Three captains who might be playing their last Asia Cup

Asia Cup, one of the most watched cricket tournaments in the world, comes around every two years, alternating between ODIs and T20Is. The 2023 edition of the tournament will be played as a 50 overs format, with six of the best teams in Asia vying for the coveted trophy in a three week spectacle. The first match of Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to be played between Pakistan and Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan, is mere weeks away. With that, the selectors of various teams are picking the best possible squads to ensure quality performances right through the tournament.Also Read: Top five bowling performances in Asia Cup history While some of the players in each of the squads will be quite new to international cricket, their teammates will be in the later stages of their respective careers. Whether it’s one of the prime batters, bowlers, or the captains, nobody could overstay their welcome, in their respective role, without hampering their team in a negative way. To drive home the aforementioned point, SportsTiger looks at three captains who might be playing their last Asia Cup, in a few weeks’ time. 1. Shakib Al Hasan Shakib Al Hasan was given the responsibility of leading Bangladesh cricket team in the Asia Cup 2023, after the former captain Tamim Iqbal resigned from the ODI captaincy. He gave up the role to get himself fit for the 50 overs series against New Zealand next month, with an eye on the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. Notably, during his tenure as ODI captain for Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan led the national team in 50 matches, winning 23 and losing 26 of those. He was in the leadership role in the one day cricket last time in 2017 for the Tigers, before Mashrafe Mortaza took them to new heights in the format. At 36 years of age, Shakib Al Hasan isn’t getting any younger by any stretch of the imagination, plus he must have accepted the leadership role on a short term basis in the upcoming tournament. With that, it’s highly unlikely that he will be playing in the Asia Cup for Bangladesh next time around in 2025, let alone representing them as the captain. #PAGE_BREAK#2. Dasun Shanaka Dasun Shanaka has been very impressive as the captain of Sri Lanka in the 50 overs format, since he took over the reins in 2021, during turbulent times for the team. While leading the national team in 33 ODIs, he has helped the national team win 19 and lose 13 matches in the last two years. Last month, the 31-year-old captained Sri Lanka successfully in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, winning the tournament to help the national team book a spot in the quadrennial spectacle later this year. But, amidst all the positives for the Sri Lankans in the ODIs in recent times, one shouldn’t forget that they haven’t been performing well against teams ranked above them on the ICC ladder. With expectations beginning to rise on Dasun Shanaka as the leader, he will be needing big results in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, to keep the team management and Sri Lanka Cricket officials on his side. The pressures of delivering consistent wins against big teams could mean that he might not be able to play the next continental competition as captain in two years' time. #PAGE_BREAK#3. Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma has captained Team India in 27 ODIs throughout his international career, winning 20 and losing 7 matches in the process. But, since he has taken over the leadership role on a permanent basis in 2021, India haven’t been quite as successful in the 50 overs format, losing series in Bangladesh and South Africa, albeit he wasn’t around for the most of it. But, the biggest point of contention regarding Rohit Sharma as captain in ODIs is the need for Team India to end their ICC trophy drought, lasting for over 10 years now. With the home ODI World Cup on the horizon, he is expected to deliver the trophy as the leader. Irrespective of the results in the upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the 36-year-old isn’t expected to lead the Indian cricket team for much longer in all formats of the game. With that, it’s highly likely that Rohit Sharma will not feature in the Asia Cup next time around in 2025, let alone taking part in it as captain of the Men in Blue.

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Three captains who might be playing their last Asia Cup