The Best XI From Asia

Among the plethora of ODI cricket tournaments that are scheduled, the Asia Cup is usually one of the more anonymous ones. The bi-annual Champions Trophy and Australian tri-series tournaments are often the most interesting while others take a quick fade into oblivion.

But this particular Asia Cup should be remembered, and that too fondly and for one reason alone, Bangladesh.

After enduring the usual politics, selection disputes and a hangover from the disgraceful World Cup last year, there was every reason why they should have ended up rock bottom in this tournament. They had a Pakistan team who are looking to turn the corner, a Sri Lankan team who impressed in Australia and a cocky Indian team who have returned to friendly flat decks hungry for redemption.

And yet, Bangladesh fell two runs short of trumping them all. An outstanding achievement.

If only Kamran Akmal played... © AFP

But their heroics aside it was yet another engaging and impressive ODI tournament, with all four teams having golden moments and playing hard, there was no 'easy-beat'. If one was to compile the eleven best cricketers out of Asia, who would be chosen?

The Cricket Musings Asia XI
1) Tamim Iqbal
2) Mohammad Hafeez
3) Mahela Jayawardene (c)
4) Kumar Sangakkara (w)
5) Virat Kohli
6) Shakib Al-Hasan
7) Shahid Afridi
8) Umar Gul
9) Saeed Ajmal
10) Mashrafe Mortaza
11) Lasith Malinga

These are the best eleven limited overs cricketers in Asia.

Points to ponder:
- Tamim Iqbal was originally dropped from the squad by some moronic selectors.
- Virat Kohli is the only Indian worthy of this line-up.
- The highly ranked Dhoni was replaced by the superior batting of Sanga and the superior captaincy of Mahela.
- With Malinga and Mortaza to open, you have Gul first change and a spin quartet of Afridi, Hafeez, Shakib and Ajmal. Good luck facing that attack.

There used to be an Afro-Asia cup going where a squad like this would face South Africa + a token Zimbabwean + a token Kenyan. Here is my proposition, lets put this squad against the rest of the world in a one-off annual exhibition match.


Now wouldn't that be something.

World Cup 2011 - The Final Scramble

So here we are with seven games left of pool play. If we discount two of the smaller games, that leaves five very important matches, important for some because it could mean advancing or heading home in misery, important for others because it will define the final pool standings (and who will get the 'easy games', if you could call them that). Lets take a look at whats at stake in the big five matches:

England vs West Indies
Importance: Very High
England lose, they go home. Do they deserve to go? I would say yes, you cannot turn up to a World Cup and only get up for the big matches. Losing to both Ireland and Bangladesh should mean that you are on your bike. The West Indies on the other hand have points to prove. They have brushed off the minnows, and now need to show the world they are not pretenders against the bigger boys.

Lets not forget the Gayle factor either. © Associated Press

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
Importance: Medium
I mentioned earlier, Sri Lanka is not Pakistan. New Zealand, for incredibly odd reasons, have chosen to rest a mostly healthy Vettori and Mills. I can understand bubble wrapping some players, but surely for a team desperate to hold on to momentum you would want your fittest XI possible? Sri Lanka should get home here with Malinga being the difference.

Bangladesh vs South Africa
Importance: High
Bangladesh's date with destiny. If they win here, they will qualify, which is huge. Their best approach would be to apply a spin based choke, and then hopefully having a target small enough to chase down. Tamim has yet to really fire up, this could be his big game. South Africa on the other hand will be looking to top the table with a win here.

Australia vs Pakistan
Importance: High
Believe it or not, this could be Australia's only real big game before the playoffs, given that rain and inept batting played spoilsport earlier. This is a mouth watering contest between yin and yang, the well drilled and consistent Aussies versus the sublime-or-ridiculous Pakistanis. Impossible to call, but the winner will win huge psychological ground.

India vs West Indies
Importance: Medium
Both teams have more or less qualified, with the West Indies an outside chance of going home early. The real question is, who is the bigger pretender? India's are beginning to creak under their glaring weaknesses, while the West Indies have had flattering results and big players lying dormant. Roach will be key.

World Cup 2011 - India vs Bangladesh Verdict

And so Sehwag proves me wrong on two accounts in a frantic opening match. 

1. He actually did manage to bat through most of the innings.
2. He did mean business when he said this was the 'revenge match'.

I've eaten my words.

Bangladesh missed Mortaza, their only real fast bowling weapon. The rest are a worry. In terms of spinners, Sehwag can make even Murali look silly, so they need not take the onslaught to heart. It was one of those batting efforts so typical of what India are capable of at home. All the sides had better beware because if the Indian batting clicks, they could take the world cup at a canter. 

But.

1. Bangladesh Got To 283

And that too with relative ease. Tamim and Shakib in particular looked pretty comfortable with this Indian bowling attack. They are steady and economical at best, with Sreesanth spraying it around like Navjot Sidhu commentary. When the Indian batting does eventually fail, which it will at least once, the lack of wicket taking ability could be their undoing.

2. The Fielding Is Poor

Watching them in the outfield, they still strike me as a lazy and unfit bunch. I saw plenty of mis-fields and poor efforts, as if they were in cruise mode when Bangladesh were chasing. That is a terrible attitude, and India need to take a leaf out of the Australian book here. If on top, stay on top. In contrast Bangladesh at least were fielding with skill and energy.

The Bottom Line

India have sprinted off the mark in great style and have set the batting benchmark very high. Bangladesh have shown a big hole in their game with their pace attack, but not every team has a Sehwag to dismantle spin like its a joke. I still think they can take something away from the opener.

Final Digression...

Brendon McCullum, why the frantic, trigger-happy bat swinging, as if confused between the India and Kenya run chase.

I'll bet the Australians are scared stiff now. © Getty Images

World Cup 2011 - Seven Little Guys To Look Out For

Its probably tough being a minnow. Walking into a world cup event, nobody knows you, nobody notices you when you lose, and nobody misses you when you leave. This is for you guys, the little guys who I expect to make an impression in this world cup.

1. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
The Vettori of Bangladesh. He has a fantastic record with his canny left arm spin and genuine ability with the bat. Being a successful captain also at such a young age, he will develop into a very fine cricketer.

2. Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)
One of my favourites. After he famously demolished India in the 2007 World Cup, he has maintained that promise and talent with great consistency and has a fluid and attractive attacking style. He has a test match average of 40, and three ODI centuries, with more to come.

Unlike Ashraful who was just a kidder. © Getty Images

3. Ryan ten Doeschate (Holland)
He is a big name in the county cricket circuit, and is good enough to make any international side he chooses.  Many quietly rate him, but this is the arena for him to show the world just how good he is.

4. William Porterfield (Ireland)
Arguably the most prolific of the associate level batsmen, he was there in the 2007 world cup, so he has experience to match his talent. He made a breezy 72 off 74 balls against New Zealand in a warm up match just recently, a good sign.

5. Rizwan Cheema (Canada)
This guy doesn't have the greatest record, but he can give the ball a serious thump when he gets going. Just watch him go bananas in this clip:

6. Ed Joyce (Ireland)

Forgotten by the English, he has an SCG century to his name against a strong Australian outfit. He did a reverse Eoin Morgan and I'd love to see him give England something back.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. © Getty Images

7. Steve Tikolo (Kenya)
A real tortoise,  he is one of the few survivors of the 1996 world cup. He has been the big name of Kenyan cricket for over 15 years and this world cup will probably be his last. I am looking forward to him going out with a real bang. Be careful New Zealand.