Bumrah aims to maintain top rank
DUBAI: India pacer Jasprit Bumrah will look to maintain his top position in the ICC ODI bowlers ranking during the Asia Cup which begins here Saturday.
“The Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates is going to be huge and I’m really looking forward to doing my best here,” Bumrah said.
“Being at the top of the ICC rankings is a matter of great pride for me. We will be playing against some leading players and I know the conditions can be challenging but I’m hoping to be at my best.”
Several leading players, including Bumrah, will go into the Asia Cup aiming to consolidate their positions in the ICC rankings and also use the multination tournament to prepare for next year’s World Cup.
While Bumrah, who has a lead of 20 points over Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan, will hope to continue to hold on to his status, spinners Kuldeep Yadav (sixth) and Yuzvendra Chahal (joint-ninth) too will look to consolidate position in the top 10.
Pakistan’s Hasan Ali is also looking to claw his way back two spots to number one in the bowlers’ ranking. The Asia Cup kicks off with a match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Dubai on Saturday.
Among batsmen, Pakistan’s Babar will also look to bridge the big gap with Virat Kohli, who is not playing in this tournament.
“We as a team are looking forward to the Asia Cup and I have some extra incentive in my individual ranking,” second-ranked batsman Babar said.
“I know Virat is way ahead in terms of rating points but this is definitely a chance to consoli- date my position at number two and gain some valuable ranking points.”
Bangladesh’s Shakib will also aim to be at his best and show everyone why he is top-ranked among all-rounders.
Several openers who figure prominently in the rankings will be seen in action during the Asia Cup, including the India pair of Rohit Sharma (fourth) and Shikhar Dhawan (ninth), Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal (12th) and Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman (16th).
Afghanistan, qualifiers Hong Kong, India and Pakistan get into action later as they try to qualify for the Super Four stage.
DHANUSHKA RULED OUT
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Dhanushka Gunathilaka suffered a back injury and was ruled out of the Asia Cup on Thursday, dealing a major blow to the islanders.
Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement that the 27-year-old left-handed batsman will return home from Dubai where he suffered a lower-back injury during practice ahead of their first match against Bangladesh. He will be replaced by left-hand bat Shehan Jayasuriya. On Monday, Test captain Dinesh Chandimal was withdrawn from the 16-member squad after he injured a finger during a domestic Twenty20 match.