Asia Cup 2022: Rating teams based on their fielding

The ability to field has grown in importance in today’s game, and almost every team has now deployed fielding coaches specifically responsible for training the players so they can prevent easy runs from being given away. Additionally, good fielders have the ability to make catches out of thin air and alter the outcome of a game, which now seems to be a pre-requisite for any team.

Current and former players like Ravindra Jadeja, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Suresh Raina, to name a few, proved their presence on the field not just with the bat, but also with their fielding skills.  Two sayings related to cricket, that are applicable to every person associated with the game are- ‘Catches win matches’, and ‘runs saved are equivalent to the runs scored.’

Thus, a player being a good fielder is very much important in modern-day cricket. The Asia Cup, which is all set to begin on August 27 has finally got its six teams. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have been divided into two groups and will be fighting for the prestigious cup and we’ll have a winner on September 11.

Here is the fielding rating for each of the teams in the Asia Cup 2022-

6. Hong Kong- 7/10

The most recent team to make its way into the Asia Cup was Hong Kong, who defeated UAE in the Asia Cup Qualifiers to join India and Pakistan in Group A. Hong Kong is set to face India on August 31 and will then take on Pakistan on September 2.

Hong Kong was very consistent throughout the qualifiers and remained the only unbeaten team as they ended on top of the points table before winning the finals. The very first game of the qualifiers against Singapore was a thrilling contest, but it was the fielders and bowlers who made the win possible.

When 15 runs were needed off the final 6 deliveries, Hong Kong gave away just six runs off the over to bag a win. Even in the finals, they were able to defend UAE to a low total. They earned a spot in the final six teams and have a fine fielding unit.

5. Bangladesh- 7.5/10

The Bangladesh Tigers have recently received a lot of criticism for their poor fielding efforts and the misfielding on the ground. During their game against West Indies this year, the fielders dropped many catches and gave away runs in bonus.

Thus, the Shakib-al-Hasan-led side would look to rising above all the criticisms and come back with a stronger approach. It is not going to be easy for them as they will be facing the in-form Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, both of whom have done well in white-ball cricket recently.

In the past four editions of the tournament, Bangladesh made it to the finals thrice but could not get their hands on the cup. They have proved their worth as a team, and this time again it would be important for them to make a mark on the global platform.

4. Afghanistan- 7.5/10

Mohammad Nabi and his men are in good form in the T20Is. Afghanistan‘s recent stint was against Ireland, which they closely lost by 3-2, but showcased some fine performances in the third and fourth game to level the five-match series.

The skipper and the spin king Rashid Khan have proved to be the finest fielders in the squad. The two all-rounders have not just proved their worth with the bat and ball, but have also saved plenty of runs to take their side to a win.

The spin-all-round duo will surely prove essential in Afghanistan’s upcoming fixtures against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The team is yet to win a major tournament, and if the fielders do good in the games, they might as well secure themselves a spot.

3. Pakistan- 8/10

The Babar Azam-led side will be the favorites in the competition alongside their arch-rivals India, given their strong squad. Pakistan is backed with multiple wins in recent times, and it wasn’t just achieved due to the players’ efforts with the bat or ball.

They have also played a significant role while fielding against some of the finest teams. Pakistan’s fielding unit can be rated above that of Bangladesh and Afghanistan. But there still are places where they lag.

Skipper Babar Azam has himself been a very active fielder on the ground. Players like Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz have also, time and again, been very prolific on the ground. Haider Ali’s speed and alertness will also be very much useful for the Men in Green.

2. Sri Lanka- 8.5/10

The Island Nation was initially supposed to host the Asia Cup, but due to the prevailing political and economic situation, that caused turmoil, the event was shifted to UAE. But amid all the tension, the Sri Lankan lineup has put up some brilliant performances.

In their series against Australia, the Sri Lankan squad emerged as a force to reckon with. They did the unimaginable when they defeated Australia by 3-2 in the ODI series. Their form in the Tests has also been brilliant of late.

Though the Asia Cup 2022 will be played in the T20I format, the players’ efforts from both red-ball and white-ball cricket will back them. Skipper Dasun Shanaka has proved to be a very fine fielder and thus his fielding techniques will as important as his captaincy skills. Even Kusal Mendis has been an active fielder in their games.

1. India- 9.5/10

All eyes will be on the Men in Blue, who have been unbeatable in the white-ball format for a long time. India faced the west Indies twice this year, before the IPL and after the IPL, and emerged victorious on both occasions. They defeated Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe in the white-ball formats and won by good margins.

While facing South Africa in the T20Is, India lost the first two games but thanks to the fielders’ brilliance, India went on to win the third and fourth games to level the series. India has a very powerful lineup and will be the team to look out for.

The most successful team at the Asia Cup- India- has an assurance till the time Ravindra Jadeja is on the field. The all-rounder can literally run miles to just cover the distance and get a catch or stop the ball. India’s fielding in the boundaries has also massively increased, which will be an added bonus.