Below, The National Sportsdesk staffers give their thoughts on who can win the up coming Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament, featuring India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and qualifiers UAE.
Osman Samiuddin – India to win
Given their form and general strength India must begin as favourites, a notion helped by the relative instability afflicting at least two of the other sides - Sri Lanka and Pakistan. India has a settled XI in mind; Pakistan has no such thing and Sri Lanka, though buoyed by the return of the attack that won them the last World Twenty20, are still missing Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. But, I have a feeling, at home, Bangladesh might just be able to translate their ODI form into the shortest format, so expect them to challenge hard.
Paul Radley – Bangladesh to win
Of course their credentials are less compelling than India and Pakistan, and their prospects are less realistic. They have home advantage, but that hardly did much good the last two times. But Chandika Hathurisinghe, their coach, is serious about them finally becoming winners rather than merely competitors.
Chitrabhanu Kadalayil – India to win
With Sri Lanka stepping into a new era, we will see an India-Pakistan final. Their players are more experienced and battle-hardened. But while Pakistan’s players have excelled as individuals at the PSL, India have had opportunities to play as a unit in recent times, giving the latter an edge.
Kumar Shyam – Pakistan to win
It is hard to look beyond India and Pakistan for the title. India players have to balance this tournament as least of three priorities with the World Twenty20 and Indian Premier League coming up. Thus, Pakistan have the edge with the confidence of playing in Pakistan Super League making up for their absence in IPL.
Jonathan Raymond – Bangladesh to win
On first glance, their recent T20 series split with Zimbabwe isn’t the most encouraging, but consider – with Mustafizur Rahman, emerging as one of the best young bowlers in the world and their newfound match-winner, they were victorious in three of four contests. Recently, on Bangladeshi soil, he has taken 15 wickets for 189 at a 5.02 econ in his last 10 matches, going back to November. And, very importantly, this tournament will be contested on Bangaldeshi soil. Missing Tamim Iqbal will hurt, but while others, like India and Pakistan, look ahead and dream of World Twenty20 glory, this is the competition Bangladesh can put their heart and soul into.
