The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/the-negative-publicity-shown-all-over-the-world-slc-secretary-on-the-reason-behind-asia-cups-shift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia Cup</strong></a> is finally back after a hiatus nearing four years, and if the fans weren&#8217;t excited enough for the much-anticipated tournament, the ACC added fuel to it by announcing the fixture list a couple of days ago. Defending champions India clash in a blockbuster group tie against eternal rivals Pakistan on matchday two.

Both sides have undergone significant alterations since their last meeting in the tournament in 2018 and will be without some of their key players from the previous edition as this year&#8217;s tournament will be a T20 event. While it will be Rohit Sharma&#8217;s first major tournament as a skipper, he was the stand-in skipper in 2018 when India lifted its seventh Asia Cup trophy.

We list five key players from the 2018 edition, who won&#8217;t feature in this year&#8217;s tournament:

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-282496" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shoaib-Malik-3.jpg" alt="Shoaib Malik" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282496" class="wp-caption-text">Shoaib Malik. (Photo Source: Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pakistan&#8217;s evergreen batter and jack of all trades <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/they-dont-have-his-replacement-aaqib-javed-furious-over-shoaib-maliks-absence-in-pakistans-asia-cup-squad/"><strong>Shoaib Malik</strong></a>, has featured for the national team for more than two decades and continues to be an asset even at the ripe age of 40.

The Pakistani all-rounder has got 2435 runs to his name in 111 innings in T20Is, averaging an impressive 31.21. He is the first cricketer to feature in 100 T20Is, and he is also the first Asian batter to breach the 2000 run mark in T20Is.

Malik&#8217;s absence in this year&#8217;s tournament could be crucial for the Men in Green as he was their second-leading run-getter in the 2018 edition of the tournament. His experience in the middle order would have added another layer of security to the relatively inexperienced batting order.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-282386" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shikhar-Dhawan-5.jpg" alt="Shikhar Dhawan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282386" class="wp-caption-text">Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Indian batting bulwark Shikhar Dhawan has been one of the mainstays of the Indian batting lineup for a number of years now. But he is unlikely to feature for the Indian team since the Asia Cup is a T20 tournament this year, and the southpaw isn&#8217;t a part of plans in the format.

The 36-year-old opener last featured in the Indian T20I side in July 2021, and since then has been only playing 50 over cricket for the national side as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/credit-goes-to-rohit-sharma-and-rahul-dravid-hardik-pandya-lauds-management-for-giving-ample-chances-to-youngsters/"><strong>Rohit Sharma&#8217;s</strong></a> new philosophy isn&#8217;t viable for the conservative veteran batter.

Dhawan played a crucial role in India&#8217;s triumph in the 2018 edition, providing solid starts at the top order, scoring 342 runs, the most in the tournament, along with two magnificent centuries to his name in five appearances.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-578865" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Hasan-Ali-bowling.jpg" alt="Hasan Ali bowling" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-578865" class="wp-caption-text">Hasan Ali bowling. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Hasan Ali&#8217;s career has gone into a tailspin following his incredible 2017 Champions Trophy campaign, finishing as the leading wicket-tacker of the tournament and clinching the player of the tournament award.

The Pakistani pacer has seen an atrocious dip in form over the last 12 months, playing just a handful of games for the Men in Green, failing to leave a mark. In addition to his disappointing outing with the ball, he has been shocking on the field, dropping crucial catches, none more so than the potentially match-changing catch of Matthew Wade&#8217;s in last year&#8217;s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia.

The Pakistani team management has instead opted for young pacers like Naseem Shah in place of the 26-year-old in this year&#8217;s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/asia-cup/?page=1"><strong>tournament</strong></a>, ahead of their leading wicket-taker in 2018.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-282338" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Amir.jpg" alt="Mohammad Amir of Pakistan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282338" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Amir. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pakistani left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir&#8217;s cricketing abilities have often been overshadowed by the controversies surrounding him. Amir shocked the world by announcing his retirement from international cricket in 2020 after his fall out with the team management.

The bowling spearhead has hinted at a return to international cricket multiple times but wants personnel in the top management to be changed in the PCB. However, it remains to be seen if he will be in the plans even after announcing his return.

The Men in Green won&#8217;t be sweating much on Amir&#8217;s absence as they have a new bowling sensation in their ranks by the name of Shaheen Afridi, a much more consistent speedster. Amir was horrible in the 2018 Asia Cup, failing to pick a single wicket in the three games and conceding 41 runs in just five overs against India in the final match.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-283616" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni-6.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-283616" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 post the disappointment of the 2019 World Cup, as a teary-eyed India saw their most successful captain bow out with a grimace on his face.

An ever-present figure in the Indian middle-order and one of the most enigmatic finishers of all time, it&#8217;s hard for any team to fill the shoes vacated by the Indian great.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/karthik-was-batting-well-in-practice-game-but-rohit-had-to-play-r-sridhar-on-ms-dhonis-big-move-during-2013-champions-trophy/"><strong>Dhoni</strong></a> was part of the triumphant Indian team led by stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma in the absence of Virat Kohli, defeating Bangladesh in an enthralling finale. The former Indian skipper contributed with crucial 36 runs in a low-scoring thriller.

<p>The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/the-negative-publicity-shown-all-over-the-world-slc-secretary-on-the-reason-behind-asia-cups-shift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia Cup</strong></a> is finally back after a hiatus nearing four years, and if the fans weren’t excited enough for the much-anticipated tournament, the ACC added fuel to it by announcing the fixture list a couple of days ago. Defending champions India clash in a blockbuster group tie against eternal rivals Pakistan on matchday two.</p>
<p>Both sides have undergone significant alterations since their last meeting in the tournament in 2018 and will be without some of their key players from the previous edition as this year’s tournament will be a T20 event. While it will be Rohit Sharma’s first major tournament as a skipper, he was the stand-in skipper in 2018 when India lifted its seventh Asia Cup trophy.</p>
<h3>We list five key players from the 2018 edition, who won’t feature in this year’s tournament:</h3>
<h3>1. Shoaib Malik</h3>
<figure id="attachment_282496" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-282496" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-282496" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shoaib-Malik-3.jpg" alt="Shoaib Malik" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282496" class="wp-caption-text">Shoaib Malik. (Photo Source: Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Pakistan’s evergreen batter and jack of all trades <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/they-dont-have-his-replacement-aaqib-javed-furious-over-shoaib-maliks-absence-in-pakistans-asia-cup-squad/"><strong>Shoaib Malik</strong></a>, has featured for the national team for more than two decades and continues to be an asset even at the ripe age of 40.</p>
<p>The Pakistani all-rounder has got 2435 runs to his name in 111 innings in T20Is, averaging an impressive 31.21. He is the first cricketer to feature in 100 T20Is, and he is also the first Asian batter to breach the 2000 run mark in T20Is.</p>
<p>Malik’s absence in this year’s tournament could be crucial for the Men in Green as he was their second-leading run-getter in the 2018 edition of the tournament. His experience in the middle order would have added another layer of security to the relatively inexperienced batting order.</p>
<h3>2. Shikhar Dhawan</h3>
<figure id="attachment_282386" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-282386" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-282386" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shikhar-Dhawan-5.jpg" alt="Shikhar Dhawan" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282386" class="wp-caption-text">Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Indian batting bulwark Shikhar Dhawan has been one of the mainstays of the Indian batting lineup for a number of years now. But he is unlikely to feature for the Indian team since the Asia Cup is a T20 tournament this year, and the southpaw isn’t a part of plans in the format.</p>
<p>The 36-year-old opener last featured in the Indian T20I side in July 2021, and since then has been only playing 50 over cricket for the national side as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/credit-goes-to-rohit-sharma-and-rahul-dravid-hardik-pandya-lauds-management-for-giving-ample-chances-to-youngsters/"><strong>Rohit Sharma’s</strong></a> new philosophy isn’t viable for the conservative veteran batter.</p>
<p>Dhawan played a crucial role in India’s triumph in the 2018 edition, providing solid starts at the top order, scoring 342 runs, the most in the tournament, along with two magnificent centuries to his name in five appearances.</p>
<h3>3. Hasan Ali</h3>
<figure id="attachment_578865" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-578865" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-578865" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Hasan-Ali-bowling.jpg" alt="Hasan Ali bowling" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-578865" class="wp-caption-text">Hasan Ali bowling. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Hasan Ali’s career has gone into a tailspin following his incredible 2017 Champions Trophy campaign, finishing as the leading wicket-tacker of the tournament and clinching the player of the tournament award.</p>
<p>The Pakistani pacer has seen an atrocious dip in form over the last 12 months, playing just a handful of games for the Men in Green, failing to leave a mark. In addition to his disappointing outing with the ball, he has been shocking on the field, dropping crucial catches, none more so than the potentially match-changing catch of Matthew Wade’s in last year’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia.</p>
<p>The Pakistani team management has instead opted for young pacers like Naseem Shah in place of the 26-year-old in this year’s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/asia-cup/?page=1"><strong>tournament</strong></a>, ahead of their leading wicket-taker in 2018.</p>
<h3>4. Mohammad Amir</h3>
<figure id="attachment_282338" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-282338" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-282338" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Amir.jpg" alt="Mohammad Amir of Pakistan" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282338" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Amir. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Pakistani left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir’s cricketing abilities have often been overshadowed by the controversies surrounding him. Amir shocked the world by announcing his retirement from international cricket in 2020 after his fall out with the team management.</p>
<p>The bowling spearhead has hinted at a return to international cricket multiple times but wants personnel in the top management to be changed in the PCB. However, it remains to be seen if he will be in the plans even after announcing his return.</p>
<p>The Men in Green won’t be sweating much on Amir’s absence as they have a new bowling sensation in their ranks by the name of Shaheen Afridi, a much more consistent speedster. Amir was horrible in the 2018 Asia Cup, failing to pick a single wicket in the three games and conceding 41 runs in just five overs against India in the final match.</p>
<h3>5. MS Dhoni</h3>
<figure id="attachment_283616" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-283616" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-283616" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni-6.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-283616" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 post the disappointment of the 2019 World Cup, as a teary-eyed India saw their most successful captain bow out with a grimace on his face.</p>
<p>An ever-present figure in the Indian middle-order and one of the most enigmatic finishers of all time, it’s hard for any team to fill the shoes vacated by the Indian great.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/karthik-was-batting-well-in-practice-game-but-rohit-had-to-play-r-sridhar-on-ms-dhonis-big-move-during-2013-champions-trophy/"><strong>Dhoni</strong></a> was part of the triumphant Indian team led by stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma in the absence of Virat Kohli, defeating Bangladesh in an enthralling finale. The former Indian skipper contributed with crucial 36 runs in a low-scoring thriller.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/the-negative-publicity-shown-all-over-the-world-slc-secretary-on-the-reason-behind-asia-cups-shift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia Cup</strong></a> is finally back after a hiatus nearing four years, and if the fans weren&#8217;t excited enough for the much-anticipated tournament, the ACC added fuel to it by announcing the fixture list a couple of days ago. Defending champions India clash in a blockbuster group tie against eternal rivals Pakistan on matchday two.</p>
<p>Both sides have undergone significant alterations since their last meeting in the tournament in 2018 and will be without some of their key players from the previous edition as this year&#8217;s tournament will be a T20 event. While it will be Rohit Sharma&#8217;s first major tournament as a skipper, he was the stand-in skipper in 2018 when India lifted its seventh Asia Cup trophy.</p>
<h3>We list five key players from the 2018 edition, who won&#8217;t feature in this year&#8217;s tournament:</h3>
<h3>1. Shoaib Malik</h3>
<figure id="attachment_282496" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-282496" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-282496" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shoaib-Malik-3.jpg" alt="Shoaib Malik" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282496" class="wp-caption-text">Shoaib Malik. (Photo Source: Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Pakistan&#8217;s evergreen batter and jack of all trades <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/they-dont-have-his-replacement-aaqib-javed-furious-over-shoaib-maliks-absence-in-pakistans-asia-cup-squad/"><strong>Shoaib Malik</strong></a>, has featured for the national team for more than two decades and continues to be an asset even at the ripe age of 40.</p>
<p>The Pakistani all-rounder has got 2435 runs to his name in 111 innings in T20Is, averaging an impressive 31.21. He is the first cricketer to feature in 100 T20Is, and he is also the first Asian batter to breach the 2000 run mark in T20Is.</p>
<p>Malik&#8217;s absence in this year&#8217;s tournament could be crucial for the Men in Green as he was their second-leading run-getter in the 2018 edition of the tournament. His experience in the middle order would have added another layer of security to the relatively inexperienced batting order.</p>
<h3>2. Shikhar Dhawan</h3>
<figure id="attachment_282386" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-282386" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-282386" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shikhar-Dhawan-5.jpg" alt="Shikhar Dhawan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282386" class="wp-caption-text">Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Indian batting bulwark Shikhar Dhawan has been one of the mainstays of the Indian batting lineup for a number of years now. But he is unlikely to feature for the Indian team since the Asia Cup is a T20 tournament this year, and the southpaw isn&#8217;t a part of plans in the format.</p>
<p>The 36-year-old opener last featured in the Indian T20I side in July 2021, and since then has been only playing 50 over cricket for the national side as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/credit-goes-to-rohit-sharma-and-rahul-dravid-hardik-pandya-lauds-management-for-giving-ample-chances-to-youngsters/"><strong>Rohit Sharma&#8217;s</strong></a> new philosophy isn&#8217;t viable for the conservative veteran batter.</p>
<p>Dhawan played a crucial role in India&#8217;s triumph in the 2018 edition, providing solid starts at the top order, scoring 342 runs, the most in the tournament, along with two magnificent centuries to his name in five appearances.</p>
<h3>3. Hasan Ali</h3>
<figure id="attachment_578865" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-578865" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-578865" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Hasan-Ali-bowling.jpg" alt="Hasan Ali bowling" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-578865" class="wp-caption-text">Hasan Ali bowling. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Hasan Ali&#8217;s career has gone into a tailspin following his incredible 2017 Champions Trophy campaign, finishing as the leading wicket-tacker of the tournament and clinching the player of the tournament award.</p>
<p>The Pakistani pacer has seen an atrocious dip in form over the last 12 months, playing just a handful of games for the Men in Green, failing to leave a mark. In addition to his disappointing outing with the ball, he has been shocking on the field, dropping crucial catches, none more so than the potentially match-changing catch of Matthew Wade&#8217;s in last year&#8217;s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia.</p>
<p>The Pakistani team management has instead opted for young pacers like Naseem Shah in place of the 26-year-old in this year&#8217;s <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tag/asia-cup/?page=1"><strong>tournament</strong></a>, ahead of their leading wicket-taker in 2018.</p>
<h3>4. Mohammad Amir</h3>
<figure id="attachment_282338" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-282338" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-282338" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Amir.jpg" alt="Mohammad Amir of Pakistan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-282338" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Amir. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Pakistani left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir&#8217;s cricketing abilities have often been overshadowed by the controversies surrounding him. Amir shocked the world by announcing his retirement from international cricket in 2020 after his fall out with the team management.</p>
<p>The bowling spearhead has hinted at a return to international cricket multiple times but wants personnel in the top management to be changed in the PCB. However, it remains to be seen if he will be in the plans even after announcing his return.</p>
<p>The Men in Green won&#8217;t be sweating much on Amir&#8217;s absence as they have a new bowling sensation in their ranks by the name of Shaheen Afridi, a much more consistent speedster. Amir was horrible in the 2018 Asia Cup, failing to pick a single wicket in the three games and conceding 41 runs in just five overs against India in the final match.</p>
<h3>5. MS Dhoni</h3>
<figure id="attachment_283616" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-283616" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-283616" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni-6.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-283616" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 post the disappointment of the 2019 World Cup, as a teary-eyed India saw their most successful captain bow out with a grimace on his face.</p>
<p>An ever-present figure in the Indian middle-order and one of the most enigmatic finishers of all time, it&#8217;s hard for any team to fill the shoes vacated by the Indian great.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/karthik-was-batting-well-in-practice-game-but-rohit-had-to-play-r-sridhar-on-ms-dhonis-big-move-during-2013-champions-trophy/"><strong>Dhoni</strong></a> was part of the triumphant Indian team led by stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma in the absence of Virat Kohli, defeating Bangladesh in an enthralling finale. The former Indian skipper contributed with crucial 36 runs in a low-scoring thriller.</p>

India will clash against Pakistan in a blockbuster group tie on 28th August.

Asia Cup 2022: 5 India-Pakistan players who played in 2018 edition and will miss this year

While it will be Rohit Sharma's first major tournament as a skipper, he was the stand-in skipper in 2018 when India lifted its seventh Asia Cup trophy.