Asia Cup (Bangladesh 2012)

The Asia Cup 2012 kicks off in Bangladesh on Sunday. Whatmore's first assignment for Pakistan who after reaching their peak of beating ENG 3-0 in tests, out of no where have started to struggle, once again showing their mercurial nature.

"SL are like NZ always good for practice but will never rule"

That's why they are pushing AUS all the way and qualified top of the group in the CB series? That's why they chased over 300 in consecutive ODIs against RSA? That's why they are World Cup runners-up? After PAK's recent showing against ENG (who aren't even that good an ODI team), I can't see them causing any major worries, especially against sides more adept at playing mystery spin. BAN have no chance. It's between IND and SL, probably SL because of the confidence factor.

SLN have only now done well after a series of defeats including defeat at home to AUS and they lost 4-1 no less to Pakistan.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka too are tough sides in these conditions Spinny, agreed India have been doing exceedingly well in the sub continent, but PAK and SLN are not ENG, NZL or WI who will struggle in these conditions, I expect India to get a real tough time,

It is high time we stop seeing matches involving Bangladesh as walkovers. Its been a good 20 years they are playing international cricket - they have been consistently bad - but if and when they end up winning against a  proper team, it should not be viewed as an upset. 

I do agree that BAN have a long long way to go, esp if you consider the next WC< it'ss be in AUS and NZL and I think BAN will struggle BIG time to make an impact given those conditions, they've hardly played in AUS and NZL before. Then again that is the problem, they hardly get any games out side the subcontinent.

Man - these Indians look a totally different batting unit playing in these conditions.  Have to feel for the Lankans bowlers as well - they dished absolute trash but  their bodies seemed tried still recovering from the long CB series

I really want to ask Zuhair and Spinny what totally different means?? even in Australia they were scoring well in Odi's and Gambhir, Kohli and Dhoni were in good form so what is different? 

well India are a much better side in these conditions, I agree spinny, but even Pakistan and Sri lanka do well in these conditions, so I thought it won't be as simple for India. Mikey and Mystery are right, Gauti and Virat have been in good touch even in Australia but normally you'd expect Indian batting to click more often in these conditions and some how Indian bowlers adjust to these conditions better than other bowlers, that makes a difference.

Pakistan win, in fact they thrash Sri Lanka, the kind of cricket Pakistan have played over the last 18 months is awesome, except for the ODI's against ENG, it in fact is very surprising that they lost so tamely to ENG because otherwise they have been in top form. Good start for Dav Whatmore.

Yes Sam Pakistan lost to England was to me a upset as most of us were expecting Pakistan to win easily and Gul is bit like Johnson if you rest him he will be all over the place just keep on playing him and agree with Zuhair Younus date is up Shafiq should replace him.

You can tell Tendulkar has been biding his time, waiting for this match against BAN so he can stroll to a 100 whilst being unchallenged. Unless he plays a rash stroke now, it's there for the taking. 

thankfully that's out of the way now, and the world can get on with the cricket!

A great achievement but the occasion (meaningless Asia Cup match against a lesser team) isn't really fitting. 

Another Tendulkar century ended in a defeat. This is really sad.
But he batted too slow between 80 and 100 runs. If he had batted for the team India should have got to 310-320.