5 World-class Asian cricketers who could be playing their last World Cup

MS Dhoni has found form in the ongoing ODI series between India and Australia
MS Dhoni has found form in the ongoing ODI series between India and Australia

A little over 4 months remain for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Cricket's biggest tournament will be hosted by Wales and England this time around. The anticipation has already started to build for the event which witnesses the most scintillating display with both bat and ball from all the participating countries.

Ten teams will be vying against each other for the coveted trophy. The format has been changed and a single round-robin format will be followed initially post which the top 4 teams will make it to the semi-finals, and winners of the semi-finals will progress to the final. Such a format was last followed during the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

Many greats are remembered for helping their teams to victories during the World Cup. The upcoming edition of the World Cup is no exception and will see some of the finest cricketing legends in action. These are the senior players who bring in the much-needed experience in their sides and act as vital cogs on the pitch.

However, it might just be the last World Cup for some of these players. In this article, we specifically focus on some world-class Asian cricketers for whom it will, in all likelihood, be the last World Cup. In fact, some of these legends might just pull the plug on their careers altogether post the mega cricket extravaganza.


#5 Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh)

Mortaza
Mortaza

Mashrafe Mortaza of Bangladesh has had a long and illustrious career. Despite facing many injury setbacks, the bowling all-rounder has many records to his name.

The 'Narail Express,' as he is popularly known, has made 202 appearances (the most by a player) for the Tigers. He has also made the maximum appearances (70) as captain of the national team. With 258 wickets in 202 ODIs, Mortaza also holds the record for being Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in the format.

The potent speedster has represented the nation in 36 Tests (picking up 78 wickets) and 54 T20Is (picking up 42 wickets) as well. The 35-year-old has proven his worth as an effective lower order batsman.

Mortaza represented Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in the past, and 3 teams in the Bangladesh Premier League - namely Dhaka Gladiators, Comilla Victorians, and Rangpur Riders.

The Bangladeshi player is currently playing for the Rangpur Riders in the BPL and has given some useful performances for the team, picking up 8 wickets in the previous 5 matches.

With age not on his side, the 2019 World Cup might just be the last for the quintessential bowler.

#4 Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan)

Hafeez has been a vital player for The Men in Green
Hafeez has been a vital player for The Men in Green

Mohammad Hafeez is one of Pakistan's all-time best batting all-rounders. The elegant batsman has represented the men in green in 55 Tests making 3652 runs at an average of 37.65, in 203 ODIs scoring 6153 runs at an average of 32.73, and in 89 T20Is, amassing 1908 runs at an average of 24.46.

The Sargodha-born player is no nut with the ball as well. He has picked up 137, 53, 54 wickets in ODIs, Tests, and T20Is, respectively. An off-break bowler, Hafeez is also extremely economical.

Kolkata Knight Riders, Faisalabad Wolves, Lahore Lions, Peshawar Zalmi, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Rajshahi Kings, and Lahore Qalandars are some of the domestic teams the all-rounder has represented. The 38-year-old is currently playing for the Rajshahi Kings in the BPL and picked up 2 wickets and scored 26 runs in their previous match on 13 January 2019.

Hafeez has not been in the best of form lately and is likely to pull the plug on his international career after the 2019 World Cup. He may, however, continue playing in the domestic T20 leagues.

#3 Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Lasith Malinga during New Zealand v Sri Lanka - ODI Game 3
Lasith Malinga during New Zealand v Sri Lanka - ODI Game 3

35-year-old Separamadu Lasith Malinga is likely to play his last World Cup in 2019. The Lankan bowler is known for his flamboyance, his stylish hair, and his piercings. However, the right-arm fast bowler is best known for his ability with the ball.

The speedster has picked up 11 wickets in the previous 5 matches he has played for the Lions.

So far, Malinga has picked up 318 wickets in 213 ODIs, 101 wickets in 30 Tests, and 94 wickets in 70 T20Is. His even captained the national team in the ODIs against New Zealand.

Mumbai Indians, Ruhuna Royals, Melbourne Stars, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Southern Express, Rangpur Riders, and Khulna Titans are some of the T20 domestic league teams the pacer has represented in the past. He was sold for his base price of ₹2 crore in the recently concluded IPL auction and will again be seen in Mumbai Indians colors.

#2 Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)

Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik

Sialkot-born Shoaib Malik has batted at all positions throughout his career. The batting all-rounder has had an international career spanning almost two decades. He also holds the record for the player with the most matches in T20Is (108 matches).

The 36-year-old retired from Test cricket in November 2015 to focus on limited overs formats and specifically on the 2019 Cricket World Cup. His record across all three formats is impressive: He scored 1898 runs and picked up 32 wickets in 35 Tests, scored 7284 runs and clinched 156 wickets in 274 ODIs, scored 2190 runs and scalped 28 wickets in T20Is.

The dependable player is currently playing for the Comilla Victorians in the BPL. However, he is struggling to find form. He has scored just 15 runs in the previous 3 matches. Prior to this, he was playing for the Karachi Whites in the National T20 Cup and his performance was satisfactory.

In all likelihood, Malik will retire from International cricket post the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

#1 MS Dhoni (India)

Dhoni's experience can play a major part in the upcoming Cricket World Cup
Dhoni's experience can play a major part in the upcoming Cricket World Cup

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's name will be etched in Indian cricket history forever whenever he decides to bid adieu to the sport.

Many experts regard him as the best Wicketkeeper-batsman of all time. A talismanic leader, Dhoni has been at the heart of the Indian team for over a decade now. He holds the record for playing the most (332) international matches as captain.

The 37-year-old has an exuberant career: 4876 runs in 90 Tests at an average of 38.09; 10279 runs in 334 ODIs at an average of 50.39; and 1487 runs in 93 T20Is at an average of 37.17.

Mahi retired from Tests in 2014 itself. The Ranchi-born player also struggled to find form during 2018 and was on the receiving end of a lot of criticism.

However, with back to back fifties in the ongoing ODI series against the Aussies, Dhoni has proven that he still got what it takes to be at the international level. Dhoni played a match-winning knock of 55 not out against Australia on 15 January 2019. It was an extremely calm and composed knock and would certainly give him a lot of confidence going forward.

With over 300 catches and 115 stumpings in ODIs, Dhoni is expected to be a key figure for the Men in Blue during the World Cup.

There are a lot of speculations that Dhoni will call it quits after the upcoming World Cup in England.


Which other prominent Asian cricketers do you feel may call it quits after the 2019 Cricket World Cup? Do share your opinions in the comments section below.

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Edited by Aditya Joshi