Asia Cup 2023: Top 5 Players who could make or break their ODI careers in the tournament

The Asia Cup 2023 is here with a bang and after the conclusion of the second round of the group stage, only Pakistan is the team to qualify for the Super Four round. Following Afghanistan’s 89-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the fourth contest, the competition has become more interesting.

In this competition, the centre of attention are some star players such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Babar Azam, Rashid Khan, and Shakib Al Hasan. Along with these players, a few newcomers in ODI cricket who have failed to be at their best so far will also be watched from close quarters by their respective teams and mentors. These players will have to be effective in this series and make themselves strong contenders to probably participate in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, slated to be held in India, in October and November, this year.

Here are the five players who could make or break their ODI careers in this Asia Cup edition

5. Mohammad Naim

Mohammad Naim. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup, Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das were ruled out due to their injuries. In the absence of mainstay players, captain Shakib-Al-Hasan trusted Mohammad Naim to open the innings with Tanzid Hasan in their first match against Sri Lanka.

In his team’s opening game, Naim failed to provide a fine start to his side as he went back to the pavilion early after scoring 16 off 23. Against Afghanistan, the left-handed batter exuded confidence with his bat. Along with his new opening partner, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, he stitched a 60-run partnership. 

The 24-year-old chipped in with 28 runs in his team’s convincing 89-run win against the Afghan side. Naim’s batting numbers aren’t impressive so far in ODI cricket. Playing six ODIs, he has hit only 54 runs in five innings. If Bangladesh progresses to the next round in this continental series, Naim will look to showcase his batting mettle.

4. Dushan Hemantha

Dushan Hemantha Batting. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Wanindu Hasaranga, the leader of Sri Lanka’s spin attack, failed to mark his presence in the 2023 Asia Cup. In his absence, the responsibility is on Dushan Hemantha and Dunith Wellalage to reinforce Sri Lanka’s spin-bowling unit. Hemantha, who made his ODI debut against Afghanistan in June this year, has the best opportunity to display his talent.

In this Asia Cup, Sri Lanka kicked off their campaign positively with a comfortable five-wicket victory over Bangladesh at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Hemantha didn’t get a chance to feature in the playing XI against the Bangla side as the team management decided to induct experienced Wellalage, who had appeared in nine games before this tournament.

Hemantha has played two ODIs so far, in which he has failed to deliver convincing numbers to his team with both bat and ball. As a bowler, he got only two wickets at an economy of 5.21. If he gets a chance to play matches in the competition, his endeavours will be to deliver solid performances to his team.

3. Saud Shakeel

Saud Shakeel (Photo Source: Twitter)

Pakistan have looked confident thus far in this competition. In the group round, they thrashed Nepal by 238 runs while against India, they displayed their bowling excellence and received appreciation. In Pakistan’s 17-member squad for this competition, Saud Shakeel is also included to reinforce their middle order.

In both group games, captain Babar Azam believed in Salman Agha in the middle order but the 29-year-old failed to stand at the crease against Nepal. He fell to Sandeep Lamichhane in the match after scoring five runs. In case, Agha fails to regain his form in the Super Four, Pakistan can pick up Shakeel, who has the potential to play match-winning innings.

The 27-year-old has played six ODIs, in which he scored 76 runs in five innings with a fifty against England in 2021. However, he got a chance to appear in the recently concluded ODI series against Afghanistan but struggled to be among the runs. Playing the last match, he was dismissed on just nine runs. In the Super Four round, Shakeel will have to bring the best out of him if his team decides to receive his services.

2. Matheesha Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The rising slingy-action pacer Matheesha Pathirana had a sensational season for the IPL 2023 Champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK). During his stint with the MS Dhoni-led side, the ‘Baby Malinga’ wreaked havoc with his sheer pace and impeccable accuracy. As a result, he led CSK’s bowling to new heights thereby helping the side in clinching yet another IPL title.

Notably, Dhoni has been backing the pacer to become the death-over phenom for his side. Furthermore, MS Dhoni believes that the youngster is a good asset for Sri Lanka Cricket and will serve them for a long time for the good. Meanwhile, speaking of his Asia Cup 2023 exploits after finally making his debut for Sri Lanka, the pacer ran through the Bangladesh batting line-up to hand the hosts a dominating win.

At this juncture of the tournament, Pathirana is the sixth-highest wicket-taker with 5 scalps from two appearances in the ongoing Asia Cup. Moreover, the slingy bowler averages 19 with a decent strike rate of 21.20. During his stint so far in the marquee event, Matheesha Pathirana has maintained a commendable economy of 5.37. Now it will be interesting to see how he will fare against the top Asian teams in the Super Four round of the Asia Cup 2023.

1. Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: Rich Storry/Getty Images)

When it comes to T20 Internationals (T20Is), Suryakumar Yadav is a proven performer for India. Currently, he is the number one batter in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I rankings for batters. Considering his brilliant batting numbers in cricket’s shortest form, the Indian team management has given him a lot of chances in ODIs, this year. 

In the three-match ODI series against Australia in March, he went through a lot of criticism for his inefficiency with the bat. Playing all matches against the Aussies, he failed to score a single run. This year, he has appeared in 10 ODIs, in which he scored only 127 runs in nine innings at a dismal average of 14.11.

Despite his terrible performances, captain Rohit Sharma and selectors haven’t lost faith in Suryakumar Yadav, as they selected the dashing right-handed batter for the 2023 Asia Cup. In group matches, he didn’t play any games but in case, the team picks him up in the Super Four games, the 32-year-old will have to show his extraordinary side with the bat.