Asia Cup 2010 takes off: Pakistan versus Sri Lanka
The Asia cup kicks-off today at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka with the best teams from the Asian subcontinent competing against each other to become the undisputed kings of cricket in Asia. The tournament will run from the 15th of June till the 24th of June and the fans are definitely expected to get their money worth because with teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India competing, one is sure to expect the best display of batting, bowling and fielding.
In a way, one can call it a mini word cup because the Asian teams form an important component of the overall cricket pie.
Hosts Sri Lanka are already riding a high horse after having won the past two Asia Cups and are looking to make a hat-trick this year, thus automatically making them the favourites.
However, this year each and every team has a point to prove more than before since all teams have been victims of major problems in their respective camps.
Pakistan go into the Asia Cup under new captain Shahid Afridi, many new players along with the return of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Shoaib Malik. Their disappointing defeat to Australia in the T-20 World Cup 2010 and the bans and fines that had been imposed on key players after the humiliating defeats at the hands of Australia when Pakistan toured Australia towards the beginning of 2010 will be fresh in the minds of many.
Moving on to team India which is undoubtedly the best one -day side on paper, but why haven’t they been able to convert their strengths to victory on a consistent basis? They recently had a disastrous tour in Zimbabwe where Sri Lanka playing as well. The final match was unexpectedly played between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe after India lost to the Zimbabweans on two occasions. However, one should bear in mind that India’s key players were missing from the side.
However, history is history and now with a full strength Indian side, one can expect the Indians to be back at the top of their game, with a lot of hard work of course.
Four-time champions India won the Asia Cup title 15 years ago in the United Arab Emirates and will open their campaign against Bangladesh on the 16th of June. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is confident that his boys will outplay the other teams and not only lift the Asia Cup but also move up the one-day points table.
The minnows, Bangladesh who were recently thrashed at the hands of England in a two test series are also feeling quite pumped up and are ready to prove that on their day, they can beat any team in the world.
So that leaves Kumar Sangakkara’s Sri Lanka who also has point to prove in this years’ Asia Cup. They would love to win the Asia Cup three times in a row who is coming in with confidence after winning the final against Zimbabwe. Even Sri Lanka had fielded a second string team and the fact that off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is back in the side will for sure give the Sri Lankans a psychological boost.
With all being said, Pakistan has the most to prove and is expected to do well in this tournament and bring back the Asia cup home. Pakistan faces a tough schedule ahead and winning the Asia Cup would be a step in the right direction to give momentum to Pakistan’s campaign as they travel to England after the tournament.
All eyes will be on Shahid Afridi’s captaincy as after a lot of criticism he also has an agenda to prove that he can manage and unite this Pakistani team which has a history of dressing room problems and many cricketing analysts belief his attitude with former captain Shoaib Malik will also be a good test of Afridi’s captaincy abilities.
So then let’s just sit back, switch away from soccer and watch Asia’s most fierce cricketing nations battle it out for supremacy.
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