India are clear favourites for this year's Asia Cup. But could a combined Asia Cup XI beat them?
Note: Only players named in their respective teams' Asia Cup squads are eligible for selection.
Saim Ayub
It has been over two years since Saim Ayub debuted in international cricket. Early signs at the top level suggest that ODIs may be his best format, but his breakthrough came in T20 cricket, and he has improved significantly in the format. Until August 2024, Ayub averaged just under 15 at the international level, and struck at a shade over 120.
In the last year though, he has been a man transformed – able to put together his clearly-explosive style with consistent run contributions. Since September 1, 2024, he has made 479 runs, averaging over 34 and striking at over 150.
Pathum Nissanka
Like Ayub, Pathum Nissanka also had early struggles in the shortest format, but in a different way. He was able to contribute regularly, but his strike rate being in the low 110s meant those scores perhaps did more harm than good to Sri Lanka. Like Ayub though, he has found a way to improve, not just in T20Is but in all three formats.
A record of 756 runs in the last two years, at an average of 36 and strike rate pushing 140 make him a suitable complement to Ayub; a slightly more reliable run bank, and a right-hander to boot.
Litton Das (wk)
Inextricably linked to Bangladesh's results in T20 cricket, Litton Das' form has well and truly flown under the radar. A career strike rate of 126 does not paint a great picture, but in the last two years, Litton has maintained a steady 135 in that regard. The recent tri-series against Netherlands saw him play knocks of 54* (29) and 73 (46), more good signs for Bangladesh heading into the Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera, also a wicketkeeper, is unlucky to miss out here.
Fakhar Zaman
Left-hander Fakhar Zaman made his name in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, and has opened for the majority of his T20I career. But a move to No.4 in early 2024 – and now No.3 – have seen him find a new gear. His 18 innings at No.4 have seen him strike at 156, including some highly impactful cameos.
Hassan Nawaz
Slotting in at No.5 is Fakhar’s Pakistan teammate Hassan Nawaz. Nawaz also started his T20I career at the top of the order, on a truly remarkable tour of New Zealand where he scored a century, and made one run in the other four innings combined.
But since moving to No.5, he has been utterly destructive through the middle overs. He is yet to face genuinely world-class opposition, but the early signs are ominous, with a rate of six-hitting that rivals some of the best in the world.
Azmatullah Omarzai
Azmatullah Omarzai earns a spot in this team as the seam-bowling all-rounder. He was the ICC’s ODI Player of the Year in 2024, and is undoubtedly an excellent player in the 50-over format. While his T20I numbers aren't great, averaging 14 with the bat and 32 with the ball, they are as much the product of shifting roles, as anything else.
That record not withstanding, Omarzai is still only 25 years old and it would not be a stretch to call him the best pace-bowling all-rounder in the subcontinent, after Hardik Pandya.
Mohammad Nawaz
The second Nawaz in this team, he is by no means an automatic pick in a pan-Asia XI. But his recall to the T20I setup earlier this year resulted in a clear role being given to Nawaz – hit the ball long, and just keep the runs down with ball in hand.
His nine matches in 2025 have seen him average just 12 with the bat, but these include important cameos of 25 off 15 and 21 off 11, giving Pakistan the lower-order firepower they have lacked of late. His economy rate is just over six this year, although there have been some helpful wickets. He also has the ability to open the bowling.
Rashid Khan
There is little need to explain this one. Rashid Khan, despite a slight down year in 2025 (by his lofty standards), remains one of the first names on any T20 team sheet. In case you still needed convincing, he is the top wicket-taker in T20I cricket and T20 cricket overall...
Wanindu Hasaranga
Another leggie, perhaps not on Rashid's level, but another proven performer in T20 cricket. Hasaranga has made his name as a specialist in the shortest format, and can be particularly dangerous in Asia where wickets with lower bounce constantly keep the stumps in play. Both he and Rashid can hold a bat as well, giving this XI some impressive batting depth.
Taskin Ahmed
In a departure from tradition, there are several quick bowlers who could fill in the last two spots in this lineup. Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mustafizur Rahman in particular might feel hard done by, but Taskin Ahmed just about edges them out.
The 30-year-old has developed into a quick built for Asian conditions, particularly when there is some assistance with the new ball. In the last two years, he has conceded runs at 7.45 per over in the Powerplay, and a mere 6.56 at the death.
Matheesha Pathirana
Pathirana's recent form, particularly in the IPL, has come under some scrutiny – but this is mainly down to his bowling action undergoing some tweaks over the last couple of years. He remains not just Asia's, but one of the world's foremost death-overs specialists, striking once every 6.44 balls in overs 17-20 in the last two years.
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