Asia Cup 2018: Team of the tournament

The 2018 edition of the Asia Cup was 'special' in the truest essence of the word. From major upsets and heart-breaks to grand comebacks and display of sheer patriotism, we've had it all in a very short span. The morning, where Bangladesh humiliated Sri Lanka, gave an idea about how the day would turn up to be.

While Hong Kong looked India in the eyes and showed their character, Afghanistan were on the receiving end of two and a half heart-breaks. Sri Lanka and Pakistan returned home with only criticisms while Bangladesh will have their heads held high when they take the flight back to Dhaka. India lifted the title for the seventh time to expand their supremacy in the Asian cricketing circuit. There many innumerable valiant efforts from players willing to make their mark in this prestigious competition. Let us have a look at the team of the tournament:

#1 Openers - Rohit Sharma (skipper) and Shikhar Dhawan

India's trusted opening pair has performed splendidly in this tournament

There were loads over questions regarding India's opening pair, not on who should open but how they will perform. Shikhar Dhawan was coming from a horrendous England tour whereas Rohit Sharma was returning to International cricket after a break. But the duo showed why they are one of the most dangerous opening pairs of the current era.

With 342 runs in 5 games, Dhawan is the highest run-scorer of the tournament. His partner in crime Sharma has scored 317 runs in as many games, which involves a crucial 48 in the final. He is second only to Dhawan in the top run-getters' list. Hence, it would be an injustice not to have any of these two exquisite cricketers in the team of the tournament.

#2 Middle-order - Mohammad Shahzad, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicket-keeper)

Cricket enthusiasts will cherish Mohammad Shahzad's century against India for a long time

Fans of a team enjoying their bowlers getting battered by an opposition batsman is a rarity in cricket, but such is the charm of Mohammad Shahzad's batting. The Afghan wicket-keeper scored 268 runs in this tournament at an average of over 50, hence he well and truly deserves a place in this team, However, given that the Sharma-Dhawan pair is irreplaceable in the opening positions, the opener will have to slot in at middle-order.

While Shahzad is a popular figure in the cricketing circuit, the Afghan who has caught everyone by surprise is Hashmatullah Shahidi. In a fairly different manner though, because Shahidi has resembled the highest order of resilience and fighting spirit. His magnificent knock of unbeaten 97 against Pakistan is certainly one of better ones in this tournament. In total, he amassed 263 runs, falling just 5 runs short of his teammate.

Another player who has been the most consistent player for his team is Mushfiqur Rahim. The Bangladeshi wicket-keeper was the only reliable pillar in the batting line-up which was devoid of veterans Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. He accumulated 302 runs in the tournament at an astonishing average of over 60.

#3 All-rounders - Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Nabi

In an utterly disappointing tournament, Shoaib Malik's form is Pakistan's only positive

Pakistan raised the bar for themselves after winning the ICC Champions Trophy last year, but had a tournament to forget in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, the lone warrior who was willing to fight for his team was the veteran Shoaib Malik. He scored 211 runs in this tournament at an average of over 70. Had it not been for his match-winning half-century against Afghanistan, Pakistan would only have only added to their pile of humiliation. Given the poor state of Pakistan's bowling attack, 'Malik the bowler' is wrongfully neglected by skipper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Mohammad Nabi is one of those cricketers who is rarely in the front pages but delivers highly effective performances every now and then. He fits perfectly into the textbook definition of 'all-rounder' by scoring 134 runs at an average of over 25 and taking 5 wickets by conceding runs at an extraordinary economy rate of less than 4 runs per over.

#4 Spinners - Rashid Khan, Kuldeep Yadav

How can we select

a best

XI side and not have Rashid Khan's name on top of the list?

When it comes to best XI teams, Rashid Khan is omnipresent if he has played in that tournament. The case wasn't different in 2018 Asia Cup as the Afghan spun webs around the batters' minds which is leg-break bowling. With 10 wickets from 5 games, he is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Also, his economy rate is well under 4 runs per over, highlighting his unique ability to take wickets and contain runs at the same time.

The other spinner who has made his way into our team is the guy who made his way into memes few days back, Kuldeep Yadav. The Indian spinner was the most effective bowler for his team with 10 wickets in 6 games. His run rate, however, is higher than Khan's, which crosses the 4 runs per over mark. Taking wickets at crucial moments is a trait of Yadav and he executed it to perfection by dismissing Liton Das in the final when he the Bangladeshi opener was looking intimidating.

#5 Pacers - Jasprit Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur Rahman is leading wicket-taker amongst pacers in this tournament

Pacers were not as effective in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi pitches as compared to spinners. In the list of top 10 wicket-takers of the tournament, only 3 are pacers. Jasprit Bumrah, however, carried his scintillating England form into this tournament. In 4 matches, Bumrah picked up 7 wickets to become to second best pacer of the tournament. His impressive economy rate of well under 4 runs per over is not too common for a front-line seamer.

Mustafizur Rahman, who began his career in a great fashion, saw his form on the down in recent years. The Asia Cup was a great platform for him to announce his comeback and he did it by taking 10 wickets in 5 games to be titled as the best pacer of the tournament. His most impressive spell was against Pakistan where he picked up 4 wickets by conceding just 43 runs.