(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Asia Cup 2025: Top Players to Watch as UAE Hosts T20 Showpiece from September 9
September 5, 2025
The wait is almost over — the Asia Cup 2025 kicks off in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 9, bringing together eight teams in the exciting T20 format. Matches will be played across Dubai and Abu Dhabi until September 28, with fans eagerly awaiting blockbuster encounters, including the potential Pakistan vs. India clash.
Defending champions Sri Lanka, who beat Pakistan in the 2022 final, will be aiming to hold on to their crown. But with a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising stars, every team has players who can light up the tournament. Here are the key players to watch:
⭐ Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan)
Pakistan’s new skipper Salman Ali Agha will be making his Asia Cup captaincy debut. Batting at the vital No. 4 spot, he brings stability and finishing power. With more than 450 runs at a strike rate of 118, his leadership and all-round skills will be crucial for Pakistan’s campaign.
⭐ Axar Patel (India)
India’s Axar Patel has proven himself as a reliable all-rounder. A hero of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, he combines sharp spin bowling with aggressive middle-order batting. With 71 T20I wickets and a batting strike rate of 140, he is expected to thrive in UAE’s spin-friendly conditions.
⭐ AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)
At just 19 years old, Afghan spinner AM Ghazanfar is already being tipped as a future star. Despite limited T20I experience, he has two ODI five-wicket hauls and a $570,000 IPL contract to his name. His return from injury could give Afghanistan the edge.
⭐ Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’s talisman Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the world’s premier T20 bowlers. After leading Sri Lanka to victory in the 2022 Asia Cup final, he is back to trouble batters on UAE’s low-bounce pitches. With 38 T20I wickets in 2024 alone, he will be key to Sri Lanka’s title defense.
⭐ Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain is a young leg-spinner who impressed in the 2024 T20 World Cup, taking 14 wickets in seven games. His knack for breakthroughs and pressure bowling makes him Bangladesh’s biggest hope for success in the Asia Cup.
⭐ Muhammad Waseem (UAE)
Home captain Muhammad Waseem has already made history by hitting the most sixes by a T20I captain, surpassing Rohit Sharma. With nearly 2,900 T20I runs at a strike rate of 156, his explosive batting could give UAE a dream run on home soil.
⭐ Jatinder Singh (Oman)
Leading Oman in their Asia Cup debut, Jatinder Singh brings valuable experience. With more than 1,300 T20I runs, his composure at the top order will be vital if Oman is to spring surprises against bigger teams.
⭐ Babar Hayat (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong’s vice-captain Babar Hayat remains one of the most dangerous hitters in associate cricket. He is one of just two players to score a century in Asia Cup T20 history and has over 2,200 T20I runs at a strike rate above 130.
🏆 The Road Ahead
With every team boasting game-changers, the Asia Cup 2025 promises thrilling contests, unforgettable rivalries, and a perfect stage for rising stars ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Cricket fans across the world will be glued to their screens as the battle for Asian supremacy begins in the UAE.
