India-Pakistan combined XI for Asia Cup 2018

Asia Cup is all set to commence next month in the sweltering conditions of UAE. While India remains the favorites to lift the Asia Cup 2018, one shouldn't forget the competition that would be offered to them from an equally competent Pakistan unit.

Their exploit of team India in the 2017 Champions Trophy was undoubtedly one of their best performances till date. Considering the degree of prowess that Pakistani players posses in the limited formats of the game, it won't be a surprise if they do manage to get their hands onto the most coveted Asia Cup trophy.

While predicting the winners of the India-Pakistan battles in the Asia Cup duels remain a difficult task, one would find it comparatively easier to anticipate the India-Pakistan combined XI for the upcoming contests.

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Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan

Hitman will be expected to notch up another double hundred in Asia Cup games

It would be impossible to think about a playing XI that doesn't have the likes of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. They are undoubtedly the best in the business at the moment, and sure shot contributors for the upcoming Asia Cup contests.

Both players are going through a purple patch in their careers, and an event like Asia Cup would only provide them with all the more opportunities to concrete their position in the team till the 2019 World Cup.

#3 Virat Kohli(c)

Virat Kohli is a man for all occasions

The Indian skipper is hailed as one of the all-time greatest batsmen to have ever played the game. In 211 ODI matches, Virat Kohli has amassed a whopping 9,779 runs at an average of 58.21 with 35 centuries and 48 half-centuries to his name.

With his current set of performances, it looks that he might continue his golden run in the Asia Cup matches as well.

#4 Babar Azam

Babar Azam might deliver some mind-boggling performances in the upcoming games

The 23-year-old is one of the most lethal players that Pakistan has ever produced in the world of cricket. The right-handed batsman has amassed a total of 1,973 runs at an average of 54.81 in 46 ODI games with 8 centuries and 7 fifties to his name.

He remains one of the prolific run-getters from the Asian subcontinent, and would surely play a crucial role during the intense battles of the Asia Cup games.

#5 Wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni(wk)

MS Dhoni's presence is a must for the Asia Cup contests

Be it with the bat or with the gloves, MS Dhoni remains an inspiration to millions of budding cricketers across the world. The veteran of 321 ODI games with almost 10,046 runs under his belt remains a default entrant into the playing XI.

His ability to remain calm and composed amidst the most grueling situations is something that makes him an all-time legend that the cricketing fraternity has ever seen.

#6 All-rounder: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya would emerge as one of the key all-rounders in the tournament

The 24-year-old is perhaps one of the best all-rounders in the cricketing world at present. In 41 ODI games, Pandya has managed to pick 40 wickets. While he has managed to score mere 670 runs with the bat in the 27 innings he has played, one musn't forget the degree of carnage he could unleash onto the opposition bowlers if and when needed.

#7 Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir holds the key for Pakistan in the Asia Cup games

The left arm pacer is one such bowler who can single-handedly squander the opposition's chance for a win amidst the engaging duels.

Regarded as one of the finest bowlers in the Asian subcontinent, Amir, would certainly be one of the key players for Pakistan in the riveting contests that would unravel in UAE.

#8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar is a handy batsman as well

The 28-year-old isn't just an exceptional swing specialist, but a handy batsman as well who is well versed in the art of batting under the most grueling circumstances. His solitary fifty in the ODI game against Sri Lanka, where he batted alongside the legend MS Dhoni, is a perfect testament to his batting prowess.

In 87 ODI games Bhuvneshwar Kumar has managed to pick 90 wickets, and he would surely eye for 10 more to reach the 100 wicket milestone in the coming games.

#9 Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav is a gem of a player

The left arm chinaman had one ripper of a series in the 3-match ODI contests against England. He single-handedly decimated the Englishmen in their own backyard and registered figures of 25/6 in the first game which helped the Indian team to take on a 1-0 lead in the series.

In 26 ODI games, Kuldeep has picked up 48 wickets at an average of 19.35 with a solitary five-haul to his name. Looking at his recent set of performances, it won't be surprising if he manages to continue his stellar contributions in the Asia Cup games which would be held in the conditions of United Arab Emirates.

#10 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah will rip apart the opposition lineup

Bumrah is one name that brings fear into the minds of the opposition batsman from the very instant.

His toe-crushing yorker deliveries make him a totally unplayable player for even some of the most talented batsmen in the cricketing fraternity at this very instant.

#11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal will leave no stone unturned to win games for the Men in Blue

The spin wizard from Haryana has picked up 45 wickets in the 26 games he has played till date. He remains a vital cog for the Indian team in the Asia Cup campaigns, as he is the solitary player who knows the art of drying up the run rates when needed.

The right-arm leg-spinner forms a deadly spin duo with left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav. When working together, they find it easy to uproot even the mightiest of the batsmen in the white-ball cricket without much distress