The Asia Cup is starting today, with Afghanistan taking on Sri Lanka in Dubai. This edition of the tournament could be one of the most evenly-contested, with most teams boasting of good T20I players. However, one of the biggest setbacks came in the form of injuries to three fiery pace bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah (India), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) and Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka). Their absence will deeply impact their respective sides as they have been one of their best and quickest bowlers in recent times. In this piece, we will take a look at how their absence could affect their teams in the Asia Cup.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah is probably the best bowler in this format and one of the biggest match-winners for India. A recurring back spasm has ruled him out of the Asia Cup, and he is now recovering at India’s National Cricket Academy. An excellent all-phase bowler, Bumrah’s biggest strength, apart from his new ball bowling, is his reliability at the death.
Bumrah’s career economy rate is a phenomenal 6.46 RPO. To make it even better, his economy rate in the last five overs of the innings (16-20) is just 7.37. 41.8% of his deliveries in this phase are dot balls. With Harshal Patel also ruled out, there will be massive pressure and responsibility on the shoulders of young Arshdeep Singh, who is likely to be Bumrah’s replacement in the XI.
Shaheen Shah Afridi
One of the biggest blows of the tournament came when Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out due to a knee injury. Afridi wasn’t just Pakistan’s spearhead, but he was also their only left-arm pacer in the squad. His angle has consistently proved to be nemesis for most sides, Afridi’s absence will leave a huge void in Pakistan’s attack.
Afridi’s biggest value lies in the Powerplay. A potent new-ball bowler, Afridi can generate considerable swing at high pace. Since his T20I debut, he has the second-best average for a Pakistani bowler (minimum of 25 wickets). In his last match against India, he was the biggest reason why the match ended in Pakistan’s favour even before the second innings. Afridi missing out could affect Pakistan’s Powerplay performance.
Dushmantha Chameera
Since Chameera’s debut, only Wanindu Hasaranga has more T20I wickets than him. Chameera might not possess stats that make you stand up and take notice. What he offers is the lively pace which makes for enthralling viewing, the pace that can trouble the best of batters. The quickest of the Sri Lankan bowlers, Chameera could’ve been the enforcer on not-so-pace-conducive pitches, if not for his leg injury.
The injuries to these premier fast bowlers are a setback for their respective teams. The tournament will surely miss the excitement that these fiery pacers could’ve provided, however, that presents an opportunity for the rest of the bowlers to lead their bowling attacks in the 2022 Asia Cup.