Asia Cup 2018: Five Players Who Might Retire After Edition 14

Team India is currently having a torrid time in the ongoing five-match Test series in England. However, they have played quite well in the limited-overs format even in overseas conditions. Some of the white-ball players who have been an integral part of the squad once upon a time are finding it hard to break into the national team. However, they could retire following the culmination of teh Asia Cup 2018 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It has also been the case with some other Asian players coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively.

India will directly fly to the UAE following the completion of the Test series in England where the Asian giants will compete in the 14th edition of the Asia Cup 2018.

Moreover, six teams will be participating in the much-awaited competition.

Now without wasting any time let us have a look at four such players who might retire after the tournament.

Yuvraj Singh:

The left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh has been out of the national selection radar for a long time. He last played a One-day International against the Windies last year. It was during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 when he played a good knock against arch-rivals Pakistan

However, he was not consistent at all and never managed to score enough runs to cement his place in the side. The southpaw was part of the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) squad in the Indian Premier League.

However, he didn’t manage to score anything substantial. In all likelihood, he won’t be part of the Indian squad for the Asia Cup. Hence he might decide to call it quits after the competition.

Harbhajan Singh:

The veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is currently enjoying his stint as a commentator in England. However, he still hopes of making a comeback to the national team. He hasn’t retired yet and was impressive in the IPL.

For the first time, he played for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and fared reasonably well.

The ace off-spinner has been a champion bowler for India overs and is the second highest wicket-taker for India in the longest format after Anil Kumble as a spinner.

With the emergence of players like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, even Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are failing to find a spot in the national team.

Additionally, there is a possibility that he might decide to retire after the Asia Cup.

Lasith Malinga:

Veteran Lasith Malinga is one of the finest limited-overs bowlers the world has seen. He has been around the national team for a decade and a half.

Known for his interesting action, he has been a champion bowler for Sri Lanka over the years.

However, with age, his efficiency and accuracy have gone down considerably. Hence he is not getting picked in the national side in the recent times.

Moreover, the bowler remains the only bowler to bag four wickets in four balls. Malinga achieved the feat back in the 2007 World Cup. Given his current age and prospects, he might well decide to call it quits following the Asia Cup 2018.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza:

The Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza is one of the sublime pacers to play for his nation. He is the current skipper of the limited-overs team and has been performing quite consistently even in the twilight of his career.

Also, Mortaza is a powerful striker of the cricketing ball which has boosted his team He has been a champion bowler for the Tigers and has bagged wickets consistently.

Star bowler Mortaza made his debut back in 2004 and has been a pillar behind the rise of Bangladesh cricket. And there is a possibility he might retire following the Asia Cup 2018

Mohammad Hafeez:

Mohammad Hafeez is undoubtedly one of the finest all-rounders in the current time. He was the No. 1 all-rounder and the No. 1 bowler in limited-overs cricket for a long time.

Hafeez has lent the ideal balance to the Pakistan team on many occasions with his all-round skills.

Ergo, there is no doubt about it that he is in the twilight of his career. He recently got cleared to bowl in international cricket.

It has again provided Pakistan, the much-needed balance in the team as one of the players. However, there is a possibility that Hafeez might opt to retire after the Asia Cup 2018.