Asia Cup 2025: Decoding India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka's Opening Stands So Far

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma [Source: AFP]

The Asia Cup 2025 is entering its most exciting phase with the Super Four stage set to begin. Four of the region’s cricketing powerhouses, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, have all made it through the group stage, and now the competition will heat up as they battle for a spot in the final. 

While cricket matches are often decided by a combination of strong batting lineups, dependable bowlers, and game-changing middle-order performances, one element has stood out time and again in T20 cricket: the opening partnership. 

The start provided by the first two batters can set the entire tone of the innings, either putting pressure on the opponent or leaving their own middle order with too much work to do.

We’ve seen this importance in various leagues around the world. In the IPL 2025, for instance, the successful partnership between Virat Kohli and Phil Salt helped carry their team to the trophy. 

The year before, in 2024, it was Phil Salt again, this time alongside Sunil Narine for Kolkata Knight Riders, who played a major role in securing the championship. 

Following that logic, it makes sense to ask: if the Asia Cup 2025 comes down to opening partnerships, who looks best placed to win?

India’s Opening Pair

India have turned to the youthful pairing of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill in this tournament. Abhishek has been explosive in the powerplay, striking at over 200 in the early overs, giving India exactly the kind of flying start that can rattle opponents. Gill, however, has not quite lived up to expectations, looking scratchy at times. 

• Together, the pair has managed 76 runs across three innings, averaging just over 25. 

While not extraordinary, the key difference for India is that they don’t rely heavily on their openers because of their strong middle order and finishing firepower.

That means even if Sharma and Gill don’t always click, India remains a favorite for the title.

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Sri Lanka’s Opening Pair

Sri Lanka have been fighting hard to stay in the mix, but their openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have not exactly flourished as a partnership. 

• Across three innings, they have added only 61 runs together, averaging around 20.

Nissanka, however, has been in terrific individual form, with scores of 50, 68, and 6 in the group stage. If Mendis can step up and provide stronger support, Sri Lanka could be a dangerous side. Without that improvement, though, their inconsistent starts might hold them back in crunch matches.

Bangladesh’s Opening Pair

Bangladesh have been experimenting with their openers, trying out different combinations. 

• Their pairing of Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan didn’t work well, putting together only 24 runs in two innings. 

But when Saif Hassan joined Tanzid, the results were much more promising: they combined for 63 runs in just one outing, batting deep into the seventh over. If Bangladesh continue with this new pairing, they could give their middle order a strong platform to build on, potentially making them a surprise package in the Super Fours.

Pakistan’s Opening Pair

Unfortunately for Pakistan, their opening partnership has been a disaster so far. The duo of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan has looked completely out of touch, with Ayub falling for ducks twice and Farhan unable to play with the urgency needed in T20 format. 

• Together, they’ve managed only 8 runs across three innings, averaging a meager 3. This poor start has left Pakistan on the back foot in almost every game, and unless they make a drastic change, their chances of reaching the final seem slim compared to the other teams.

Conclusion

Based purely on opening partnerships, India and Bangladesh currently look the strongest. India have the explosiveness of Abhishek Sharma combined with the depth of their batting lineup, while Bangladesh’s newly discovered pairing of Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan offers stability and promise. Sri Lanka sits in the middle, depending heavily on Nissanka, while Pakistan are struggling the most in this crucial department.

So, if the Asia Cup 2025 boils down to which team makes the most of their openers, India appears best positioned to dominate.

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