The Asia Cup will be back with its 2023 edition on August 31, 2023. This time, it will be played until September 17, 2023, in the One-Day International (ODI) format. In the continental tournament, legends such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma Muttiah Muralitharan, and Saeed Ajmal have made it huge and are the best players.

However, there have been many players who have failed to justify their role in the massive competition played among Asian teams. As the 2023 Asia Cup rolls around, it’s time to know about players who couldn’t live upto the expectations in the history of the continental tournament.

Let's look at the worst Asia Cup XI of all time:

Imran Nazir was known for his aggressive opening batter in white-ball cricket during the 2000s. However, in his 10-year international career, he couldn’t become a regular member of Pakistan’s ODI team due to his inconsistent batting performance. The former Pakistan stalwart got a chance to play a couple of Asia Cup editions but failed to impress with his bat.

In 2000, Pakistan won its maiden Asia Cup trophy in <strong>Bangladesh</strong> and Nazir contributed only 127 runs with a half-century in four games. Playing the first game against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, he hit a half-century but in the later games, he struggled to be among the runs against quality sides India and Sri Lanka.

Nazir was part of Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign in 2004 as well. This time, the Men in Green failed to showcase their best, and for Nazir, it was a forgettable series as he could accumulate only 52 runs in four games at a strike rate of 69.33. Playing a couple of Asia Cup instalments, the right-handed batter scored only 179 runs in eight matches.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2017/04/Aamer-Sohail.jpg" alt="Aamer Sohail" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Aamer Sohail of Pakistan. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Aamer Sohail was one of the best batters of his time in international cricket. The southpaw played 156 ODIs for Pakistan from 1990 to 2000 and scored 4780 runs with five tons and 31 half-centuries. However, his Asia Cup batting records are completely embarrassing.

Back in 1995, Sohail made his Asia Cup debut against <strong>India</strong> in Sharjah. Playing his first game, he played a confident 40-run knock and helped his team beat the arch-rivals by a convincing margin of 97 runs. However, in the do-or-die game against Sri Lanka, he got dismissed on a duck, and following this innings, he never succeeded in producing effective knocks again in the Asia Cup.

In Pakistan’s unsuccessful campaign in the 1997 Asia Cup, Sohail’s failure with the bat played a huge role. Appearing in three games of the competition, he scored only seven runs. He could score only 79 runs in six matches of the Asia Cup and these numbers do not justify his stature.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2020/04/Habibul-Bashar.jpg" alt="Habibul Bashar" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Habibul Bashar. (Photo Source: FARJANA K. GODHULY/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Habibul Bashar was an integral part of the Bangladesh cricket team in the 2000s. Riding on his batting and captaincy talent, the Bangla side tasted some notable success. In ODIs, he scored 2168 runs in 105 innings of 111 matches at a strike rate of 60.45. From 2004-07, he also captained the side in ODIs and Tests.

However, his batting numbers don't justify his talent in the Asia Cup. Playing 12 games in the continental tournament from 1995 to 2004, he scored 156 runs at a strike rate of 55.12. Back in 1995, he made his first appearance in the Asia Cup and ended up amassing 16 runs in two matches.&nbsp;

In 2000, he scored 81 runs in three games and it became his best performance with the bat in the Asia Cup. Bashar appeared in the continental tournament for the last time in 2004 and he failed to do wonders with his bat again, accumulating 53 runs in five matches at a dismal average of 10.60 thereby writing his name in the worst performers list for the Asia Cup.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1692870169122_Hashan-Tillakaratne.jpeg" alt="Hashan Tillakaratne." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Hashan Tillakaratne. (Photo Source: Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Hashan Tillakaratne served Sri Lanka for 17 years from 1986-2003. In his ODI career, he played 200 matches and scored 3789 with a couple of tons and 13 fifties in 168 innings. The Colombo-born player was a part of the Sri Lanka side that won the 1996 World Cup under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga.

From 1988-95, he appeared in three Asia Cup instalments, and in all these competitions, his team ended as runners-up. Talking about his batting numbers, the left-handed batter could only score 197 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 53.38. In the 1990 Asia Cup, he chipped in with 80 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 44.69.&nbsp;

In the 1995 Asia Cup, <strong>Sri Lanka</strong> concluded their campaign as runners-up, losing to India at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. Throughout the competition, Tilakaratne played some important knocks and helped his side qualify for the final but in the massive contest, he failed to hold his nerves and played a lethargic innings of only 22 off 55.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/CT_365108.jpg" alt="Najibullah Zadran" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Najibullah Zadran. (Photo by Julian Herbert-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Najibullah Zadran has been serving <strong>Afghanistan</strong> since 2012 and currently, he is the fifth-leading run-getter for his side in ODIs with 2013 runs in 80 innings of 88 matches at a strike rate of 89.42. In 2014, Afghanistan broke into the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, and they finished in the fourth position.

Najibullah, who was a vital part of the team due to his batting, failed to be impactful. He scored only 38 runs in four matches at a horrendous strike rate of 41.75. In 2018, the tournament returned with the ODI format, and this time, Afghanistan looked more confident and made it to the Super Four.

The Afghan side also topped the group round, beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, Najibullah, who was playing for the second time in the continental tournament, put up a disappointing show with the bat. The left-handed batter got a chance to be a part of his team’s playing XI in three games and scored only 37 runs at a terrible average of 12.33, and now graces this list of worst performers in Asia Cup.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1692870336729_Ramiz-Raja.jpeg" alt="Ramiz Raja." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Ramiz Raja. (Photo Source: GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pakistan commentator and former PCB chief Ramiz Raja was an incredible player during his playing days. The veteran served Pakistan for 13 years from 1984 to 1997. In his immense career, he played 198 ODIs for Pakistan, in which he chalked up 5841 runs with nine hundreds and 31 half-centuries.&nbsp;

Raja was an excellent player in ODIs and his 1992 World Cup batting numbers corroborate this fact. However, in the Asia Cup, he couldn’t produce impactful knocks from his bat. The right-handed batter could pile up only 160 runs in nine innings of nine matches at an abysmal average of 17.77. &nbsp;

In the 1988 Asia Cup, Pakistan put up a disappointing show against India and Sri Lanka and ended their journey without playing the final in Dhaka. Raja, who was playing as an opener, failed to fulfil his responsibility efficiently. He scored only 46 runs for his side in three matches at a strike rate of 53.48.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Sarfaraz-Ahmed-2.jpg" alt="Sarfaraz Ahmed" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Sarfaraz Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/sarfaraz-ahmed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarfaraz Ahmed</a> didn’t feature in Pakistan’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023. In the 2018 edition, when the continental tournament was last played in the ODI format, Sarfaraz was leading the side as a skipper. However, he failed as captain and batter which resulted in Pakistan ending their campaign in the Super Four stage.

Playing five games in the competition, the wicketkeeper batter could rack up only 68 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 70.10. Earlier in 2008, Sarfaraz made his Asia Cup debut against Hong Kong in Karachi. He got five games in the tournament but couldn’t grab the opportunity with both hands, scoring only 26 runs in two innings at an average of 13.00.

Sarfaraz’s overall Asia Cup record is also unimpressive as he has accumulated only 159 runs in eight innings of 13 games at an average of 26.50. Talking about his captaincy record, <strong>Pakistan</strong> failed under him in the 2018 edition, losing to India twice and Bangladesh in the competition.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2021/11/Shadab-Khan.jpg" alt="Shadab Khan" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Shadab Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Shadab Khan will be seen spearheading Pakistan’s spin attack in the upcoming Asia Cup. The leg-break bowler’s role will be crucial for Pakistan’s campaign in the marquee event. However, Shadab’s record is not at all satisfactory in the continental tournament.

In the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup, Pakistan performed horrendously and ended their journey in the Super Four round after losing to India and Bangladesh. Shadab, who played four matches in the competition, struggled as an all-rounder. With the ball, he got only four wickets and splurged runs at an economy of 5.20.

While as a batter, he scored only 22 runs in three innings. Along with him, several other players failed to do their jobs efficiently but Shadab, who is known for his disciplined spin bowling, was expected to create an impact for the Men in Green in the competition.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/CT_349640.jpg" alt="Mohammad Amir " loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Mohammad Amir. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/mohammad-amir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mohammad Amir</a> played 61 ODIs for Pakistan from 2009-19 and during this period, he clinched 81 wickets at a superb economy of 4.77. Since the beginning of his career, Amir was known for his tight bowling. His ability to bowl inswingers made it difficult for batters to pick up in white-ball cricket.

However, Amir, who used to give headaches to batters with his disciplined pace bowling, holds a dismal record in the Asia Cup. The veteran speedster took only two wickets in five matches he played in the continental tournament. In the 2010 Asia Cup, he picked up two batters in a couple of outings.

In 2018, he got three games from the Pakistan team management and captain <strong>Sarfaraz Ahmed</strong> but failed to bring cheers to the faces of his team’s fans. As the leader of the Pakistan pace attack, Amir looked completely out of rhythm and ended his campaign as wicketless forcing himself to be included in worst performers list in the Asia Cup.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2015/02/Shafiul-Islam-Bangladesh.jpg" alt="Shafiul Islam" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" data-quillbot-element="faawLqeyO8R05d2ERvxVk">The ICC grants Bangladesh permission to get Shafiul Islam in for Al-Amin Hossain. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>

Shafiul Islam is mostly remembered for taking Bangladesh home against England with his unbeaten knock of 24 in the 2011 World Cup. Apart from this pleasant memory, Bangladesh cricket supporters also remember his bowling contribution to their team.

In January 2010, he broke into international cricket, and later in June of that year, he also got a chance to represent his team in the Asia Cup 2010. Appearing in three games of the competition, he claimed five wickets and ended up as the joint-leading wicket-taker for his side alongside Shakib Al Hasan. However, his expensive economy of 6.92 in the competition caused damage to Bangladesh.&nbsp;

In 2012, Bangladesh qualified for the final for the first time in the history of the Asia Cup but the pacer’s performance wasn’t impressive. Getting two matches in the competition, he got only one wicket at an economy of 5.61. Talking about his overall record in the Asia Cup, he has notched up only six wickets in six games of three Asia Cup editions (2010, 2012, and 2014) at a sub-par economy of 6.86.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1670403493156_Shahadat-Hossain-vs-Zimbabwe-in-2006-at-Harare-Sports-Club-Ground-in-Harare.jpeg" alt="Shahadat Hossain vs Zimbabwe in 2006 at Harare Sports Club Ground in Harare" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false">Shahadat Hossain vs Zimbabwe in 2006 at Harare Sports Club Ground in Harare. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Shahadat Hossain was active in the Bangladesh team from 2005 to 2015. His ODI career kicked off in 2006 and after March 2013, he never got a chance to make it to the Bangladesh ODI team. In his seven-year one-day career, Hossain played 51 matches and took 47 wickets at an economy of 5.84.

The speedster also played in a couple of Asia Cup instalments (2008 and 2012) during those seven years. However, his bowling numbers are embarrassing in the continental tournament as he took only 10 wickets in nine matches at a miserable economy of 6.87. In 2008, he became the leading wicket-taker for the Bangla side with six wickets in five matches but his economy of &nbsp;6.66 made him the most-expensive bowler in the side.

In 2012, he got a chance to represent Bangladesh again in the Asia Cup. However, his performance got worse this time. Playing four matches in the 2012 edition, he got only four wickets at an economy of 7.08. In the final match against <strong>Pakistan</strong> in Mirpur, all Bangladesh bowlers put up a disciplined show with the ball but Shahadat went wicketless and also splurged runs at an economy of 7.00. &nbsp;

<p>The Asia Cup will be back with its 2023 edition on August 31, 2023. This time, it will be played until September 17, 2023, in the One-Day International (ODI) format. In the continental tournament, legends such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma Muttiah Muralitharan, and Saeed Ajmal have made it huge and are the best players.</p>
<p>However, there have been many players who have failed to justify their role in the massive competition played among Asian teams. As the 2023 Asia Cup rolls around, it’s time to know about players who couldn’t live upto the expectations in the history of the continental tournament.</p>
<h3>Let's look at the worst Asia Cup XI of all time:</h3>
<h3>1. Imran Nazir</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Imran-Nazir.jpg" alt="Imran Nazir" width="600" height="404" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></figure>
<p>Imran Nazir was known for his aggressive opening batter in white-ball cricket during the 2000s. However, in his 10-year international career, he couldn’t become a regular member of Pakistan’s ODI team due to his inconsistent batting performance. The former Pakistan stalwart got a chance to play a couple of Asia Cup editions but failed to impress with his bat.</p>
<p>In 2000, Pakistan won its maiden Asia Cup trophy in <strong>Bangladesh</strong> and Nazir contributed only 127 runs with a half-century in four games. Playing the first game against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, he hit a half-century but in the later games, he struggled to be among the runs against quality sides India and Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>Nazir was part of Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign in 2004 as well. This time, the Men in Green failed to showcase their best, and for Nazir, it was a forgettable series as he could accumulate only 52 runs in four games at a strike rate of 69.33. Playing a couple of Asia Cup instalments, the right-handed batter scored only 179 runs in eight matches.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Aamer Sohail</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2017/04/Aamer-Sohail.jpg" alt="Aamer Sohail" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Aamer Sohail of Pakistan. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Aamer Sohail was one of the best batters of his time in international cricket. The southpaw played 156 ODIs for Pakistan from 1990 to 2000 and scored 4780 runs with five tons and 31 half-centuries. However, his Asia Cup batting records are completely embarrassing.</p>
<p>Back in 1995, Sohail made his Asia Cup debut against <strong>India</strong> in Sharjah. Playing his first game, he played a confident 40-run knock and helped his team beat the arch-rivals by a convincing margin of 97 runs. However, in the do-or-die game against Sri Lanka, he got dismissed on a duck, and following this innings, he never succeeded in producing effective knocks again in the Asia Cup.</p>
<p>In Pakistan’s unsuccessful campaign in the 1997 Asia Cup, Sohail’s failure with the bat played a huge role. Appearing in three games of the competition, he scored only seven runs. He could score only 79 runs in six matches of the Asia Cup and these numbers do not justify his stature.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Habibul Bashar</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2020/04/Habibul-Bashar.jpg" alt="Habibul Bashar" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Habibul Bashar. (Photo Source: FARJANA K. GODHULY/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Habibul Bashar was an integral part of the Bangladesh cricket team in the 2000s. Riding on his batting and captaincy talent, the Bangla side tasted some notable success. In ODIs, he scored 2168 runs in 105 innings of 111 matches at a strike rate of 60.45. From 2004-07, he also captained the side in ODIs and Tests.</p>
<p>However, his batting numbers don't justify his talent in the Asia Cup. Playing 12 games in the continental tournament from 1995 to 2004, he scored 156 runs at a strike rate of 55.12. Back in 1995, he made his first appearance in the Asia Cup and ended up amassing 16 runs in two matches.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 2000, he scored 81 runs in three games and it became his best performance with the bat in the Asia Cup. Bashar appeared in the continental tournament for the last time in 2004 and he failed to do wonders with his bat again, accumulating 53 runs in five matches at a dismal average of 10.60 thereby writing his name in the worst performers list for the Asia Cup.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Hashan Tillakaratne</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1692870169122_Hashan-Tillakaratne.jpeg" alt="Hashan Tillakaratne." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Hashan Tillakaratne. (Photo Source: Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hashan Tillakaratne served Sri Lanka for 17 years from 1986-2003. In his ODI career, he played 200 matches and scored 3789 with a couple of tons and 13 fifties in 168 innings. The Colombo-born player was a part of the Sri Lanka side that won the 1996 World Cup under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga.</p>
<p>From 1988-95, he appeared in three Asia Cup instalments, and in all these competitions, his team ended as runners-up. Talking about his batting numbers, the left-handed batter could only score 197 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 53.38. In the 1990 Asia Cup, he chipped in with 80 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 44.69.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the 1995 Asia Cup, <strong>Sri Lanka</strong> concluded their campaign as runners-up, losing to India at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. Throughout the competition, Tilakaratne played some important knocks and helped his side qualify for the final but in the massive contest, he failed to hold his nerves and played a lethargic innings of only 22 off 55.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>5. Najibullah Zadran</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/CT_365108.jpg" alt="Najibullah Zadran" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Najibullah Zadran. (Photo by Julian Herbert-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Najibullah Zadran has been serving <strong>Afghanistan</strong> since 2012 and currently, he is the fifth-leading run-getter for his side in ODIs with 2013 runs in 80 innings of 88 matches at a strike rate of 89.42. In 2014, Afghanistan broke into the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, and they finished in the fourth position.</p>
<p>Najibullah, who was a vital part of the team due to his batting, failed to be impactful. He scored only 38 runs in four matches at a horrendous strike rate of 41.75. In 2018, the tournament returned with the ODI format, and this time, Afghanistan looked more confident and made it to the Super Four.</p>
<p>The Afghan side also topped the group round, beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, Najibullah, who was playing for the second time in the continental tournament, put up a disappointing show with the bat. The left-handed batter got a chance to be a part of his team’s playing XI in three games and scored only 37 runs at a terrible average of 12.33, and now graces this list of worst performers in Asia Cup.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>6. Ramiz Raja</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1692870336729_Ramiz-Raja.jpeg" alt="Ramiz Raja." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Ramiz Raja. (Photo Source: GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Pakistan commentator and former PCB chief Ramiz Raja was an incredible player during his playing days. The veteran served Pakistan for 13 years from 1984 to 1997. In his immense career, he played 198 ODIs for Pakistan, in which he chalked up 5841 runs with nine hundreds and 31 half-centuries.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Raja was an excellent player in ODIs and his 1992 World Cup batting numbers corroborate this fact. However, in the Asia Cup, he couldn’t produce impactful knocks from his bat. The right-handed batter could pile up only 160 runs in nine innings of nine matches at an abysmal average of 17.77. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In the 1988 Asia Cup, Pakistan put up a disappointing show against India and Sri Lanka and ended their journey without playing the final in Dhaka. Raja, who was playing as an opener, failed to fulfil his responsibility efficiently. He scored only 46 runs for his side in three matches at a strike rate of 53.48.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>7. Sarfaraz Ahmed (c) &amp; (wk)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Sarfaraz-Ahmed-2.jpg" alt="Sarfaraz Ahmed" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Sarfaraz Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/sarfaraz-ahmed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarfaraz Ahmed</a> didn’t feature in Pakistan’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023. In the 2018 edition, when the continental tournament was last played in the ODI format, Sarfaraz was leading the side as a skipper. However, he failed as captain and batter which resulted in Pakistan ending their campaign in the Super Four stage.</p>
<p>Playing five games in the competition, the wicketkeeper batter could rack up only 68 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 70.10. Earlier in 2008, Sarfaraz made his Asia Cup debut against Hong Kong in Karachi. He got five games in the tournament but couldn’t grab the opportunity with both hands, scoring only 26 runs in two innings at an average of 13.00.</p>
<p>Sarfaraz’s overall Asia Cup record is also unimpressive as he has accumulated only 159 runs in eight innings of 13 games at an average of 26.50. Talking about his captaincy record, <strong>Pakistan</strong> failed under him in the 2018 edition, losing to India twice and Bangladesh in the competition.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>8. Shadab Khan</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2021/11/Shadab-Khan.jpg" alt="Shadab Khan" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Shadab Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Shadab Khan will be seen spearheading Pakistan’s spin attack in the upcoming Asia Cup. The leg-break bowler’s role will be crucial for Pakistan’s campaign in the marquee event. However, Shadab’s record is not at all satisfactory in the continental tournament.</p>
<p>In the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup, Pakistan performed horrendously and ended their journey in the Super Four round after losing to India and Bangladesh. Shadab, who played four matches in the competition, struggled as an all-rounder. With the ball, he got only four wickets and splurged runs at an economy of 5.20.</p>
<p>While as a batter, he scored only 22 runs in three innings. Along with him, several other players failed to do their jobs efficiently but Shadab, who is known for his disciplined spin bowling, was expected to create an impact for the Men in Green in the competition.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>&nbsp;9. Mohammad Amir</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/CT_349640.jpg" alt="Mohammad Amir " width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Mohammad Amir. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/mohammad-amir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mohammad Amir</a> played 61 ODIs for Pakistan from 2009-19 and during this period, he clinched 81 wickets at a superb economy of 4.77. Since the beginning of his career, Amir was known for his tight bowling. His ability to bowl inswingers made it difficult for batters to pick up in white-ball cricket.</p>
<p>However, Amir, who used to give headaches to batters with his disciplined pace bowling, holds a dismal record in the Asia Cup. The veteran speedster took only two wickets in five matches he played in the continental tournament. In the 2010 Asia Cup, he picked up two batters in a couple of outings.</p>
<p>In 2018, he got three games from the Pakistan team management and captain <strong>Sarfaraz Ahmed</strong> but failed to bring cheers to the faces of his team’s fans. As the leader of the Pakistan pace attack, Amir looked completely out of rhythm and ended his campaign as wicketless forcing himself to be included in worst performers list in the Asia Cup.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>10. Shafiul Islam</h3>
<figure class="image align-center" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2015/02/Shafiul-Islam-Bangladesh.jpg" alt="Shafiul Islam" width="738" height="511" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false" data-quillbot-element="faawLqeyO8R05d2ERvxVk">The ICC grants Bangladesh permission to get Shafiul Islam in for Al-Amin Hossain. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Shafiul Islam is mostly remembered for taking Bangladesh home against England with his unbeaten knock of 24 in the 2011 World Cup. Apart from this pleasant memory, Bangladesh cricket supporters also remember his bowling contribution to their team.</p>
<p>In January 2010, he broke into international cricket, and later in June of that year, he also got a chance to represent his team in the Asia Cup 2010. Appearing in three games of the competition, he claimed five wickets and ended up as the joint-leading wicket-taker for his side alongside Shakib Al Hasan. However, his expensive economy of 6.92 in the competition caused damage to Bangladesh.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 2012, Bangladesh qualified for the final for the first time in the history of the Asia Cup but the pacer’s performance wasn’t impressive. Getting two matches in the competition, he got only one wicket at an economy of 5.61. Talking about his overall record in the Asia Cup, he has notched up only six wickets in six games of three Asia Cup editions (2010, 2012, and 2014) at a sub-par economy of 6.86.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>11. Shahadat Hossain</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1670403493156_Shahadat-Hossain-vs-Zimbabwe-in-2006-at-Harare-Sports-Club-Ground-in-Harare.jpeg" alt="Shahadat Hossain vs Zimbabwe in 2006 at Harare Sports Club Ground in Harare" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Shahadat Hossain vs Zimbabwe in 2006 at Harare Sports Club Ground in Harare. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Shahadat Hossain was active in the Bangladesh team from 2005 to 2015. His ODI career kicked off in 2006 and after March 2013, he never got a chance to make it to the Bangladesh ODI team. In his seven-year one-day career, Hossain played 51 matches and took 47 wickets at an economy of 5.84.</p>
<p>The speedster also played in a couple of Asia Cup instalments (2008 and 2012) during those seven years. However, his bowling numbers are embarrassing in the continental tournament as he took only 10 wickets in nine matches at a miserable economy of 6.87. In 2008, he became the leading wicket-taker for the Bangla side with six wickets in five matches but his economy of &nbsp;6.66 made him the most-expensive bowler in the side.</p>
<p>In 2012, he got a chance to represent Bangladesh again in the Asia Cup. However, his performance got worse this time. Playing four matches in the 2012 edition, he got only four wickets at an economy of 7.08. In the final match against <strong>Pakistan</strong> in Mirpur, all Bangladesh bowlers put up a disciplined show with the ball but Shahadat went wicketless and also splurged runs at an economy of 7.00. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Asia Cup will be back with its 2023 edition on August 31, 2023. This time, it will be played until September 17, 2023, in the One-Day International (ODI) format. In the continental tournament, legends such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma Muttiah Muralitharan, and Saeed Ajmal have made it huge and are the best players.</p>
<p>However, there have been many players who have failed to justify their role in the massive competition played among Asian teams. As the 2023 Asia Cup rolls around, it’s time to know about players who couldn’t live upto the expectations in the history of the continental tournament.</p>
<h3>Let's look at the worst Asia Cup XI of all time:</h3>
<h3>1. Imran Nazir</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Imran-Nazir.jpg" alt="Imran Nazir" loading="lazy"></figure>
<p>Imran Nazir was known for his aggressive opening batter in white-ball cricket during the 2000s. However, in his 10-year international career, he couldn’t become a regular member of Pakistan’s ODI team due to his inconsistent batting performance. The former Pakistan stalwart got a chance to play a couple of Asia Cup editions but failed to impress with his bat.</p>
<p>In 2000, Pakistan won its maiden Asia Cup trophy in <strong>Bangladesh</strong> and Nazir contributed only 127 runs with a half-century in four games. Playing the first game against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, he hit a half-century but in the later games, he struggled to be among the runs against quality sides India and Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>Nazir was part of Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign in 2004 as well. This time, the Men in Green failed to showcase their best, and for Nazir, it was a forgettable series as he could accumulate only 52 runs in four games at a strike rate of 69.33. Playing a couple of Asia Cup instalments, the right-handed batter scored only 179 runs in eight matches.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>2. Aamer Sohail</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2017/04/Aamer-Sohail.jpg" alt="Aamer Sohail" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Aamer Sohail of Pakistan. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Aamer Sohail was one of the best batters of his time in international cricket. The southpaw played 156 ODIs for Pakistan from 1990 to 2000 and scored 4780 runs with five tons and 31 half-centuries. However, his Asia Cup batting records are completely embarrassing.</p>
<p>Back in 1995, Sohail made his Asia Cup debut against <strong>India</strong> in Sharjah. Playing his first game, he played a confident 40-run knock and helped his team beat the arch-rivals by a convincing margin of 97 runs. However, in the do-or-die game against Sri Lanka, he got dismissed on a duck, and following this innings, he never succeeded in producing effective knocks again in the Asia Cup.</p>
<p>In Pakistan’s unsuccessful campaign in the 1997 Asia Cup, Sohail’s failure with the bat played a huge role. Appearing in three games of the competition, he scored only seven runs. He could score only 79 runs in six matches of the Asia Cup and these numbers do not justify his stature.</p>
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<h3>3. Habibul Bashar</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2020/04/Habibul-Bashar.jpg" alt="Habibul Bashar" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Habibul Bashar. (Photo Source: FARJANA K. GODHULY/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Habibul Bashar was an integral part of the Bangladesh cricket team in the 2000s. Riding on his batting and captaincy talent, the Bangla side tasted some notable success. In ODIs, he scored 2168 runs in 105 innings of 111 matches at a strike rate of 60.45. From 2004-07, he also captained the side in ODIs and Tests.</p>
<p>However, his batting numbers don't justify his talent in the Asia Cup. Playing 12 games in the continental tournament from 1995 to 2004, he scored 156 runs at a strike rate of 55.12. Back in 1995, he made his first appearance in the Asia Cup and ended up amassing 16 runs in two matches.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 2000, he scored 81 runs in three games and it became his best performance with the bat in the Asia Cup. Bashar appeared in the continental tournament for the last time in 2004 and he failed to do wonders with his bat again, accumulating 53 runs in five matches at a dismal average of 10.60 thereby writing his name in the worst performers list for the Asia Cup.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>4. Hashan Tillakaratne</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1692870169122_Hashan-Tillakaratne.jpeg" alt="Hashan Tillakaratne." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Hashan Tillakaratne. (Photo Source: Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Hashan Tillakaratne served Sri Lanka for 17 years from 1986-2003. In his ODI career, he played 200 matches and scored 3789 with a couple of tons and 13 fifties in 168 innings. The Colombo-born player was a part of the Sri Lanka side that won the 1996 World Cup under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga.</p>
<p>From 1988-95, he appeared in three Asia Cup instalments, and in all these competitions, his team ended as runners-up. Talking about his batting numbers, the left-handed batter could only score 197 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 53.38. In the 1990 Asia Cup, he chipped in with 80 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 44.69.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the 1995 Asia Cup, <strong>Sri Lanka</strong> concluded their campaign as runners-up, losing to India at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. Throughout the competition, Tilakaratne played some important knocks and helped his side qualify for the final but in the massive contest, he failed to hold his nerves and played a lethargic innings of only 22 off 55.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>5. Najibullah Zadran</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/CT_365108.jpg" alt="Najibullah Zadran" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Najibullah Zadran. (Photo by Julian Herbert-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Najibullah Zadran has been serving <strong>Afghanistan</strong> since 2012 and currently, he is the fifth-leading run-getter for his side in ODIs with 2013 runs in 80 innings of 88 matches at a strike rate of 89.42. In 2014, Afghanistan broke into the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, and they finished in the fourth position.</p>
<p>Najibullah, who was a vital part of the team due to his batting, failed to be impactful. He scored only 38 runs in four matches at a horrendous strike rate of 41.75. In 2018, the tournament returned with the ODI format, and this time, Afghanistan looked more confident and made it to the Super Four.</p>
<p>The Afghan side also topped the group round, beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, Najibullah, who was playing for the second time in the continental tournament, put up a disappointing show with the bat. The left-handed batter got a chance to be a part of his team’s playing XI in three games and scored only 37 runs at a terrible average of 12.33, and now graces this list of worst performers in Asia Cup.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>6. Ramiz Raja</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1692870336729_Ramiz-Raja.jpeg" alt="Ramiz Raja." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Ramiz Raja. (Photo Source: GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p>Pakistan commentator and former PCB chief Ramiz Raja was an incredible player during his playing days. The veteran served Pakistan for 13 years from 1984 to 1997. In his immense career, he played 198 ODIs for Pakistan, in which he chalked up 5841 runs with nine hundreds and 31 half-centuries.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Raja was an excellent player in ODIs and his 1992 World Cup batting numbers corroborate this fact. However, in the Asia Cup, he couldn’t produce impactful knocks from his bat. The right-handed batter could pile up only 160 runs in nine innings of nine matches at an abysmal average of 17.77. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In the 1988 Asia Cup, Pakistan put up a disappointing show against India and Sri Lanka and ended their journey without playing the final in Dhaka. Raja, who was playing as an opener, failed to fulfil his responsibility efficiently. He scored only 46 runs for his side in three matches at a strike rate of 53.48.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>7. Sarfaraz Ahmed (c) &amp; (wk)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Sarfaraz-Ahmed-2.jpg" alt="Sarfaraz Ahmed" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Sarfaraz Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
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<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/sarfaraz-ahmed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarfaraz Ahmed</a> didn’t feature in Pakistan’s 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023. In the 2018 edition, when the continental tournament was last played in the ODI format, Sarfaraz was leading the side as a skipper. However, he failed as captain and batter which resulted in Pakistan ending their campaign in the Super Four stage.</p>
<p>Playing five games in the competition, the wicketkeeper batter could rack up only 68 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 70.10. Earlier in 2008, Sarfaraz made his Asia Cup debut against Hong Kong in Karachi. He got five games in the tournament but couldn’t grab the opportunity with both hands, scoring only 26 runs in two innings at an average of 13.00.</p>
<p>Sarfaraz’s overall Asia Cup record is also unimpressive as he has accumulated only 159 runs in eight innings of 13 games at an average of 26.50. Talking about his captaincy record, <strong>Pakistan</strong> failed under him in the 2018 edition, losing to India twice and Bangladesh in the competition.</p>
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<h3>8. Shadab Khan</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2021/11/Shadab-Khan.jpg" alt="Shadab Khan" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Shadab Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
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<p>Shadab Khan will be seen spearheading Pakistan’s spin attack in the upcoming Asia Cup. The leg-break bowler’s role will be crucial for Pakistan’s campaign in the marquee event. However, Shadab’s record is not at all satisfactory in the continental tournament.</p>
<p>In the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup, Pakistan performed horrendously and ended their journey in the Super Four round after losing to India and Bangladesh. Shadab, who played four matches in the competition, struggled as an all-rounder. With the ball, he got only four wickets and splurged runs at an economy of 5.20.</p>
<p>While as a batter, he scored only 22 runs in three innings. Along with him, several other players failed to do their jobs efficiently but Shadab, who is known for his disciplined spin bowling, was expected to create an impact for the Men in Green in the competition.</p>
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<h3>&nbsp;9. Mohammad Amir</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/CT_349640.jpg" alt="Mohammad Amir " loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Mohammad Amir. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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<p><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/mohammad-amir" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mohammad Amir</a> played 61 ODIs for Pakistan from 2009-19 and during this period, he clinched 81 wickets at a superb economy of 4.77. Since the beginning of his career, Amir was known for his tight bowling. His ability to bowl inswingers made it difficult for batters to pick up in white-ball cricket.</p>
<p>However, Amir, who used to give headaches to batters with his disciplined pace bowling, holds a dismal record in the Asia Cup. The veteran speedster took only two wickets in five matches he played in the continental tournament. In the 2010 Asia Cup, he picked up two batters in a couple of outings.</p>
<p>In 2018, he got three games from the Pakistan team management and captain <strong>Sarfaraz Ahmed</strong> but failed to bring cheers to the faces of his team’s fans. As the leader of the Pakistan pace attack, Amir looked completely out of rhythm and ended his campaign as wicketless forcing himself to be included in worst performers list in the Asia Cup.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>10. Shafiul Islam</h3>
<figure class="image align-center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2015/02/Shafiul-Islam-Bangladesh.jpg" alt="Shafiul Islam" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" data-quillbot-element="faawLqeyO8R05d2ERvxVk">The ICC grants Bangladesh permission to get Shafiul Islam in for Al-Amin Hossain. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>
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<p>Shafiul Islam is mostly remembered for taking Bangladesh home against England with his unbeaten knock of 24 in the 2011 World Cup. Apart from this pleasant memory, Bangladesh cricket supporters also remember his bowling contribution to their team.</p>
<p>In January 2010, he broke into international cricket, and later in June of that year, he also got a chance to represent his team in the Asia Cup 2010. Appearing in three games of the competition, he claimed five wickets and ended up as the joint-leading wicket-taker for his side alongside Shakib Al Hasan. However, his expensive economy of 6.92 in the competition caused damage to Bangladesh.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 2012, Bangladesh qualified for the final for the first time in the history of the Asia Cup but the pacer’s performance wasn’t impressive. Getting two matches in the competition, he got only one wicket at an economy of 5.61. Talking about his overall record in the Asia Cup, he has notched up only six wickets in six games of three Asia Cup editions (2010, 2012, and 2014) at a sub-par economy of 6.86.</p>
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<h3>11. Shahadat Hossain</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1670403493156_Shahadat-Hossain-vs-Zimbabwe-in-2006-at-Harare-Sports-Club-Ground-in-Harare.jpeg" alt="Shahadat Hossain vs Zimbabwe in 2006 at Harare Sports Club Ground in Harare" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Shahadat Hossain vs Zimbabwe in 2006 at Harare Sports Club Ground in Harare. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
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<p>Shahadat Hossain was active in the Bangladesh team from 2005 to 2015. His ODI career kicked off in 2006 and after March 2013, he never got a chance to make it to the Bangladesh ODI team. In his seven-year one-day career, Hossain played 51 matches and took 47 wickets at an economy of 5.84.</p>
<p>The speedster also played in a couple of Asia Cup instalments (2008 and 2012) during those seven years. However, his bowling numbers are embarrassing in the continental tournament as he took only 10 wickets in nine matches at a miserable economy of 6.87. In 2008, he became the leading wicket-taker for the Bangla side with six wickets in five matches but his economy of &nbsp;6.66 made him the most-expensive bowler in the side.</p>
<p>In 2012, he got a chance to represent Bangladesh again in the Asia Cup. However, his performance got worse this time. Playing four matches in the 2012 edition, he got only four wickets at an economy of 7.08. In the final match against <strong>Pakistan</strong> in Mirpur, all Bangladesh bowlers put up a disciplined show with the ball but Shahadat went wicketless and also splurged runs at an economy of 7.00. &nbsp;</p>

The Asia Cup will be back with its 2023 edition on August 31, 2023. This time, it will be played until September 17, 2023, in the One-Day International (ODI) format. In the continental tournament, leg

Worst Asia Cup XI of all time

There have been players who have failed to justify their role in the massive competition played among Asian teams

Asia Cup: Worst XI of all time

Worst XI in Asia Cup: Check out the list of cricketers who are excellent players but consistently underperformed and failed to live up to expectations.