As we delve into the evaluation of the openers across all six teams participating in the ACC’s Asia Cup 2023, the Indian team’s players stand out in terms of ranking. With the tournament just a few weeks away, the anticipation for this ODI format grand event is already soaring. This year’s Asia Cup will witness six teams vying for the coveted trophy, with defending champions Sri Lanka leading the charge.
Taking a closer look at all six teams, including the newly introduced Nepal, it becomes evident that the best batsmen across these teams predominantly belong to the opener category. India boasts the likes of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, while Pakistan fields Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul-Haq. This trend is also reflected in the ICC rankings, where five of the top 10 batters are openers.
6) Bangladesh
Primary Openers: Litton Das & Mohammad Naim
Backup Opener: Tanzid Hasan
Bangladesh’s openers find themselves at the sixth spot, with a cumulative rating of 6. The absence of Tamim Iqbal, their premier opener, has impacted their combined opener’s rating. Litton Das and Mohammad Naim have assumed the role of primary openers, with Tanzid Hasan providing backup. Among these, Litton earns a rating of 8.25, while Naim and Hasan secure ratings of 5.5 and 5, respectively.
5) Nepal
Primary Openers: Aasif Sheikh & Kushal Bhurtel
Backup Opener: Arjun Saud
Nepal’s openers claim the fifth position, marginally ahead of Bangladesh, with a cumulative rating of 6. Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel form the core of Nepal’s batting lineup, with Arjun Saud serving as the backup opener. Aasif Sheikh boasts a rating of 7, while Kushal and Arjun earn ratings of 6.5 and 6. These combined ratings are attributed to their experience in the format.
4) Sri Lanka
Primary Openers: Pathum Nissanka & Dimuth Karunaratne
Backup Opener: Sadeera Samarawickrama
Securing the fourth spot is Sri Lanka, with a cumulative opener rating of 7. Sri Lanka’s opening duo comprises Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne, accompanied by Sadeera Samarawickrama as the backup. Pathum leads this category with a robust rating of 8.75, while Dimuth and Sadeera secure ratings of 7.5 and 6, respectively.
3) Afghanistan
Primary Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran
Backup Opener: Riaz Hassan
Afghanistan’s openers hold the third position, sharing a similar rating with Sri Lanka at 7. However, Afghanistan’s key opener, Ibrahim Zadran, boasts a superior ICC ranking, earning a rating of 9. Joining him are Rahmanullah Gurbaz as an attacking opener and Riaz Hassan as a reliable backup.
2) Pakistan
Primary Openers: Fakhar Zaman & Imam Ul-Haq
Backup Opener: Abdullah Shafique
Claiming the second spot is Pakistan, who boast an impressive pair of primary openers, Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul-Haq, with an ICC ranking of 3 and 4, respectively. Although Pakistan’s primary openers are exceptional, the backup opener, Abdullah Shafique, holds limited experience with only three ODIs under his belt. Consequently, their overall rating settles at 8.
1) India
Primary Openers: Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill
Backup Opener: Ishan Kishan
Emerging as the top-ranking team in terms of openers, India boasts a formidable duo in Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, with ratings of 9 and 9.25, respectively. Ishan Kishan, the backup opener, holds his own with an ICC ranking of 36 and an opener rating of 8.5. This combination positions India as a formidable force in the opener category, offering depth and flexibility.
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As we conclude the assessment of the openers’ rankings for Asia Cup 2023, it becomes evident that while Team India possesses a powerful trio of openers, Pakistan boasts a dynamic duo. The contrasting strengths of these two teams will place a significant focus on the role of openers throughout the tournament.