The Asia Cup came to an end with an enthralling last ball finish between India and Bangladesh. India claimed the Asia Cup title for seventh time and on the other hand Bangladesh reminded us that they are a force to reckon with. Time to look at the stars who shone brightly in this edition of the tournament.
- Shikhar Dhawan (India)
Change of formats and change of fortunes for Shikhar Dhawan. After a nightmarish English summer, Dhawan was in full flow from the very first match against Hong Kong. He was the leading run scorer in the Asia Cup with 342 runs at an average of 68.4. With two centuries to his name he was deservedly adjudged as the man of the tournament.
2. Rohit Sharma (India)
The Hitman was in sublime form as well. Rohit Sharma was the second highest run-getter in the tournament with 317 at an astounding average of 105.6. The Indian captain led from the front with his best knock of 111* coming against the arch rivals Pakistan. Rohit also hit most sixes (13) in the Asia Cup. The prolific Rohit-Dhawan duo also recorded the only double hundred partnership of the tournament. Apart from the little scare against Hong Kong, Rohit led the side brilliantly.
3. Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan)
Hashmatullah played a vital role in Afghanistan’s successful Asia Cup campaign. His ability to bat for long hours, holding one end up and rotating the strike was the key in Afghan side setting 250 totals consistently. He scored three half centuries with 97* being his highest which came against Pakistan. The gritty left-hander was the highest run scorer for his country in the Asia Cup with an aggregate of 263.
4. Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) (WK)
Mushfiqur’s batting was instrumental in Bangladesh’s great run in the tournament. He ended the tournament as the third highest run-getter with 302 runs and got them when his team needed the most. His score of 144 in the opening match against Sri Lanka was the highest in this edition of the Asia Cup. The gutsy innings of 99 against Pakistan also came at a time when his team were tottering at 12-3.
5. Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)
The veteran all rounder is the only one to feature from Pakistan in this eleven. Malik scored 211 runs at an average of 70.33 and a healthy strike rate of 80. With two half centuries to his name, Shoaib Malik was the only one who batted with intent and purpose, unlike his other compatriots. His most crucial knock came in a nail-biting finish against Afghanistan which took Pakistan over the line.
6. Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)
The all-rounder had a great tournament both with the bat and ball. Coming in at six he gave the innings some impetus. In five matches, he scored 134 runs at a strike rate of 107.20. With the ball in hand, he kept things tight in difficult situations and was vital in Afghanistan’s three-pronged spin attack.
7. Ravindra Jadeja (India)
Being out of the limited over squad for over a year, Jadeja was called up to replace injured Hardik Pandya and he didn’t disappoint the team management and took four wickets in his first game. Overall, Jadeja took seven wickets in four innings and kept a lid on the scoring with his economical spells. Handy lower order performances with the bat and exceptional fielding have earned him a place in this team.
8. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
The super star from Afghanistan is now the number one all-rounder in the ODI format overtaking Shakib Al Hasan. Rashid Khan ended the tournament with joint highest wicket tally of 10. His economy of 3.72 was the best in the Asia Cup. Rashid was destructive with the bat as well,scoring handy runs down the order at a strike rate of 142.61. During the course of the tournament he also became the highest wicket-taker for Afghanistan.
9. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)
Mustafizur made full use of the slow,dusty tracks and strangled the oppositions. He was the highest wicket-taker among the fast bowlers with 10 scalps at an economy of 4.40. His best performance came against Pakistan where he took 4/43 in a virtual semi final. Mustafizur also shined in the game against Afghanistan where he defended eight runs in the last over to keep his team in the tournament.
10. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
The woes of the no-ball in the Champions Trophy final are long behind him. Bumrah was meticulous with the new ball and clinical with the old. The number one bowler in ODIs showed why he is the best by picking eight wickets in four matches at an economy of 3.67. The best part about his bowling was the consistency at which he fired yorkers making life difficult for the opposition batsmen.
11. Rubel Hossain (Bangladesh)
His performances might have gone under the radar but they were vital in taking Bangladesh to the finals. Both Rubel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took six wickets but when it comes to economy and average ,Rubel stood out.
