Asia Cup 2023: Ranking teams based on bowling strength

The Super Four round of the 2023 Asia Cup has begun with Pakistan clashing with Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium. In the group round, Pakistan displayed their bowling excellence in both matches and became the first team to reach the next stage. In the Super Four round, the hosts will expect their bowlers to continue their good work and help the team qualify for the final.

Afghanistan and Nepal ended their campaigns on a disappointing note without winning any game in the competition. In this failure, their terrible bowling performance played a huge part. India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are in the Super Four but they also put up an average bowling display in group matches. However, learning lessons from their mistakes, their bowlers will look to improve their performance in the Super Four stage to help their teams reach the final. 

Here are the ratings of teams on their bowling prowess 

6. Nepal- 4/10

Nepal made their Asia Cup debut in this edition but failed to be impactful. In their maiden game against Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium, they were put to bowl first by the Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who won the toss. In the first half of the first innings, Nepal bowlers gave a headache to the hosts, claiming four batters at a score of 124.

However, after the arrival of Iftikhar Ahmed, things completely went in Pakistan’s favour as the 33-year-old took Nepal’s bowling unit to the cleaners and stitched a 214-run partnership with his captain Babar Azam. Their top bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, and Sompal Kami struggled against batters and gave away runs at an economy of 6.00 or above.

In the match against India, Nepal’s batters improved their performance but their bowling got worse as this time, they failed to scalp any wickets while defending the revised target of 145 runs in 23 overs. India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill hit half-centuries against their poor bowling.