And so approaches the time when we get glued to our television screens. For us, this happens at a few of the major sporting events, such as the cricket ICC World Cup or football FIFA World Cup. But the UAE Asia Cup 2018 is a mini cricket World Cup for the cricket-obsessed nation of ours.

While my mother frowns at us siblings for wasting nearly the whole day watching cricket matches, I must admit that I find few things better than this wastage. Encouraged by our father’s interest, my siblings and I get away with wasting some of the precious study time in watching cricket. And starting today, this wastage of time would go on for two weeks.

A total of 13 One-Day International (ODI) games in 14 days time sounds like music to the cricket lovers of this country. These games will be played between six teams, which are divided in two groups of three teams each. Group A features India, Pakistan and Hong Kong; while group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

The most anticipated match is the India-Pakistan clash. Interestingly, there would be at least two of such matches — first at the group level on September 19 and the second as the Super Four clash on September 23. Two teams from both groups would qualify for the Super Four stage of the tournament. There is a very good chance of a final between India and Pakistan, which would make the count of such matches to an unprecedented number of three in a single tournament!

India is the favourite to lift the crown based on the squad strength and their recent ODIs record. They boast one of the best batting line-ups in the world in the form of star players like Shikhar Dawan, Rohit Sharma (captain) and MS Dhoni. Indian team selectors have aimed to come up with a balanced squad by selecting six bowlers and three all-rounders. By doing this, they have attempted to boost the bowling talent in the team.

There are new faces like Khalil Ahmed (left-arm fast bowler) whereas people like Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin miss out. Virat Kohli, the regular Indian captain, has been rested from this tournament. India have gone for the relatively younger bowlers that are either ODI specialists or have a good record in the limited overs format. And they have also gone for a reserve wicketkeeper in the form of Dinesh Karthik in their 16 member squad.

Coming to Pakistan, there is news that Imad Waseem and Muhammad Hafeez have been left out of the Pakistan squad. According to the chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, both players have been left out due to the fitness issues. Test opener Shan Masood gets his first chance in the ODIs after his selection in the squad. The squad selection seems to be based on the players who are all-rounders rather than specialist batsmen.

There seems to be more stress on strengthening the bowling department as indicated by the selection of six specialist fast bowlers. Part-time spinners who can bat a bit have been given preference over specialist spinners. The Pakistani opening batsmen duo of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have given great opening starts in the successful Zimbabwe tour. It is likely that team will continue its good form under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket keeper/batsman) and would make it to the final.

The Sri Lankan squad also shows the trend of selectors aiming to strengthen the bowling department and putting more faith in all-rounders rather than specialist batsmen. Only three batsmen in the side, in the form of Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Kusal Mendis and Upul Tharanga, are the ones who do not bowl. All other players have been selected while keeping in mind their ability to bowl. Sri Lanka have selected as many as seven specialist bowlers in the 16 member squad.

The defending champions have been boosted by the return of established players like Dinesh Chandimal and Lasith Malinga, who were out of the team for some time. They are expected to give a tough fight to India and Pakistan in the road to the final.

Bangladesh, by contrast to the other sides, have strengthened their batting department in the squad announced. This is because a few players in their batting department like Tamim Iqbal and Shakib ul Hassan are carrying injuries and/or are not fully fit. As such, they have gone for six specialist batsmen and only three specialist bowlers. The rest of the squad are all-rounders or batsmen who can bowl a bit.

Their squad has been weakened by the injuries to the established players and inclusion of new and inexperienced players. They will be led by Mashrafe Mortaza who is an all-rounder.

Afghanistan have seen their stock soar after winning the World Cup 2019 qualifying tournament. They beat sides like Zimbabwe and West Indies to win the tournament. They have come by leaps and bounds to become a side almost as strong as Bangladesh. Their strength lies in their spin bowlers, which comprise Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rehman and Mohammed Nabi. Their batsmen are also good and they would be looking to them, as well as their all rounders, to make it to the Super Four round. Their other star players include the batsmen Mohammed Shahzad and Asghar Afghan (captain).

Hong Kong, the lowest rated side, would be hoping not just to make the numbers. They beat Afghanistan in a World Cup qualifying tournament match this year and have quite a few surprises stored in them. Their star players include the veteran off-spinner Ehsan Khan and the batsman Anshuman Rath .

For a full list of fixtures, schedules and the squads, you can visit the International Cricket Council’s official web-site https://www.icc-cricket.com.

So there you have it - your complete guide to the tournament and the teams. Enjoy the tournament, particularly the India-Pakistan clashes. For my part I would be heading to restaurants or social gatherings or the friends’ parties to enjoy the key matches. And when that is not possible, I would be enjoying the matches at home while munching popcorn and crisps. Happy tournament guys!

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 15th, 2018