Asia Cup 2018: Team of the group stages

Middle Order

Ambati Rayudu (India)

Filling in the shoes of skipper Virat Kohli at No.3, Ambati Rayudu made the most of the opportunity by two impressive scores of 60 and 31* in the two games. Rayudu combined with Dhawan in the opening game to anchor India's innings forward.

His knock of 31* in the second game ensured that India reach the target comfortably with 21 overs to spare.

Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) (C) (WK)

Mushfiqur Rahim featured only in the tournament opener against Sri Lanka, and ripped apart the Lankan bowling attack with his controlled aggression. Losing Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan in the first over, and Tamim Iqbal due to an injury, Rahim batted with complete responsibility as he held ends together for his team.

Rahim stabilised the innings in the start and accelerated in the latter half with the help of a courageous Tamim Iqbal at the non-striker's end. He went on to score 144, the second-highest individual score in the Asia Cup.

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Hasmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan)

Though the Afghans won both their matches predominantly on their bowling, it was the batting of Shahidi in the middle overs that steered the team to a competitive total on both occasions. He combined with Rahmat Shah in the first game for an 80-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Shahidi also held things together for his team in the last game of the group stage, as he braved an attack by the Bangladeshi bowlers, enabling the team to recover from early setbacks. His knocks of 37 and 58 were worth in gold for Afghanistan, especially in such medium scoring games.