Asia’s main cricketing nations begin their preparations for next year’s World Cup when they contest the region’s top one-day prize from today.
Away from the global spotlight on the soccer World Cup in South Africa, the four-nation Asia Cup will be played in Sri Lanka over the next 10 days.
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, who co-host the cricket World Cup from February to April, will be joined by Pakistan in a round-robin preliminary league with the top two teams contesting the final.
India go into the tournament in Dambulla hoping to make amends for their failure to reach the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
A second-string side then lost twice to hosts Zimbabwe in a recent one-day tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka, exposing a weak bench that does not augur well for the World Cup.
India, who face Bangladesh in their first match tomorrow, are without Sachin Tendulkar who opted to rest ahead of a busy season.
Also missing is one-day regular Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped due to poor form.
Pakistan, preparing to clash with holders Sri Lanka in today’s opener, have recalled mercurial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for the first time since May last year.
Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi leads a talented Pakistani squad which includes three promising batsmen in Umar Amin, 21, Shahzaib Hasan, 20, and Asad Shafiq, 24.
Sri Lanka, who won the last Asia Cup in Pakistan two years ago, have left out ageing batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis for the tournament.
Bangladesh hope to regroup after being beaten by England in both Tests on seam-friendly tracks at Lord’s and Old Trafford.
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