Mohammad Hafeez
(Pakistan)
(Mat: 4, Runs: 245, Hig: 105, Avg: 61.25)
The ease with which Hafeez can switch between offence and defence makes him a genuine asset at the top of the order. The 31-year-old’s accurate off-spin and decent fieldwork are a bonus. His stand-out knock in the Asia Cup, unfortunately, was a century in a losing cause against archrivals India.
Tamim Iqbal
(Bangladesh)
(Mat: 4, Runs: 253, Hig: 70, Avg: 63.25)
A last-minute inclusion for the Asia Cup, this elegant left-hander underlined his importance at the head of things with four half-centuries in as many matches. No matter that – Iqbal would make the cut for pure viewership pleasure alone.
Virat Kohli
(India)
Mat: 3, Runs: 357, Hig: 183, Avg: 119)
This new superstar of Indian cricket brooks little argument for the No 3 spot. The 23-year-old vice-captain plundered two centuries and a fifty in three matches. The second hundred, against Pakistan, was a stupendous 143-ball 183 that helped India overcome Pakistan’s mammoth 329.
Kumar Sangakkara
(Sri Lanka)
(Mat: 3, Runs: 142, Hig: 71, Avg: 47.33)
That the Sri Lankan ‘keeper-batsman loses his regular spot to Kohli shouldn’t be perceived as a slight. Sangakkara’s class was apparent as he stroked his way to two half-centuries – albeit both in losing causes – and was as safe as a house behind the stumps. He will also be the captain of the team.
Sakib al Hasan
(Bangladesh)
Batting — Mat: 4, Runs: 237, Hig: 68, Avg: 59.25.
Bowling–Wkt: 6, BB: 2-39, Avg: 33.16)
An all-rounder capable of asserting equally in either capacity, Shakib was at his best in the league game against Pakistan, where he bowled a tight line amid the carnage and then scored a brisk 64 – before his dismissal stalled Bangladesh’s chase.
Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka)
(Mat: 3, Runs: 122, Hig: 57, Avg: 41)
The former opener is enjoying his demotion to the middle order, as is evidenced by a string of scores in the CB series down under and two brisk cameos in the Asia Cup. That his team lost three in three shouldn’t take anything away from Tharanga’s role as a pivotal stabiliser in the middle order.
Nasir Hossain (Bangladesh)
(Mat: 4, Runs: 165, Hig: 54, Avg: 55)
An exciting young prospect, Hossain bats without nerves, is a handy off-spinner is electrifying in the field. His calmness batting in the lower end ensured at least two crucial wins for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.
Umar Gul (Pakistan)
(Mat: 4, Wkt: 9, BB: 3-58, Avg: 23.11)
Expensive at times, Gul poses the wicket-taking threat that is the hallmark of all genuine quicks. Add reverse swing to the mix and what you get is a deadly customer to deal with at the death. Gul’s seven scalps at 23 in what was essentially a batsman’s tournament gets him the strike bowler’s berth.
Abdur Razzak
(Bangladesh)
(Mat: 4, Wkt: 6, BB: 2-26, Avg: 25.66 ):
The left-arm spinner was exceptional as he gave away runs at just 3.85 per over. Although he picked up just six wickets, Razzak’s impact was more in the manner he stifled the opposition, preventing them from getting easy runs.
Saeed Ajmal
(Pakistan)
(Mat: 4,Wkt: 8,BB: 3-27, Avg: 20.12)
Arguably the best offie plying his trade today, Ajmal was – if not at his devious best – in good enough form to come unscathed through four matches. His influence was more in the way he burrowed into the heads of set batsmen, inducing them to commit follies.
Mashrafee bin Murtaza
(Bangladesh)
(Mat: 4, Wkt: 6, BB: 2-44, Avg: 29.50)
The Dhaka Gladiators skipper was on an international comeback in the Asia Cup and acquitted himself well despite a palpable loss of pace. Murtaza picked up six wickets at an economy rate of 4.44 and – in the company of Nazmul Hossain – proved to be one-half of Bangladesh’s containment seaming duo.
*Yahoo cricket made the 11 based on performances in the Asia Cup.
-With New Age input
