Harsha Bhogle names his best XI of Asia Cup 2022, Virat Kohli included

The 15th edition of the Asia Cup is nearing its conclusion with the final between Sri Lankan and Pakistan set to be played at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 11th of September. The tournament has seen some high-quality performances from individuals of all the participating teams, and Indian commentator and cricket expert Harsha Bhogle picked his best XI for the tournament.

Bhogle went with Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) as openers of the side. The Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter has been one of the stand-out performers of the tournament and has been one of the driving forces behind Pakistan's run through to the finals this year. He has batted with added responsibility as skipper Babar Azam has struggled for runs in the tournament.

While speaking to Cricbuzz, the cricket expert went with the mercurial Indian batting ace Virat Kohli at number three, who is the leading run-getter of the tournament. Although India had a disappointing campaign in the Asia Cup,  Kohli's runs have given a boost to the team with the T20 World Cup in sight. Najibullah Zadran found a place on the team after a string of solid performances for the Afghans in the middle order.

The lower-middle order and all-rounder contingent was dominated by the two finalists as Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanaka were put in at five and six by Bhogle. The Sri Lankan pair have been instrumental in the team's progress in the last couple of games, stitching a match-winning partnership against the defending champions India in a crunch game.

Pakistan's Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz have been two of the most economical spinners in the tournament and have also chipped in with crucial wickets. They are no mug with the bat either as the pair have contributed with decisive innings in a couple of nail-biting encounters in the Super 4 stage of the tournament.

Coming to the pacers, Harsha went with the veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with two young guns Naseem Shah (Pakistan) and Dilshan Madhushanka (Sri Lanka).

Harsha Bhogle's Asia Cup 2022 XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Virat Kohli, Najibullah Zadran, Bhanuka Rajpaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Naseem Shah, Dilshan Madhushanka