Asia cup 2018: 5 Bowlers who could be the top wicket-takers in the tournament

Asia Cup 2018 is just around the corner and India will go into the tournament as the favorites to lift the cup once again. But they will have to overcome other Asian giants like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in order to achieve glory.

This Asia Cup will be a closely contested one and the team which does well in the bowling department in the scorching heat of United Arab Emirates will most likely emerge as the champions in the tournament. On paper, the bowling attacks of India, Pakistan, and to some extent Afghanistan seem the strongest.

We will look at the 5 possible contenders who can be the leading wicket-takers in this tournament.

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Honorable Mention

Lasith Malinga

The comeback man

The slinging legend will be making his comeback into the Lankan ODI team with this Asia Cup. This could be a perfect swansong for him if he is at his best and helps his team in winning the tournament. He was hit with injuries and poor form before being out of the side.

This could be a perfect opportunity to prove why he is called as one of the best limited overs bowlers in the history of the game.

#5 Kuldeep Yadav

A rare commodity

One of the spin twins of the Indian team, Kuldeep Yadav can run through any side on his day with his left arm leg breaks. He has been in fine form off late with the ball and will be eyeing to perform well at the mega event. This will be his first major tournament and he could finish the series as the highest wicket-taker as the conditions in the UAE will favour the spinners to a larger extent.

He along with Chahal will look to make most of this opportunity to cement a permanent place in the side with the World Cup on the horizon.

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#4 Mustafizur Rahman

The Fizz

Mustafizur Rahman has been the find of Bangladesh cricket in the last 5 years or so. He had an incredible start to his international career but soon faded out because of injuries and ambitions to play in other T-20 tournaments. This time around, he looks much stronger than ever and will have a huge role to play in his team's fortunes.

With his slower balls and cutters, he will surely be a contender for the top wicket-takers in the tournament.

#3 Hasan Ali

His trademark celebration

Hasan Ali has had one of the best starts to his career. He picks an average of 3 wickets per game, which is very rare in the current era. Ali bowls at a much quicker pace than expected and is a difficult bowler to pick. He is particularly good at bowling to the tail-enders and can be one of the game changers for Pakistan which has arguably the best bowling attack.

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#2 Rashid Khan

Young sensation

One of the reasons behind Afghanistan's continuous rise in international cricket, Rashid has done well in every possible game that he has played so far. He has quickly become one of the best bowlers in limited overs cricket.

There is absolutely nothing that the batsmen can do when he is bowling well and at the Asia Cup, he will feel at home in the UAE conditions.

#1 Jasprit Bumrah

Indian spearhead

The number 1 bowler in the world in the One-day international format, Bumrah will look to be at his best in this Asia Cup. He has been consistent across all the forms of the game for India and will be raring to go in the upcoming tournament. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar returning, he will have an able partner to support him at the start of the innings.