Champions Trophy: Such an Asia Cup really feel to Group A

File Pic: India and Pakistan cricketers. (Company Photograph)

With India, Pakistan and Bangladesh bunched collectively alongside New Zealand, bragging rights are at stake for subcontinent groups
With the ICC Champions Trophy right here, cricket lovers worldwide are eager to evaluate the prospects of the eight groups vying for the title. Scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Dubai from Feb 19 to March 9, this version marks the event’s return after an eight-year hiatus.
Beginning with Group A, TOI examines the prospects of every group, evaluating their property, areas of concern, potential game-changing alternatives, and threats that they have to overcome to elevate the trophy.
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INDIA
Strengths: India’s batting line-up is replete with pedigree and energy, that includes stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer add depth to the batting order. The presence of a number of allrounders like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel supplies steadiness to the facet. Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy make up a potent spin assault.
Weaknesses: The absence of Jasprit Bumrah attributable to harm is a setback. With out Bumrah, India’s tempo assault is inexperienced. Mohammed Shami would’ve to do quite a lot of heavy lifting. Issues exist concerning the consistency of Rohit and Virat, although Rohit’s century and Virat’s fifty in opposition to England provide hope.
Alternatives: Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have the platform to determine themselves as mainstays. Enjoying all their matches in Dubai can be like a “house benefit” for the Indian group.
Threats: Key gamers like Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav are coming back from accidents and should face health challenges. India additionally has a historical past of faltering within the knockout levels of ICC tournaments.

PAKISTAN
Strengths: As hosts, Pakistan will profit from acquainted circumstances and passionate native help. Led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s quick bowling unit is formidable. With skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha putting wealthy kind lately, Pakistan’s middle-order boasts of each expertise and expertise.
Weaknesses: Babar Azam hasn’t been in the most effective of kind lately. Fakhar Zaman, the opposite opener, is discovering his method again into worldwide cricket. Pakistan’s top-order batting has proven vulnerability below stress. Their fielding isn’t nice.
Alternatives: The likes of Salman Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam have the prospect to make a big affect on the worldwide stage.
Threats: Enjoying at house brings immense stress to carry out, which may lead to stage-fright. Having only one specialist spinner in Abrar Ahmed is a dangerous ploy. Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah can bowl too, however they’re at finest part-timers.

NEW ZEALAND
Strengths: Identified for his or her reliability, constant performers like Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham present stability. A mixture of skilled pacers like Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry in addition to a reliable spin division makes their bowling versatile. New Zealand’s fielding is top-notch.
Weaknesses: Whereas constant, the group typically lacks gamechanging X-factor gamers who can single-handedly flip matches. Conceding runs within the dying overs has been an space of concern.
Alternatives: Younger skills like Rachin Ravindra, Will O’Rourke and Glenn Phillips have the prospect to shine on an enormous stage. Pitches in Pakistan and UAE may go well with their bowlers, particularly spinners.
Threats: Traditionally, NZ have confronted challenges in high-pressure knockout matches, and that will take a look at them once more. The group’s depth may very well be examined if senior gamers do not carry their A-game to the event.
BANGLADESH
Strengths: Veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah present a strong spine. Bangladesh’s spinners are their major energy. They’re adept at exploiting subcontinental circumstances and have familiarity with the home-like circumstances in each Pakistan and Dubai.
Weaknesses: Inconsistency has been a longstanding situation for Bangladesh. The batting line-up is susceptible to collapses, which impacts their skill to chase totals or capitalise on good begins. The tempo assault has traditionally struggled to comprise rivals on flat tracks. They lack energy hitters within the decrease center order.
Alternatives: Younger skills like Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, and quick bowler Nahid Rana could make a mark in a marquee event. Lack of highlight on them could make them a shock bundle.
Threats: The absence of Shakib Al Hasan raises considerations in regards to the energy of the spin division in addition to the middle-order. Bangladesh misplaced latest ODIs in opposition to Afghanistan and West Indies the place key gamers struggled with kind and consistency.