The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup is turning out to be a grand spectacle with six top teams of Asia — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Nepal — participating in it. The Group stage is over now, and we are into the Super 4s, where India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have qualified. Here, we shall look at the top performers from the group stage of the Asia Cup.
Najmul Hossain Shanto: The Bangladeshi top-order batter was sublime during the Group stage. Shanto played a fighting knock of 89 runs in their loss to Sri Lanka and followed it up with a century against Afghanistan. He played a vital role in their bid to qualify for the Super 4s.
Shaheen Shah Afridi: The Pakistani pacer was in top form in the group stage. He registered figures of 2/27 in their massive 238-run win against Nepal and followed it up with four wickets in the high-octane clash against India, which got washed out. He has been bowling with a good rhythm and is expected to carry his form forward.
Babar Azam: The Pakistan skipper played a majestic knock of 151 in their opening match against Nepal. His knock helped Pakistan register a massive win by 238-runs. Babar is averaging around 70 in ODI cricket since the beginning of 2022. He will be eager to perform higher in the Super 4 stage.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz: The Bangladeshi all-rounder knocked out 112 on being promoted to the top of the order in their clash against Afghanistan. Mehidy also registered bowling figures of 1/41 after that, which helped Bangladesh set up an 89-run win over Afghanistan.
Ishan Kishan: The wicketkeeper-batter played an excellent knock of 82 in the clash against Pakistan. He walked in to bat with India struggling at 48/3 and then saw them getting reduced to 66/4. Kishan played a brave knock thereon, smashing nine fours and two sixes on his way.
Hardik Pandya: The Indian vice-captain scored 87 runs in the same match and was involved in a defining 138-run stand for the fifth wicket with Kishan. His knock consisted of seven fours and a six, and he also delivered an excellent bowling performance against Nepal, bowling three maidens and taking a wicket during his eight-over spell.
