5 Players Who Can Be Leading Run-Scorer In Asia Cup 2023

image-llwbimqeRohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be key for India in Asia Cup 2023 (Twitter)

The much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 is here! After months of deliberations and tussles, the stage is ready to explode with high-octane games lined-up as big-ticket teams like India and Pakistan get ready to conquer the biggest cricketing prize of the world's biggest continent, Asia. The continental cup has always been a fascinating tournament with plenty of intense affairs and this time too, expect some memorable contests that are bound to catch the imagination of cricket fans around the world.

Some big batters will be taking the field in this Asia Cup and expect plenty of fireworks from big players in this battle of continental supremacy. So, let's now see 5 players who can lead the batting charts in Asia Cup 2023

Virat Kohli

image-llwcbc3mVirat Kohli in the T20 World Cup 2022 (Twitter)

It is almost impossible to imagine the list of top-run getters without a name of a certain man - Virat Kohli. The man has been a run-machine for over a decade now and there is no one better than him in the ODI format. Virat's highest score of 183 in ODIs also came in Asia Cup back in 2012 against Pakistan and he has been in great form in ODIs in 2023 as well.

In the 9 ODI innings in 2023, Kohli has scored 427 runs with an average of 53. 37 with a brilliant strike rate of 116.03.  Kohli also has an uncanny knock of bringing his best onto the table in big pressure games and expect him to come out all guns blazing in the high-octane environment of Asia Cup.

Babar Azam

The Pakistan skipper is one of the most consistent batters in world cricket and everytime Pakistan plays, Babar is expected to play a big role. Pakistan will play at least couple of their games at home while other games will be played in Sri Lanka. 

The recent experience of playing Lanka Premier League and ODI series in Sri Lanka will also benefit Babar and with an average of almost 49 in ODIs in 2023, Babar Azam can surely lead the batting charts in this Asia Cup. Babar Azam has scored 6 fifties in 11 innings in 2023 and he would be itching to get a big one in this Asia Cup.


Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan is another big-ticket player who has the ability to bring his best onto the table in big tournaments. Shakib will bat at four in this Asia Cup and the all-rounder has all the ingredients to go big with the bat in this Asia Cup. He can play spin and pace with equal ease and now as a captain, we might see him going back to his beast mode of 2019 World Cup where he scored 606 runs in 8 innings.

Also, he has not been at his best with the bat in recent times, which might just motivate him to take more responsibility and guide his team to a maiden Asia Cup title.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper has recently mentioned that he wants to get back in the mindset of the 2019, when he scored 5 centuries in the 2019 World Cup. Rohit Sharma has also scored 383 runs in 9 innings in ODIs this year with an average of 47.87. It includes a century and two fifties as well and just like many great players, he has the knack of scoring big under pressure.

Rohit also was in great touch in the recently held Windies series, and if he gets going, there are few bowlers in the world who can stop him.

Pathum Nissanka

image-llwbyq8tPathum Nissanka will open the innings for Sri Lanka (Twitter)

Nissanka has been one of the most consistent run-scorers for Sri Lanka in the last couple of years. He has been absolutely fantastic in ODIs in 2023 and has scored 687 runs in 14 innings. He has an average of 57.25 and has scored two centuries and five fifties this year, making him a player to watch out for in this Asia Cup.

Sri Lanka are not one of the favourites to win the title this year, but they were not in 2022 either, when they ended up lifting Asia Cup with a young and exuberant side. Nissanka would have to lead from the front if Sri Lanka wants to lift the title again and he could be a surprise package in this Asia Cup.

Note - Afghanistan too have quality players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran in their arsenal. However, they need to beat both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the group stage to move to Super 4 and that could be a tough task for them.