Asia Cup XI that can take on Asian Champions India

We finally have it- after 13 power-packed games over a span of a fortnight, we have India defending their title as the champions of Asia and clinching the silverware for a record 7th time. The team did start out as a strong contender, but there were many who were wary of the defending champions' chances in the absence of talismanic skipper Virat Kohli.

India did manage to win the title due to their subtle team balance and coordination of all three departments. At the same time, there were many other teams who made a statement, while Bangladesh announced their graduation in world cricket, by almost holding India in a nerve-wracking final.

We have a look at the XI which can take on Asian champions India :

Openers

Mohammad Shahzad (Wicketkeeper- Afghanistan)

Shahzad got off to good starts during the initial half and started converting them into big score towards the business end of the tournament. Popularly called as MS, he contributed with a half-century in the game against Bangladesh and was blitz in the thriller against India, as he ripped apart the young Indian bowlers. Shahzad scored a blistering hundred in the tie against India, and scored the chunk of his team's score, bagging the Man of the Match honours.

He ended up as the highest run scorer for the Afghans, with 268 runs in 5 matches. Despite his substantial frame, he did justice to his job behind the stumps as well, due to which he has been handed the glovework duties in the tournament.

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Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

The 22-year-old batsman was the amongst the very few positives for Pakistan in the tournament, as they failed miserably as a unit. ul-Haq was the only batsman from the much buzzed top order of Pakistan, notching half-centuries in three games. While his advances were kept under check by the Indian bowlers, he batted beautifully in the remaining games.

The southpaw kept fighting a lone battle in the virtual semi-final clash against Bangladesh, as he failed to solicit support from the other players. He ended up as the highest run scorer for his country, with 225 runs in his 5 games.

Middle Order

Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)

Shoaib Malik, the most experienced batsman in the Pakistani lineup, played an anchor’s role in the unsettled middle order. He was the reason behind Pakistan’s win in the close contest against Afghanistan as he showcased his vast experience, keeping his calm till the last over and took his team across the line.

The 36-year old played calculative knocks in a bid to stabilise the innings, but could not solicit contributions from other batsmen. Malik also played his part in holding the ends together in the two games against India after the top order failed to score.

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Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)

Mushfiqur Rahim was the mainstay of the Bangladeshi batting line-up in the absence of pillars like Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. He batted with a proactive approach and provided stability to the innings on numerous occasions, after coming in at precarious situations. Rahim was at his sublime best apart from the two games against India. He provided a blistering start to the tournament by amassing a personal best and second highest score in the Asia Cup (144).

He was also instrumental in setting up a summit clash against India with his calculative knock of 99 against Pakistan. Rahim struggled with his fitness throughout the tournament, as a result of which I have not selected him as the team's wicketkeeper.

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Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan)

Shahidi was undoubtedly the best Afghan batsman in the Asia Cup. The southpaw steered his team out of precarious situations numerous times and gelled extremely well with the lower middle order to give a good finish to the innings. His valuable knocks in the group stage enabled Afghanistan to oust Sri Lanka and pip Bangladesh to top Group B. Shahidi played a sensational knock of 97* against Pakistan in the midst of adversities and almost took his team to victory.

He ended up as the second highest run-getter amongst Afghan batsmen.

All Rounders

Ehsan Khan (Hong Kong)

Ehsan Khan formed an integral part of the Hong Kong unit down the order providing a fair amount of balance to the side. He picked up both the wickets in the game against Pakistan and though ended up a bit expensive against India but picked up the two priced scalps of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. He also added some runs down the order in the high-pressure chase against India.

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Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)

Nabi is a seasoned limited overs player and a part of the lethal spin trio of Afghanistan. The all-rounder stepped in whenever the team required him, whether with the bat or the ball. Nabi played some crucial knocks down the order, ensuring that Afghanistan post a competitive score. He followed it up with the bowl, by restricting the flow of runs and maintain the pressure with his miserly spells and wickets.

Spinner

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

The 20-year old Afghan created ripples through his breakthrough performances in the Asia Cup. The linchpin of the bowling attack, Rashid lived up to the expectations as he picked up crucial scalps to place his team at the top of Group A. He was also sensational in the close games against Pakistan as he restricted the flow of runs to take the pressure back to the opposition, although could not win the game. Rashid bowled the crucial overs towards the end against India and secured a thrilling tie for his side.

The leggie ended as the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 10 scalps from 5 games.

Fast Bowlers

Mashrafe Mortaza (Captain- Bangladesh)

The Bangladeshi captain enjoyed moderate success in the tournament with the ball, however, he was electric as a captain, taking proactive decisions and channelizing his resources efficiently. Mortaza led from the front in the last two games, and his captaincy and an electric catch were the difference between the two sides in the virtual semi-final against Pakistan.

He also led his team brilliantly in the final against India, taking the game until the very last ball.

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Junaid Khan (Pakistan)

Pakistani team were expected to set the stage on fire with their battery of left-arm seamers. Though the much-fancied likes of Mohammad Amir and Usman Khan failed to deliver the goods, it was Junaid Khan who stepped up in the last game of the Super Four stage.

Though Junaid played only one game, he picked up 4 crucial wickets, running through the top and lower order of Bangladesh.

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Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)

Mustafizur Rahman was the spearhead of the Bangladeshi pace attack. In a tournament and turf that did not have much for the fast bowlers, The Fizz ended up with 8 wickets in the 6 games he played, being the joint second highest wicket-taker. He was particularly impressive in the viratual semi-final against Pakistan, as he cleaned up 4 opposition batsmen with his brilliance.

The 23-year old also held his nerve in the final and brought his team to the brink of victory.