Top 5 players to watch out for in Asia Cup 2018

Asia Cup 2018 is perhaps the most anticipated event at the present juncture of world cricket. Each team possesses tremendous talent on board, making it all the more difficult to predict as to which unit could emerge victorious amidst the nerve-wracking battles.

With Asia Cup being the only major platform prior to 2019 World Cup which would be held in England and Wales, one could surely witness some back-breaking performances from the players, both with the bat and with the ball, in the games to come.

So, without wasting any minute further, let's have a look at some of the cricketers who could play a crucial role in the scintillating contests to be held amidst UAE conditions.

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#5 Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)

Shoaib Malik

The Pakistani legend would most probably be featuring in his final Asia Cup contest. He is undoubtedly one of the prolific cricketers to have featured in Pakistan's playing XI. His records and statistics are an indication of how great a player he has been for the Pakistani unit.

In 266 ODIs, Shoaib has acquired 7,105 runs with the bat at an average of 35.08 and has also been instrumental with the ball by picking up 156 scalps. His presence in the middle would surely help Pakistan in clinching the victory from even the most gruesome situations.

#4 Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Rashid Khan

The spin sensation from Afghanistan is already a terror to many batsmen in the shorter format of the game. With his bowling prowess, Rashid has picked up a whopping 108 wickets in 46 ODI games, which puts him in a league of his own in the white-ball cricket.

He is well versed in the art of choking down the opposition batsmen, and Asia Cup being a perfect platform for a player of his potency, one could expect some scintillating numbers from the 19-year-old in the upcoming matches.

#3 Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Shakib Al Hasan

Without an iota of doubt, Shakib Al Hasan is one of the greatest Bangladeshi players the cricketing fraternity has ever witnessed. In 188 ODIs, Shakib has amassed 5,433 runs at an average of 35.51 with 7 centuries and 39 half-centuries under his belt.

With the ball, he has picked up 237 scalps till date, making him a lethal prospect for the Asia Cup games. His knowledge and experience would surely help Bangladesh in getting an edge over the rival unit.

#2 Fakhar Zaman ( Pakistan)

Fakhar Zaman

The southpaw is one of the brightest prospects from the subcontinent region. A jaw-dropping average of 76.07 in 18 ODIs is a perfect testament to the proficiency he possesses in the white-ball cricket.

Fakhar has already amassed 1,067 runs with 3 centuries and 6 half-centuries to his name. Considering his recent performances, it becomes all the more certain for him to notch up few daddy hundreds in the games to come.

#1 Rohit Sharma (India)

Rohit Sharma

The Hitman remains one of the finest batsmen to have donned the Indian jersey. Regarded as one of the most talented cricketers to have been a part of the Indian playing XI, Rohit Sharma is nothing short of a legend when it comes to smashing mammoth records without breaking a sweat.

Being the only cricketer with 3 double hundreds to his name, Rohit Sharma remains one of the strongest contenders who could strike hard in the Asia Cup contests.