This Asia Cup will be without several big names – for injuries, non-selection, and myriad other reasons. Here is the Asia Cup 2023 absentees XI.
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Litton Das (Bangladesh): A viral fever ruled Das out of the 2023 Asia Cup on the morning of the tournament opener. Anamul Haque was named his replacement.
Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh) – captain: After some confusion over his sudden retirement and reversal thereof ahead of the World Cup, Tamim was ruled out of the Asia Cup with a back injury.
KL Rahul (India): Injuries are never far from Rahul, who has been out since May with a right thigh muscle injury. He is in the Indian squad, but has been ruled out of at least the first two matches with a fresh niggle.
Rishabh Pant (India) – wicketkeeper: After the accident on December 30, 2022, a full-fledged comeback for Pant is still some time away – though he has appeared in minor cricket.
Mahmudullah (Bangladesh): There was no place for Mahmudullah, one of the biggest names in Bangladesh cricket history. He returned for the England series this year but made only 71 runs and did not bowl in the three ODIs.
Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan): All-rounder Azmatullah would have added balance to the Afghan unit, but he did not play in the last two ODIs against Pakistan after retiring hurt during the first.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Hasaranga, the biggest name in contemporary Sri Lankan cricket, is fresh off a phenomenal performance at the 2023 LPL. A grade two thigh strain has ruled him out of the Asia Cup.
Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan): On July 8, ACB chief selector Asadullah Khan had told Cricbuzz that Naveen was “expected to be out for two months” to undergo a minor knee surgery.
Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka): Last week’s oblique muscle tear ruled Chameera out of the tournament. In his last ODI series, against Afghanistan in June, he had figures of 16-0-81-6 in two matches.
Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka): Last week’s oblique muscle tear has ruled Madushanka, who had rattled India with 3-22 in last year’s T20I Asia Cup, out of the ODI edition this year.
Ebadot Hossain (Bangladesh): The Asia Cup will be without the saluting Ebadot, who is currently undergoing a post-knee-injury rehab. Bangladesh have replaced him with Tanzim Hasan.
Lahiru Kumara (Sri Lanka) – substitute: Fast bowler Kumara, with 26 Tests, 26 ODIs, and 26 T20Is under his belt will be out of the Asia Cup with a side strain.
