Asia Cup 2018: Strongest XI to play against champions India

8. Mashrafe Mortaza ( Captain)

Mashrafe Mortaza - The Captain

Mortaza had 6 wickets in the tournament and impressed everyone with his fighting skills and leadership qualities. Mortaza demonstrated the spirit of Bangladesh and he should be the captain of this team.

9. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

This team would be incomplete without the Afghan star Rashid Khan. Rashid Khan came into the Asia Cup with a lot of reputation and he has enhanced his reputation during the course of this Asia Cup. He was exceptional bowling at the death showing a lot of confidence in his ability.

Rashid Khan, with 10 wickets, is the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament along with Kuldeep Yadav and Mustafizur Rahman. Rashid Khan can wield his willow too when needed.

10. Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman

In this Asia Cup, Mustafizur Rahman was effective both with the new and old ball. For Bangladesh, he made early breakthroughs as well as accurate at the death. In the Super-Four match against Afghanistan, Musfafizur defended six runs in the last over and gave away just three runs. This led to the elimination of Afghanistan and a fresh lease of life for Bangladesh. Mustafizur should be the new ball bowler in this playing XI.

11. Shaheen Afridi

In the few matches that he played for Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi showed what he was capable of in terms of pace and swing. Afridi took four wickets in three matches and should have got more but for the dropped catches off his bowling. Shaheen Afridi is the perfect new ball partner for Mustafizur Rahman.

This playing XI without Indian players should give the Asia Cup Champions India a run for their money. Against this team, India should field the same XI which played the final. What a match it would be.