The teams have announced their squads for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, scheduled to run between August 27th and September 11th. However, a few of them came across minor changes that, in return, cost maximum loss to them.
At first, Rohit Sharma’s India had to lose Jasprit Bumrah’s services, who suffered a back injury and has not yet fully recovered. No doubt, his absence will reduce the venom of India’s bowling attack in the all-important event.
He has not played an international cricket match since July 14th, when Bumrah and co faced England in the second ODI at Lord’s. The management has taken the good decision to rest him for the Asia Cup. Not only the ACC event but his participation in T20 World Cup 2022 trembles, either.
The back issue is likely to keep him out of action, keeping a strong grip on his rehabilitation process. He is likely to be back to competitive cricket in September-October for white-ball home series against Australia and South Africa. However, that too will depend upon the healing process and fitness tests.
Another loss India had to bear was Harshal Patel. The bowler has made a decent appearance in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Following his appealing journey in the cash-rich league, he got a chance to represent India in 17 T20Is since 2021, bagging 23 wickets.
Apart from India, the arch-rivals Pakistan became another prey to the massive loss. Although the key pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was added to Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2022 squad, but the bowler was ruled out, seeking the severity of his knee injury.
Shaheen suffered a knee injury during last month’s test match against Sri Lanka in Galle. It was assumed that he would get fit during the course of the Pak vs NED ODI series getting at least a game too; however, things did not run in the men in green’s favour.
He has been advised to rest for four to six weeks and will also miss the home T20I series against England. It is yet to see if he will make it to the ICC World Cup 2022 in Australia. Mohammad Hasnain has been named Shaheen’s replacement for the event.
Sri Lanka are the third victim of the major loss of missing out on the key pacer for the Asia Cup 2022. Dushmantha Chameera, who has been serving the country across all formats since 2015, will not render his services at the ACC event.
During the practice, he suffered an injury in his left leg, which now needs scans and treatments, consequently expelling him from Asia Cup 2022. He has been replaced by Nuwan Thushara.
Earlier, seamer Binura Fernando was ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 squad following the injury he sustained during Sri Lanka’s Invitational t20 league. Up to date, he has played only nine t20Is.
