From Pakistan To Nepal: Asia Cup 2023 Line-Up

Six nations will compete for cricket's Asia Cup from Wednesday, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Won by Sri Lanka a year ago over the T20 format, this year the Asia Cup reverts to 50 overs. It is also a final chance for Asia's cricketing giants to size each other up before October's World Cup in India. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four with the leading two in the standings contesting the final in Colombo on September 17.

Here's how the tournament shapes up:

Group A

Pakistan

The top-ranked team are co-hosts with Sri Lanka after a hybrid model was agreed because of India refusing to play in Pakistan.

Pakistan, who rose to world number one after sweeping Afghanistan 3-0 last week, will stage four matches with the remaining nine, including the final in Sri Lanka.

ODI ranking: 1

Captain: Babar Azam

Key players: Babar Azam (batsman), Shaheen Shah Afridi (left-arm fast bowler), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper-batsman)

Asia Cup best: Winners 2000, 2012 (both 50-over)

India

The cricketing powerhouse have won more Asia Cups than anyone and enter the tournament as favourites as they go for an eighth title.

ODI ranking: 3

Captain: Rohit Sharma

Key players: Virat Kohli (batsman), Hardik Pandya (all-rounder), Jasprit Bumrah (fast bowler)

Asia Cup best: Winners 1984, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2010, 2018 (50-over) and 2016 (T20).

Nepal

Making their debut, Nepal face a baptism of fire against India and Pakistan. Reached the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year, but failed to qualify for the 50-over showpiece.

ODI ranking: 15

Captain: Rohit Paudel

Key players: Aarif Sheikh (batsman), Paudel (batting all-rounder), Sandeep Lamichhane (leg-spinner), Aasif Sheikh (wicketkeeper-batsman)

Asia Cup best: Debut 2023

Group B

B