Mohammed Ashraful reveals the favorites for the Asia Cup

The much anticipated Asia Cup is set to get underway from September 15 onwards. The matches will take place in UAE. All the prominent names in Asia will take part in the contest. Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in the opening fixture. A total of six countries will lock horns in the tournament.

Asia set to sizzle

Apart from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Hong Kong will grace the event. The teams will be divided into two groups. Defending champions India and Pakistan are in the same group along with Hong Kong. Former Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful feels Pakistan are the strongest contenders. “Every participant of Asia Cup is strong. Anyone can beat any team in their day. But I would say that Pakistan will be the strongest claimant of the tournament. Because UAE is their home venue.” he said

Ashraful names his favorites

He feels Pakistan will have the upper hand since they have been playing in that condition for long now. “They are playing in that condition for a long time now. I think not only for a condition that they are familiar to, Pakistan is a strong contender of Asia Cup for their good cricket too,” Ashraful said during a practice session ahead of the Bangladesh National Cricket League.

On his country’s chances, he said that the Tigers will get the momentum if they can beat Sri Lanka, and thus the Afghanistan-match can be an easy affair for them. The cricketer is also hopeful about his side doing well this time around. “We have played Asia Cup final twice, but could not win even once. I think this time around, we can hope for something big.” he added.