Asian XI: Best ODI playing XI in 2018 considering only players from Asia

Middle Order

Australia v India - Game 3

Virat Kohli (India)

Is there anything left to say about the Indian run machine? He has already proved his critics wrong on multiple occasions and he has scored runs at a mind-boggling average of 133 this year. He has won the ICC player of the year twice and is well on his way to equal Ab de Villiers' record of 3 awards. Kohli is the most consistent Asian player this year, which is evident from his average of 133.

1st Momentum ODI: South Africa v Bangladesh

Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) (WK)

Mushfiqur Rahim has been one of the mainstays in the Bangladesh middle order this year and has repeatedly saved Bangladesh from spots of bother. He has been in scintillating form this year and thus finds his name on this list. Mushfiqur has scored five half-centuries, and a century this year in the 18 games Rahim has played. He is one of the best middle order batsmen this year.

2nd Momentum ODI: South Africa v Bangladesh

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Another Bangladeshi who features on this list, Shakib has been responsible for Bangladesh's seemingly instantaneous rise over the last two years. He has had an impressive 2018 and has further established himself as a great middle order batsman and spin bowler. He has scored runs at a good average of 35 with five half-centuries in the 13 innings he played. On the bowling front, he has taken 21 wickets at a good average of 26.

Sri Lanka v England - International Twenty20

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

During a year where Sri Lanka's batting mainstay from 2017, Upul Tharanga, failed to make much of an impact and the team lost most of the matches they have played, Thisara Perera has been one of the lone bright spots in a dark year for Sri Lanka. Perera ends the year as his countries highest run scorer with 485 runs at a decent average of 35, and his countries second highest wicket-taker with 25 wickets this year at a brilliant average of 20 runs a piece.