Asia Cup 2022

On, Wednesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) uploaded a video where the Indian players including out-of-form Virat Kohli can be seen starting their preparations for the Asia Cup. At the same ground the Afghanistan and Pakistan cricketers were also present. Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Pakistan captain Babar Azam were seen exchanging greetings.

Laxman who served as the coach in India's just-concluded three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe, will oversee the team's preparation in the absence of Dravid, who tested positive for Covid-19 before the team's departure to the UAE. The 49-year-old Dravid will join the team once he tests negative and is cleared by the BCCI Medical Team.

Sunday's clash at Dubai will see the resumption of the 'greatest rivalry' in the world of cricket when India and Pakistan open their Asia Cup Group A campaign. This will also be the first meeting between these two teams after facing off in the Men's T20 World Cup last year in the UAE, where Pakistan secured a 10-wicket victory over India, their first such win in Men's World Cups.

The only hurdle now remaining in Hong Kong's path to securing a place alongside India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup will come from hosts UAE. Led by Nizakat Khan, Hong Kong will face UAE on Wednesday night in the last Asia Cup Qualifier match, with the winner virtually assured of a place in tournament proper.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that Dravid had tested positive for Covid-19, placing his involvement in the Asia Cup, scheduled to commence in the UAE from August 27, in doubt. The BCCI added that Dravid is under the supervision of the BCCI Medical team and has mild symptoms. It also said that he will join the Indian team once he returns with a negative COVID-19 report.

Afridi was ruled out of the tournament after being advised a 4-6 weeks rest by the medical team following an injury to the right knee ligament. He has also been ruled out of the seven-match home T20I series against England, which is to run from September 20 to October 2. Afridi is expected to return to competitive cricket in October with the T20I tri-series in New Zealand, also featuring Bangladesh as the third side and will be followed by the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November.

As a founding member of the Asian Cricket Council, Abdul Rahman Bukhatir was instrumental in the initial success of this tournament and believes this was the first major step in the future ascendency of Asian teams in the cricketing hierarchy, not to mention Sharjah's reputation as a world-class cricketing venue and its inclusion in the Guinness World Records for hosting the maximum One-Day International matches at a single venue (245).

Though there are some doubts over who will feature in the starting eleven ahead of the Men's T20 World Cup in Australia, cricket fans can be optimistic about India successfully retaining the title. India's journey in Asia Cup 2022 begins from August 28 against arch-rivals Pakistan, before facing the qualifying team on August 31. But India's real challenge will begin when the Super Four stage comes.

What makes this year's tournament, to be held in the T20 format in Dubai and Sharjah, special is that it will also mark the return of the greatest rivalry in men's cricket -- India vs Pakistan. The return of the Asia Cup to the UAE also brings back the tradition of India-Pakistan matches being played in the country through the 1980s and 1990s, mainly in Sharjah. India, the defending champions and seven-time winners of the trophy, will be looking to retain their throne as the best in Asia.

But the official release from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Afridi is expected to return to competitive cricket in October with the T20I tri-series in New Zealand, also featuring Bangladesh as the third side and will be followed by the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November. "Shaheen Shah Afridi has been advised 4-6 weeks rest by the PCB Medical Advisory Committee and independent specialists following the latest scans and reports. Shaheen had suffered a right knee ligament injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle," said the PCB.