Abhishek Sharma And? Players Who Could Be X-Factors For Their Teams In Asia Cup Super Fours

Players who could be X factors for their teams in Asia Cup 2025 Super Four [Source: AFP]

The Asia Cup 2025 has reached its Super Four stage. After the group matches, four teams are now ready to battle it out: India and Pakistan from Group A and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from Group B. A total of six matches will be played in this stage.

While India looks like the strongest contender on paper, cricket is a game of surprises and a few players could become “X-factors” who change the course of matches for their teams. Let’s take a look at them:

Abhishek Sharma (India)

India young opener Abhishek Sharma has completely changed how the team approaches the first six overs in T20 format. He has shown great knocks and has played fearless and attacking cricket. Notably, his strike rate in this tournament clearly shows his intent to not settle low scores.

• In the group stage, where the top-order batters in the tournament scored at a combined strike rate of around 119, Abhishek was in another league altogether, scoring at an astonishing 210. 

In just two innings, he has smashed 61 runs with 6 sixes and 5 fours. His ability to put bowlers under pressure right from the start makes him India’s X-factor in the Super Four.

Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman has been the most reliable batter so far. In three innings, he has scored 90 runs at a strike rate of 134.32.

The big issue for Pakistan has been their opening pair. Saim Ayub has scored three ducks in a row, and Sahibzada Farhan has struggled to accelerate. That’s why Fakhar’s role becomes even more important, he has carried the batting line-up in tough situations. 

If Pakistan want to go deep in the T20 tournament, they’ll need Fakhar to keep delivering. So, he can be the 'X-factor' for the Men in Green.

Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)

For Bangladesh, the spotlight will be on Mustafizur Rahman. The left-arm pacer has always been known for his clever variations, and with the UAE pitches getting slower in late summer, he is perfectly suited to exploit the conditions. His cutters and slower deliveries can be extremely difficult to handle. 

So far in the tournament, he has taken four wickets in three innings, but his overall T20I record, 146 wickets in 115 matches, shows what he is capable of. If Bangladesh are to upset the bigger teams, Mustafizur’s bowling will be central to their chances and he can be the X-factor.

Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka all-rounder Kamindu Mendis is another player who could surprise everyone. He is unique in world cricket as an ambidextrous bowler, able to bowl with both hands, and he is also a handy batter in the middle order. 

While his contributions in this tournament have been modest so far, scoring 31 runs in two innings, his overall T20 numbers suggest that he can step up when it matters most, with 474 runs at a strike rate of 130, including two fifties. 

In crunch games against India and Pakistan, Mendis could well prove to be Sri Lanka’s impact player.

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