India are favourites to win Asia Cup in UAE, says former Lankan pacer Maharoof

Former Sri Lanka fast-bowling all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has backed India to win the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup, calling them ‘clear favourites’ in terms of how their squad is shaping up.

India have won the Asia Cup eight times, including emerging victorious in the T20I edition of the competition held in Bangladesh in 2016. The 17th edition of the Asia Cup, set to happen in the UAE from September 9-28, marks India’s first T20I outing since winning the home series against England by 4-1 in January.

“I would think clear favourites for me are India, looking at how their side is. Dark horses for me, I’ll say Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. One big reason is that in big tournaments, it’s about (the performance) on that particular day in T20 cricket,” Maharoof said on the sidelines of the CLT10 league.

India will open their Group A campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10, followed by a high-stakes clash against Pakistan at the same venue on September 14, before facing Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19.

Maharoof also thinks the shape of India’s fast bowling attack looks great, especially due to the presence of fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

India also have the services of Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya and Harshit Rana in their fast-bowling department, apart from an extra seam-bowling option in Shivam Dube.

“It’s hard to say which pace attack (is best placed). But I think certainly India has a good set-up with Bumrah in. Pakistan is also up there. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are equal. So, probably India and Pakistan are equal, then Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are equal,” he added.

The Super Four stage of the competition will take place from September 20-26, before the final takes place in Dubai on September 28.

The Asia Cup also serves as a crucial build-up platform for India ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka, where they enter the competition as defending champions.

Samson sends strong message, slams 42-ball century in KCL: Sanju Samson sent out a powerful message ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup, blasting a breathtaking 42-ball century to power Kochi Blue Tigers to a nail-biting last-ball victory over Aries Kollam Sailors in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL 2025) at the Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield Stadium.

Named in India’s 15-man squad for the Asia Cup, Samson faces a challenging scenario after chief selector Ajit Agarkar suggested that Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are likely to open, leaving Samson either on the bench or pushed into a middle-order role.

After sitting out the tournament opener against Adani Trivandrum Royals, Sanju struggled in his first outing against Alleppey Ripples, managing only 13 off 22 balls before falling to Jalaj Saxena

However, against Aries Kollam Sailors, Samson was at his destructive best, hammering 121 off just 51 balls with 14 fours and seven sixes — an innings that not only sealed victory for Kochi Blue Tigers but also reignited the spotlight on him ahead of the continental showpiece.

Across 42 T20Is for India, Samson has accumulated 861 runs from 38 innings at an average of 25.38, registering three centuries and two fifties. Over the past year, he has reinvented himself as an opener, smashing three hundreds in just five innings during series against Bangladesh and South Africa.

In fact, Samson emerged as India’s standout T20I batter last year, amassing 436 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 43.60 and a blistering strike rate of 180.16 — a run that featured three centuries and a half-century.

Meanwhile, Oman on Monday named a 17-member squad for their maiden Asia Cup appearance.

The side will be captained by Jatinder Singh, who will lead Oman into their first match against Pakistan on September 12 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Agencies