Watch: Asian cricket fans are ready for the Asia Cup T20 2016

It seems as though the buildup to the 2016 edition of the Asia Cup T20 has begun. With the best in Asia ready to face each other in Bangladesh, everyone is gearing up to Asia’s premier tournament. The excitement and euphoria have begun with Star Sports releasing a promo video to commemorate the start of the Asian tournament.

The advent of franchise T20 tournaments has gone on to take the shortest version of the game to new heights. However, apart from the cricket, franchise cricket has gone on to create a friendly atmosphere between players, even from rival countries. The friendship between Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen is a perfect example of the aforementioned statement.

Star Sports’ advertisement in their buildup to the Asia Cup, has worked on the same concept. Here, a fictional team, the ‘Southall Panthers’, made up primarily of players from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka take on the ‘Derbyshire Warriors’. The fielding innings shows the players from Asian rival countries and their team spirit.

However, when the announcement is made that the Asia cup will indeed start on the 24^th of February, the team spirit is thrown out the window almost instantly. The players remove their Panthers’ jersey to begin sporting their respective countries.

The Asia Cup 2016 T20 that is expected to begin on the 24^th of February proves to be a fantastic contest between the best of Asian cricketers. The tournament is scheduled to be played in Bangladesh and is also expected to be a preview to the world cup starting on the 8^th of March in India.

Watch: Asian cricket fans are ready for the Asia Cup T20 2016:

Neighbourly friendliness will be cast aside and hostilities will resume in the upcoming Asia Cup T20!https://t.co/ACRKnyf1np

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 11, 2016