winner of this match will earn a spot in Sunday's final at R Premadasa Stadium. However, if the India vs Sri Lanka match was abandoned due to weather conditions, Sri Lanka would advance to the final based on their superior net run rate, as there is currently no designated reserve day. Recently, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have showcased impressive performances in the ODI. Sri Lanka had enjoyed a remarkable 13 consecutive winning streak before their loss to India on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Pakistan has only suffered two defeats in their last 11 ODIs, which includes four consecutive victories against New Zealand in a 5 match ODI series that took place from April 27, 2023, to May 7, 2023. Read more: Mushfiqur Rahim to Miss Super Four Clash Against India Overall, Sri Lanka’s performance in Asia Cup 2023 is very impressive. Out of their four Asia Cup matches, they just lost one match so far, which was against India in the Super Four Round. But, still, they are facing challenges to reach the final. Pakistan, on the other hand, also lost one match, and it was against India in the Super Four round. Out of their four matches, the most anticipated match against India in the group stage was abandoned due to rain. Then Pakistan won their first Super Four Match against Bangladesh, and after that, they lost the second Super Four Match against the arch-rival India. However, this match would have been washed out, too, if there were no reserve match. As a result, Team Pakistan is in a challenging situation right now. Further, Pakistan has included Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan in their squad as a backup as Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf faced injury. They are doubtful for the next match. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka holds an advantage due to their players' impressive performances, their commitment to defending the championship, and the favorable playing conditions at home. However, Pakistan also has a tough squad, and their familiarity with Sri Lankan soil positions them well to secure a victory. So, there is no doubt that the match will be highly competitive. Read more: Banglabandhu Beach Volleyball begins in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday Probable Playing XI for Pakistan Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Zaman Khan/ Haris Rauf. Probable Playing XI for Sri Lanka Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana. PAK vs SL Head to Head ODI Matches So Far These two teams have faced off in a total of 155 ODI matches. Pakistan has emerged victorious in 92 of these encounters, highlighting their cricketing excellence, while Sri Lanka has secured 58 wins, establishing themselves as a challenging opponent. Additionally, there has been one tied match and 4 games that ended with no result due to various factors. This extensive history of ODI battles between Pakistan and Sri Lanka mirrors the fluctuations in cricketing fortunes, and it's a source of great anticipation for cricket fans in Asia as well as worldwide. Key Players to Watch in Pakistan Team Fakhar Zaman Despite Pakistan's poor performance in the last match against India, Fakhar Zaman was one of the top scorers with 27 runs from 50 balls. He has the ability to be a game-changer when he finds his rhythm. He has been in great form this year as he scored 640 runs from 15 matches with an average of 49.23, demonstrating his consistency. His strike rate stands at around 86.48 in 2023, which resembles his aggressive and fast-paced style of play. Read more: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh complete their journey empty-handed Haris Rauf Haris Rauf has become a vital asset for Pakistan in ODI cricket due to his pace and the ability to maintain economical bowling figures. So far, he has played 28 matches and took 53 wickets with 5/28 best bowling figures. However, Rauf has yet to play against Sri Lanka. So, this match will be his first appearance against Sri Lanka. He has played all four matches in this Asia Cup and took 9 wickets with 4/19 best blowing stats. However, Haris Rauf is doubtful for the next match due to injury. But scans have revealed no tear on his right flank. Babar Azam Babar couldn’t give his best in the last match against India. He only scored 10 runs from 24 balls. But overall, he scored 178 runs in this Asia Cup, which consisted of 151 runs against Nepal. He has firmly established himself as one of the greatest cricketers of his generation. However, he might enter this match with an aim to prove his batting skills. Key Players to Watch in Sri Lanka Team Dunith Wellalage His five wickets in the last match against India made him a player to watch for the next match. So far, he has taken 9 wickets in this Asia Cup from four matches. Overall, Dunith Wellalage played 13 matches for Sri Lanka and grabbed 18 wickets. But his 5/20 performance in the last match is the best of his career. Charith Asalanka He has shown remarkable consistency in this Asia Cup, having scored 130 runs. On top of that, his bowling performance in the last match surprised the fans as he grabbed 4 wickets with a 2.0 economy rate. As a result, fans will be watching him closely with high expectations in the next match. In his overall ODI career for Sri Lanka, he has played 39 matches and accumulated a total of 1223 runs, with his highest score being 110. Therefore, we anticipate that Asalanka will make a significant impact on Sri Lanka's middle order against Pakistan. Read more: Rubiales resigns as Spain's soccer president 3 weeks after kissing player at Women's World Cup final Sadeera Samarawickrama Sadeera Samarwickrama currently ranks as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament, scoring a total of 167 runs across four innings. However, he scored only 17 runs in the match against India. In his overall ODI career for Sri Lanka, Sadeera has participated in 21 matches, accumulating a total of 567 runs. While he has yet to score a century, Sadeera has an admirable strike rate of 90.28. Final Words Pakistan may not get their regular bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf as they faced injury in the last match against India. Hence, Sri Lanka might have a competitive edge here. On top of that, Sri Lankans are playing on their home ground. So, the Lankans are already confident enough to give their best. Despite the injury effect, Pakistan still possesses a quality bowling attack that can pose challenges for Sri Lanka. Considering the batting inconsistencies and the bowling strengths in both lineups, it appears to be a closely contested match. Nevertheless, with a slightly more experienced squad and a more promising batting lineup, Pakistan is expected to have an advantage in this PAK vs SL ODI in Asia Cup 2023 and is favored in our match prediction. Read more: Novak Djokovic wins the US Open for his 24th Grand Slam title by beating Daniil Medvedev

India will face Sri Lanka in the fourth match of the Super Four Round on September 12, 2023, at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The IND vs SL match will start at 3:30 pm Bangladesh time. India will join the match without a rest day as their previous match against Pakistan shifted to reserve day on September 11. Preview of India vs Sri Lanka ODI Match in the 2023 Asia Cup  Rain has had a significant impact on the Asia Cup, particularly affecting the Indian cricket team. India had managed to complete only one full game, which was interrupted by rain when they faced Nepal. Their first match against Pakistan was abandoned entirely due to rain, although they did have the opportunity to bat. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India secured an impressive 10-wicket victory against Nepal in their second game. However, their highly anticipated India vs Pakistan Super Four match encountered multiple interruptions due to rain. And the match has shifted to reserve day. On Monday, India resumed their innings at 147-2 in the 50-over game. This interruption came after rain abruptly halted their innings, following Pakistan's choice to bowl first in Colombo. Read more: India clinch historic victory against Pakistan by a staggering 228-run margin Virat Kohli, at eight runs, and KL Rahul, at 17 runs, were at the crease when the rain started, causing the players to leave the field. The ground staff made hardworking efforts to prepare the field for a potential restart after the showers stopped. Despite three inspections by the umpires signaled resuming the match, it was ultimately the rain that had the final say. Captain Rohit Sharma, with a score of 56, and opening batsman Shubman Gill, who contributed 58 runs, provided India with an excellent start, establishing a challenging partnership of 121 runs from 100 balls, which already put Pakistan under pressure. In contrast, Sri Lanka successfully completed their first Super Four match against Bangladesh with a win and is now filled with confidence as they prepare to face India. Sri Lanka lost the toss and went to bat first in their last Super Four match against Bangladesh. They scored 257 runs, losing 9 wickets. Bangladesh scored 236 runs from 48.1 overs. Hence, Sri Lanka won by 21 runs. In the group stage, Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh and Afghanistan. However, among the three matches in this Asia Cup, Sri Lanka faced a tough time against Afghanistan. But they won the match by two runs. Despite being weaker than India, the three wins in the Asia Cup will surely give them enough confidence to give a good fight against India. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis Probable Playing XI for India Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Probable Playing XI for Sri Lanka Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana. IND Vs SL Head to Head ODI Matches So Far In head-to-head encounters, India has a substantial advantage over Sri Lanka, with a lead of 39 more victories. In one-day internationals, India and Sri Lanka have met on 165 occasions. Out of these, India emerged victorious 96 times, while they suffered defeat in 57 matches. Additionally, 11 games concluded without a result, and one game ended in a tie. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues Key Indian Players to Watch Shubman Gill This rising star in Team India has gained acclaim for his explosive batting skills. And he has proven himself whenever he gets a chance. In the last match against Pakistan, he scored 58 runs from 52 balls with a 111.54 strike rate. In addition to this performance, this year, Shubman Gill showcased his talent by scoring an impressive total of 885 runs in 15 matches, with a remarkable average of 68.07. Apparently, he is well-known for his ability to deliver match-winning performances. Rohit Sharma Although Rohit is having a bit of time in his career, his last performance against Pakistan was incredible. His 56 runs from 49 balls at 114.29 strike rate helped India to score a quick hundred. Rohit Sharma's ODI career is marked by an impressive record of 9,978 runs in 247 matches, which includes an extraordinary 30 centuries and three double centuries. In addition to his exceptional batting skills, he also contributes valuable leadership skills, with the aim of steering India towards championship success. Jasprit Bumrah India's bowling strength significantly depends on Jasprit Bumrah, who leads their pace attack and is widely recognized for his ability to give a breakthrough when needed. As he returns to the squad, India will surely be able to put some pressure on Lankan batters. Bumrah has an impressive track record, having taken 121 wickets in 72 innings, with his best bowling performance being 6/19. His unique skill of delivering crucial overs at the right moment in the innings makes him an invaluable asset for the Indian cricket team. Read more: Novak Djokovic wins the US Open for his 24th Grand Slam title by beating Daniil Medvedev Key Sri Lankan Players to Watch Matheesha Pathirana Matheesha took 7 wickets in this Asia Cup in just three matches. So, he can definitely contribute in the next match. However, he couldn’t do well against the Afghans. Overall, Matheesha Pathirana played 7 ODI matches so far in his career and took 12 wickets. The young star has enough potential to give his best against India. Sadeera Samarawickrama Sadeera has been doing well in this Asia Cup, as he scored 150 runs, with the highest score of 93 runs against Bangladesh in the last match. Overall, he played 20 ODIs for Sri Lanka and scored 550 runs. Although he has yet to score any century, Sadeera has a good strike rate of 92.12. Maheesh Theekshana Another young star, Maheesh Theekshana, is a valuable asset for Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023. He took six wickets in the last three matches. However, he got five wickets in his two appearances against Bangladesh in this Asia Cup. Overall, he has played 25 innings for Sri Lanka and got 42 wickets with 4/25 best bowling performance. Final Words After considering the head to head records and recent performance, India has a clean, competitive edge. Moreover, India whitewashed Sri Lanka in the last series in January 2023. So, if the weather remains okay, India has a great chance to win the IND vs SL Super Four Round game in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?

Cricket fans are waiting for an electrifying showdown as Pakistan faces off against India in the third match of the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four stage on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 3:30 PM Bangladesh time. The stage is set at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Both teams are riding high on their recent impressive victories and are eager to replicate their exceptional performances in the upcoming game. Preview of Pakistan vs India ODI in Asia Cup 2023 This is the second game for Pakistan in the Super Four round and the first game for India. Previously, Pakistan faced Bangladesh in their first Super Four round match. Pakistan bowled out Bangladesh for 193 runs with more than 11 overs to spare at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan won by 7 wickets after crossing this run with 63 balls to spare. Imam ul Haque and Mohammad Rizwan scored fifty. Before the Super Four Match, Pakistan got a big win against Nepal in the group stage. Pakistan scored 342 runs from 6 wickets, whereas Nepal was all out for 104 runs in 23.4 overs. India, on the other hand, smashed Nepal in the group-stage match. After batting first at Pallekele, Nepal was all out for 230 runs in 49 overs. After rain, India reached the target of 145 runs in 23 overs with 17 balls to spare on the DLS method. Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues There are no changes in the Pakistan squad, but the Indian Squad has two changes. After a four-month absence from the field, KL Rahul is set to rejoin India's ODI squad. While Ishan Kishan has been a dynamic force in recent matches, making the most of every opportunity, it's KL Rahul who has earned the trust of the selectors and the team management. During a recent press conference, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, mentioned the prospect of having both Rahul and Kishan in the playing eleven, but it seems unlikely to materialize. The lead-up to the World Cup could become a head-to-head battle between Rahul and Kishan. The upcoming Sunday fixture against Pakistan may serve as Rahul's first opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and form. Following his absence from the game against Nepal due to the birth of his first child, Bumrah has now reunited with the team for the Super Four round. He is set to make a comeback to the playing eleven alongside Rahul. However, it appears that there may not be a place for both Mohammed Shami and Kishan in the lineup. Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023 Probable Playing XI for Pakistan Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. Probable Playing XI for India Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (capt), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. PAK Vs IND Head to Head ODI Matches So Far India and Pakistan have a long-standing cricket rivalry that has produced some intense and memorable matches over the years. When it comes to their head-to-head ODI records, India has had the upper hand. Out of the 133 ODI matches played between the two teams, India has emerged victorious in 55 matches, while Pakistan has won 73 matches. Five matches had no result, including the last Asia Cup 2023 match. Pakistan’s dominance in the ODI format against India is evident, and their strong performances have contributed to their success in this rivalry. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues Pakistani Key Players to Watch Fakhar Zaman Fakhar Zaman, one of the team's opening batsmen, possesses the potential to be a game-changer if he hits his pace. Zaman has a strong track record against India and has been in impressive form of late. In 2023, he scored 613 runs from 14 matches with a 51.08 average, displaying his consistency, and his strike rate stands at approximately 88.84, indicating his aggressive and fast-paced style of play. Babar Azam Although Pakistan couldn’t bat against India in the last match, Babar Azam showed his aggressiveness against Nepal. He scored 151 runs from 131 balls, which made him one of the top scorers in this tournament. So, the captain himself will certainly be eager to give his best against the ultimate rivalry. Shaheen Afridi Shaheen Afridi has the potential to be the standout bowler for his team in the forthcoming game against India. Having already secured seven wickets in three matches during the Asia Cup 2023, he ranks among the top wicket-takers. Afridi will surely be eager to maintain his impressive form when facing India. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis Indian Key Players to Watch Virat Kohli Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli has the potential to emerge as the standout performer for his team in the upcoming match against Pakistan. Kohli had a disappointing outing in the third group stage match against Pakistan and didn't have an opportunity to showcase his batting skills against Nepal. Therefore, if he gets a chance to bat against their arch-rivals, Kohli could become a crucial force for India. He has been in excellent form this year scoring a total of 431 runs in 12 ODIs. Shubman Gill Team India's rising star has garnered recognition for his explosive batting abilities. He made his debut in India's fourth ODI match of the series against New Zealand on January 31, 2019. In 2023, Shubman Gill displayed his prowess by scoring a remarkable 827 runs in 14 matches, boasting an incredible average of 68.91. This right-handed top-order batsman is renowned for his composure and his knack for delivering match-winning performances. Mohammad Siraj Mohammad Siraj, India's rising fast-bowling talent, has showcased his exceptional skills on the cricket field. Born in 1994, this right-arm speedster made his ODI debut against Australia in January 2019. In the ODIs, Mohammad Siraj has impressively secured 46 wickets in just 26 matches, all while maintaining an outstanding economy rate of 4.86. Read more: Bangladesh concede second defeat to Sri Lanka in Asia Cup Final Words The matches between these two cricketing giants are always highly anticipated and fiercely contested, making it one of the most exciting rivalries in the world of cricket. With number one ranking in ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings, Pakistan is having the best time. On the other hand, India is also getting the pace. But compared to Pakistan, India is lagging behind. Indian top order will surely face problems getting fast scores against the Pakistani speed starts such as Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. There is no doubt that the PAK vs IND ODI match in Asia Cup 2023 will be highly competitive, but Pakistan has a great chance to emerge as the winner. However, there is a high chance of rain during the match, and a reserve day has been appointed if the match gets washed out. Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?

While the math may not yet guarantee Bangladesh's spot in the Asia Cup Super Four, a closer look at the current group standings and net run-rate suggests that Bangladesh has positioned themselves favorably for the Super Four. Bangladesh is placed in Group B of the Asia Cup, alongside Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. As of today, Bangladesh has played two matches, accumulating two points with one win and one defeat. Read: Asia Cup: Tigers crush Afghanistan to book Super 4 slot In contrast, both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have played just one match each. Sri Lanka clinched victory in their encounter with Bangladesh, while Afghanistan faced defeat in their sole match against Bangladesh. The pivotal match in this group is the upcoming clash between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Should Afghanistan emerge victorious in this encounter, every team in Group B would stand with an equal two points each. In this scenario, the teams that secure a berth in the Super Four will be determined by their respective net run rates. At present, Sri Lanka boasts a run rate of +0.951, Bangladesh follows with +0.373, and Afghanistan lags behind with a run rate of -1.780. This implies that a mere win against Sri Lanka won't secure Afghanistan a place in the Super Four; they will need a significant victory that can outshine Bangladesh's run rate. Read: Mehidy, Shanto smash centuries putting Afghans to the sword The pressing question then becomes: By what margin must Afghanistan defeat Sri Lanka to ensure their place in the Super Four? The answer to this query hinges on various factors, including the number of runs they score and the number of overs they utilize, of course, along with a win over Sri Lanka. Read: Bangladesh faces do-or-die battle against Afghanistan However, should Sri Lanka emerge victorious in the final group match, both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will secure their passage to the Super Four, while Afghanistan's journey in Asia Cup 2023 will come to an end.

Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in their second 2023 Asia Cup match, which is a do-or-die situation. The match will take place at Gaddafi Stadium on September 3 at 3:30 PM (Bangladesh time).  Bangladesh’s hopes of going to the Super Four of the Asia Cup faded after losing against Sri Lanka in the first match. Although on paper, Bangladesh still have a chance to go to the next round, the match against Afghanistan is highly important, and Bangladesh needs a big win. Asia Cup 2023: BAN vs AFG Match Preview Bangladesh’s Performance against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Asia Cup  Before the match even started against Sri Lanka on August 31, Bangladesh were worried about their opening pair. Their worry turned out to be true because Tanzid Tamim and Naim Sheikh didn’t do well at the beginning of the game. After the bad start, Bangladesh couldn’t make things better. The only player who did well was Najmul Hossain Shanto. He scored 89 runs in the game, and that’s how Bangladesh managed to get more than 150 runs. Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Six Players in Bangladesh ODI Squad to Watch However, the bowlers have struggled enough with this low score. After the speed and swing of Taskin Ahmed with the new ball, the Lankan batsmen had to give a tough test to the Shakib-Mehdi spin in the middle overs. However, Bangladesh’s 164 runs were not enough to hold them back in 50 overs. Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat in Pallekele on August 31 (Thursday). Bangladesh could not score more than 164 runs after losing all wickets in 42 overs. In response, Sri Lanka attained victory by losing 5 wickets in 39 overs. At this rate, the equation of survival in the tournament has become very difficult for Bangladesh. Now, to get a place in the Super Four, Bangladesh will have to match the difficult equation. Significance of the BAN vs AFG Match in the 2023 Asia Cup There is no alternative to victory against Afghanistan in the do or die battle at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 3. A win will keep the hopes of the Super Four alive while looking forward to the second and final match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. But if Bangladesh loses against the Afghans, the Tigers’ farewell will be confirmed. Read more: Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament Can Afghanistan Win the Match Against Bangladesh? Afghanistan will begin their Asia Cup by playing against Bangladesh. In the past, Afghanistan’s cricket team did really well in the Asian Cup and played in the Super Four in the last two ODI editions in 2014 and 2018. But they couldn’t make it to the finals. Before starting the Asia Cup 2023, the Afghans went to Sri Lanka to play against their closest neighbour, Pakistan, in a three-match ODI series that took place from August 22, 2023, to August 26, 2023. Sadly, they lost all three games in a row. But, before that, the Afghans won against Bangladesh by 2-1 in a three-match ODI series in Bangladesh that happened from July 5, 2023, to July 11, 2023. Hence, Afghanistan will be confident against the Tigers. Two important bowlers, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fareed Ahmed Malik, won’t be playing; the Afghan bowling team will depend a lot on 22-year-old Fazalhaq Farooqi. They will be looking to him to do well. Further, the Afghan team will also look forward to Karim Janat. He’s been asked to play for the national team again, and he’s excited to be back in ODI cricket after not playing it for six years. Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad Another player, Rahmat Shah, might also get to play in the Afghan team. He was not in the team for the last two games against Pakistan, but he might be in the lineup this time. Bangladesh’s Probable XIs Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman. Afghanistan’s Probable XIs Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi. Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Record Afghanistan got their ICC Associate member status in 2013 and debuted in the Asia Cup the very next year. Afghanistan’s team, led by Mohammad Nabi, won their first match in Asia Cup 2014 against Bangladesh. Although the Afghans won the first Asia Cup match against the Tigers in 2014, Bangladesh currently leads the overall ICC ODI head-to-head record by 8-6. These two cricket teams, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, have played against each other three times in the Asia Cup ODI version. They played one match in the 2014 Asia Cup and 2 matches in the 2018 Asia Cup. In the previous ODI edition of the Asia Cup in 2018, Afghanistan won against Bangladesh by a big margin of 136 runs in the group stage of the tournament. But in the same tournament, Bangladesh came back strong and beat Afghanistan in the Super Four. Bangladeshi Players to Watch Najmul Hossain Shanto Even though Bangladesh lost their first game in the tournament, Najmul Hossain Shanto did really well with his batting. He came to bat as the third player in his team and scored 89 runs from 122 balls. That means he played a big part in helping his team reach a total of 164 runs. He started batting very early in the game, in the second over, and didn’t get out until he helped his team get a good score. Read more: Bangladesh suffer thumping defeat in Asia Cup Vs. S Lanka Shakib Al Hasan Although Shakib could not do well with the bat in the first match against Sri Lanka, he tried his best with the ball and took 2 wickets at a 2.9 econ rate. Shakib has good records with Afghanistan, taking 27 wickets from 13 matches with 5/29 best bowling score. Shakib scored 367 runs in those 13 matches. So, he can play a significant role with the ball and bat against the Afghans. Afghan Players to Watch Rahmanullah Gurbaz Gurbaz, who is only 21 years old, has become the best and most dependable player in the Afghanistan batting lineup. He has been doing really well in ODIs. In the last series against Pakistan, he scored the most runs for the team, getting 178 runs in three innings with an average of 58 runs per game. Now, it’s up to him, as one of the best players from his team, to face the strong bowling side from Bangladesh and help Afghanistan start their innings well. Read more: Shaheen Dismisses Rohit and Virat Early as India Bat First in Asia Cup Clash vs Pakistan Fazalhaq Farooqi Left-arm fast-medium Fazalhaq Farooqi can be a great asset for Afghanistan. We have seen his performance in the recently ended series in August 2023 against Pakistan. He took 5 wickets in three matches. Farooqi also has a good record against Bangladesh and took 14 wickets from 6 appearances with a 4/54 best-blowing record. So, he might put pressure on Bangladeshi top orders. Final Words The upcoming Asia Cup match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan is expected to be acutely competitive. Both teams play in a similar style and are equally strong. But Afghanistan have an advantage because they won a series against Bangladesh in July 2023. Afghanistan will surely focus on Bangladesh’s main weakness, which is their weak batting lineup, to win this game. So, Afghanistan have a great chance to win the match and send Bangladesh out of the Asia Cup. Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry demonstrates how passionate people can get over their favourite sports. It's not just about playing a game, but it also represents a long story of history and culture that brings people together and sometimes separates them. Numerous cricket fans in South Asia and around the world are waiting to watch matches between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup ODI tournament. The first India vs Pakistan ODI match in the Asia Cup 2023 will take place on September 2 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium at 3:30 pm (Bangladesh time). Let’s take a look at the match preview. Preview of PAK vs IND 1st ODI match in the 2023 Asia Cup Pakistan had a really great beginning in the Asia Cup 2023 tournament. They chose to go first and bat against Nepal in Multan in their first match. They scored 342 runs from 6 wickets. The team's captain, Babar Azam, scored 151 runs from 131 balls, and Iftikhar Ahmed scored an impressive 109 not out from 71 balls. After that, when Nepal was batting, Pakistan's bowlers did a fantastic job and managed to get all of Nepal's players out for just 104 runs. This led to Pakistan winning the match by a big margin of 238 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed proved that he can be really good at batting when he comes to play later in the lineup. And then there's Mohammad Rizwan, too, who should be able to make the middle order of the lineup more steady and strong. Right now, Pakistan has the most dangerous group of fast bowlers in the world. The three of them — Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf — have been really strong on all types of cricket pitches. They're going to be a big challenge for India's batters. We think they might be able to get a few of India's top players out early in the game, even before the first powerplay is finished. India has a lot to show as they start their journey towards the ODI World Cup 2023. The Asia Cup will help the team get used to playing well and gaining some good energy. In the past seasons, India couldn't always play with their best team because many important players were often injured or needed rest. But this time, they have a really strong lineup that covers most of the important areas. Sadly, KL Rahul is still recovering from a small injury and won't be playing in the first two matches. Ishan Kishan will probably take his place in the team. Read more: Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament India vs Pakistan Head to Head in Asia Cup So Far India and Pakistan have played against each other 13 times in the men's ODI Asia Cup. India has a bit of an advantage because they've won seven out of those 13 matches. In the last Asia Cup ODI version, which was in 2018, the teams faced each other twice, and India won both times. The current captain of the Indian team, Rohit Sharma, probably remembers those two matches happily because he scored fifty runs in one and a hundred in the other. They have played against each other three times in Sri Lanka during the tournament's history. Each team won one game, and one game didn't end in a result. Probable Playing XI for Pakistan Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf. Probable Playing XI for India Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues Pakistani Players to Watch Babar Azam He has been doing really well in all kinds of cricket. And he has started the Asia Cup really impressively. Just this year, Babar has played 12 ODIs and has scored a total of 689 runs. His average score is around 57, which is really good, and he has a strike rate of 87, which means he is hitting the ball well. He has even scored two centuries and six fifties. Fakhar Zaman Fakhar Zaman, who is one of the opening players in the team, is also someone who can make a big difference in the game if he starts playing well. Zaman has done really well against India in the past and has been playing really nicely recently. In his last 10 matches, he has scored a total of 523 runs. On average, he scores about 58 runs in each match, and his strike rate is around 92, which means he's playing quite fast and aggressively. Read more: Asia Cup: Tigers depart for Pakistan Indian Players to Watch Virat Kohli Virat Kohli is going to be the key player to keep an eye on once again. He has been playing really well this year and has scored a total of 427 runs in 10 ODIs. On average, he scores around 53 runs in each match, which is really good. He has even scored two centuries (100 or more runs in a single game) and one fifty. Against Pakistan, he usually scores about 49 runs on average, and it wouldn't be surprising if he delivers another amazing performance, considering his skills as a great batter. Rohit Sharma Another player who can really change the game is Rohit Sharma. He is the captain of the Indian team. Against Pakistan, he usually scored around 51 runs on average over 16 ODIs. He has scored two centuries and six fifties in those matches. Even though he has not been playing his best in ODIs recently, we are hoping that Rohit will play a significant and impactful innings in this important match. Final Words India has done well against Pakistan in recent years in the ODIs. They have won four out of the last five matches they played against Pakistan. But the current Pakistan team is much better and they won't be easy to defeat. With Babar Azam playing so well and their strong bowling attack, they will be a tough challenge for India. The Indian team looks strong on paper, but many of their players are coming back from injuries. Because of this, they might not be at their best, and they could have some trouble facing Pakistan's fast bowlers, who are really good. On the other hand, Pakistan has been playing in Sri Lanka for the past few weeks and has built great winning momentum. Unless Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, who are important players for India, play really well, India might find it hard to beat Pakistan, who are currently the top team in ODIs.  Not to mention, the ODI match between India and Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup will be thrilling and enjoyable once again. Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?

The 2023 Asia Cup is in full swing, and now it’s time for the Group B matches to begin. Two strong teams from South Asia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, are getting ready to face each other. The Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match will take place on August 31 at 3:30 pm at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. While the Bangladesh team is aiming to win their first-ever Asia Cup, the Sri Lankan side is the second most successful team after India. However, Bangladesh have good records against Sri Lanka in recent matches. Let’s see more in this BAN vs SL 1st ODI Asia Cup 2023 match preview. Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 ODI Banglades selected a team of 17 players two weeks ago. Among them, five players – Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib – were part of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2020. Ebadot Hossain was initially included in the squad, but he won’t be able to play due to a lingering injury. Unfortunately, the 29-year-old fast bowler had to withdraw from the tournament. On the other hand, experienced all-rounder Mahmudullah, despite taking part in the preliminary fitness camp, has once again not been included in the Bangladesh team. Litton Das was supposed to go to Sri Lanka later as he was suffering from viral fever. But he was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 as he is not fit yet and has no chance to play in any of the matches. Hence, the Bangladesh Cricket Board needed to do a swift reshuffle in the Bangladesh squad. Anamul Haque Bijoy has been included in the team as Litton’s replacement. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Anamul has participated in 44 ODIs, amassing a total of 1254 runs, which includes three centuries. His most recent appearance in a Bangladesh ODI was in December 2022 when he took on India on the cricket field. The Sri Lankan team had to make changes to their original Asia Cup squad because of injuries to Dilshan Madhushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Lahiru Kumara. This is a major setback for Sri Lanka’s bowling team because these four players are really important for the head coach Chris Silverwood’s plans and strategies to win. The team is currently facing fitness issues with these players, and that’s why they haven’t yet chosen new players to replace them or officially declared the final squad. Read more: Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament Bangladesh’s Probable XI Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. Sri Lanka’s Probable XI Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha. Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues Recent Performance of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka After winning 2-0 in a series against Ireland on foreign soil, the Bangladesh cricket team came back home in June 2023 to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. However, things didn’t go well for the Tigers in this series. They faced a painful defeat on their home ground, losing both of the first matches. Bangladesh’s previous Asia Cup journey was also disappointing. In the last tournament, they couldn’t even win a single match in the group stage, which led to their elimination. In contrast, Sri Lanka had a really good time in the 2022 Asia Cup. They did very well and became the champions of this important tournament for the first time since 2014. The Sri Lankan team’s most recent 50-over match was in July 2023, when they went to Zimbabwe to take part in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. They won this qualification title convincingly by beating the Netherlands by 128 runs, and they were unbeatable throughout the tournament. Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Head to Head Records So Far Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seen as top teams in one-day international cricket these days. However, when they have played against each other, Sri Lanka were usually much stronger. Sri Lanka have been clearly in control against Bangladesh, winning 40 times. While Bangladesh have shown improvement in recent times, they have won only 10 out of the 51 matches they have played against Sri Lanka. Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Six Players in Bangladesh ODI Squad to Watch Key Players of BAN vs SL 1st ODI Match in the 2023 Asia Cup  Shakib Al Hasan The Bangladesh team still depends a lot on this experienced all-rounder because of his remarkable skills. Despite being 36 years old, he was among the top 5 players for both runs scored and wickets taken in the series against Afghanistan. He was the only Bangladeshi bowler who managed to take at least one wicket in all three matches. The Bangladesh team has many young players, especially in the batting lineup. So, it’s going to be crucial for the captain to bring stability to the team’s performance in the middle of the game. And Shakib is fully capable of that. Maheesh Theekshana With the star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga not available, the responsibility of leading Sri Lanka’s spin attack will fall on the shoulders of this 23-year-old off-break bowler.  Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad Theekshana had a fantastic performance in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. He took 21 wickets in just 8 matches, making him the second-most successful bowler in the tournament. His average was really low at 12.19 runs per wicket. He even achieved a hat-trick of 4-wicket hauls in the final match against the Netherlands. He had previously accomplished this against Zimbabwe and West Indies as well. Who Will Win? Sri Lanka’s challenge in putting together their best bowling lineup could give Bangladesh’s batting team a chance to go on the offensive. But even with this, Sri Lanka is in a good position with a higher chance of winning. They have the advantage of being in good form and playing on their home ground. Final Words Sri Lanka are the current champion of the Asia Cup. Lately, Sri Lanka have been doing really well in ODI cricket. They performed incredibly well in the ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifiers, where they didn’t lose any matches and ended up winning the tournament. Because of this, the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh match will be highly competitive, as the Bangladesh team is also in good form. Although Bangladesh came from a 2-1 loss against Afghanistan, the Tigers seem to be confident before leaving for Asia Cup 2023. Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?

In the opening match of the 16th edition of the Asia Cup, Pakistan will face Nepal in Karachi on August 30. The Nepal cricket team has already reached Pakistan to participate in the tournament for the first time. The Pakistan vs Nepal ODI match will start at 3:30 pm Bangladesh time at Multan Cricket Stadium. Preview of Pakistan vs Nepal ODI match The number 1 team in the Men's ODI Team Rankings will play the Number 15 team. Pakistan will step onto the field as the favourite, and they are getting home-ground advantage, too. Furthermore, their recent triumphant 3-0 sweep in the ODI series against Afghanistan undoubtedly contributed to a significant boost in their confidence. On the other hand, Nepal secured their spot in the Asia Cup by emerging victorious in the 2023 ACC Men's Premier Cup held in May. Their impeccable record of remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament showcases their expertise. Nevertheless, facing Pakistan presents an entirely distinct and more challenging scenario. Playing with one of the most experienced teams, Nepal might get to see a one-sided game. Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad It's quite fascinating that Pakistan and Nepal have never played against each other in any official match in international cricket. However, they did have a practice match in the UAE back in 2015. During that match, Pakistan scored a solid 306 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, thanks to an impressive performance by Azhar Ali, who scored 73 runs off 73 balls. In return, Nepal had a slow start and managed to score 205 runs in their 50 overs while losing 5 wickets along the way. Pakistan Probable XI Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf. Nepal Probable XI Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Bhim Sharki, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulshan Jha, Pratis GC. Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues Players to Watch in the PAK vs NEP 1st ODI in the 2023 Asia Cup Imam Ul Haq Pakistani batter Imam Ul Haq has shown remarkable consistency in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan, maintaining an average of nearly 70 with the bat. Considering his impressive performance, he will surely have an impact on the first match against Nepal. Overall, he played 62 matches and scored 2884 runs in total with 9 centuries and 18 fifties. Naseem Shah Pakistani bowler Naseem Shah's performance in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan has been outstanding, both in terms of his exceptional bowling and his economical figures. With his strong performance, he could be a top bowler against Nepal. Debuted in 2022, Naseem played 10 ODI matches so far and took 25 wickets in total. Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023? Sandeep Lamichhane Lamichhan's bowling record for Nepal is outstanding. He played 49 ODIs and chased 111 wickets. He surpassed Rashid Khan to reach 100 ODI wickets in just 42 matches and set a world record. In T20, too, he has a chance to take the record by himself. He now has 85 wickets in 44 matches. Final Words This year's Asia Cup, organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), will feature a hybrid model. This also includes matches in co-hosting country Sri Lanka. Although Pakistan is the main host, it can be said that the main tournament will be in Sri Lanka. 9 matches, including the final, are in the island nation. The remaining 4 matches of the tournament are in Pakistan. The Pakistan vs Nepal match will mark the inauguration of Asia Cup 2023. Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Six Players in Bangladesh ODI Squad to Watch

The 2023 Asia Cup will start on August 30 and end on September 17. For the first time in history, the tournament is going to be held in a hybrid format, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Asia Cup 2023 features India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and, for the first time, Nepal, who have qualified for the tournament. This year’s competition will be structured with two groups, each consisting of three teams. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four round. But, among these six teams, who have the most potential to win the trophy? Read on to see our prediction. Prediction for Super Four Round Group A consists of Pakistan, India, and Nepal. Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Predicting the top two from Group A is easy. Nepal will not have any chance against giant teams like India and Pakistan. So, India and Pakistan will surely proceed to the Super Four. However, predicting the top two from Group B will be difficult as all three teams are almost equal in terms of performance and players. But according to recent performances, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have a greater chance to proceed to the Super Four. In their most recent series, Sri Lanka faced Afghanistan in June 2023, and it was a 2-1 win for Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka lost the prior two series against New Zealand and India. On the other hand, Afghanistan won the most recent ODI series against Bangladesh by 2-1. Currently, Afghanistan is playing a three-match series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka. As of August 26, the Afghans lost two matches. So, this loss will surely reduce Afghans’ confidence, which they gained by winning against Bangladesh last month. Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Six Players in Bangladesh ODI Squad to Watch If we look at Bangladesh’s series against India, England, and Ireland, it is clear that the Tigers have shown tremendous effort as they won against India and Ireland. So, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh might play in the Super Four. Probable Winner of Asia Cup 2023 ODI Tournament The 2023 Asia Cup is anticipated to be a highly competitive tournament, with India and Pakistan emerging as the leading contenders for victory. India Presently, India holds the third position in the Men’s ODI Team Ranking. With stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli spearheading the batting lineup, India boasts a tough selection of batting experts. Complementing this strength is their strong bowling unit, featuring the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Read more: Asia Cup 2023: Analysis of Bangladesh ODI Squad India holds the record for being the most successful team in Asia Cup history, clinching the title seven times. It was truly surprising to witness their absence from the final of the previous year’s tournament, considering the star-studded lineup they possessed. This year, the reentry of Jasprit Bumrah, coupled with the inclusion of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the middle-order, has considerably enhanced India’s team composition, lending it a much more balanced and formidable aspect. Pakistan Pakistan, on the other hand, holds the second position in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Ranking. Pakistan, the reigning champion, possesses a well-balanced team that harmoniously combines batting and bowling strengths. At the forefront of their bowling arsenal is Shaheen Afridi, a prominent force on the field, while their exceptional batsman, Babar Azam, adds further strength to their lineup. Up to this point, Pakistan’s ODI cricket for the year has primarily revolved around a series of eight matches against New Zealand. Notably, New Zealand’s lineup was notably weakened for the last five encounters. Although Pakistan has showcased their ability by securing victories in 19 out of the 28 matches played, their capacity to elevate their performance when facing tougher opponents remains under close scrutiny. Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is the defending champion, and this year, magic might not happen for the Lankans as they will have to play 50-over matches. On two separate occasions this year, spanning across two different continents, Sri Lanka’s ODI innings came to an end with a total of less than 80 runs. Conversely, they managed to surpass the 300-run mark on four occasions. It’s worth noting, however, that one of those instances occurred after India had scored 373 for 7 on the same Guwahati pitch. So, Sri Lanka has a lower chance of reaching the final this year. Bangladesh For Bangladesh, there is a fifty-fifty chance. Benefiting from the inclusion of two all-rounders, namely Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh’s lineup presents the flexibility of incorporating an additional specialist batsman or bowler as needed. Read more: Prospects of Bangladesh in 2023 Asia Cup ODI Tournament Lately, Bangladesh has leaned towards fielding the additional batter, a strategy that has yielded remarkable outcomes. Notably, Mehidy Hasan Miraz delivered match-winning performances from the number 8 position, scoring an unbeaten 38 and 100 in consecutive ODIs against India last December. Nevertheless, this same approach led to a series of losses against England and Afghanistan, sparking doubt regarding the effectiveness of the extra batter strategy. But the good thing about Bangladesh is that Shakib Al Hasan is the new captain, who can play a big role through his captaincy. Who can win the 2023 Asia Cup Trophy? Considering the prevailing conditions, it’s reasonable to anticipate that India might emerge victorious in the 2023 Asia Cup, building upon their current form. Several factors contribute to this prediction. To begin with, India’s recent performance has been outstanding; they notably triumphed over Australia in a home series. Read more: Asia Cup Cricket 2023: Analysis of Group A Moreover, India boasts an impressive track record on subcontinental pitches. The team’s skilled spinners have the ability to reshape the course of the game, particularly when competing on Asian wickets. A positive indicator is the resurgence of Indian batting star Virat Kohli, who regained his form during the previous year’s Asia Cup. Although India had been eliminated at that point, Kohli’s resurgence could potentially steer the team towards clinching the trophy this time. Given these factors, India’s prospects in the 2023 Asia Cup appear promising. Final Words We might be looking at an India vs Pakistan final at the Asia Cup 2023 ODI tournament. However, cricket is an unpredictable game, and anything might happen. So, this winner prediction is based on the most recent performances of participating teams. Read more: Asia Cup Cricket 2023: Analysis of Group B