It’s thrice as nice!

Three possible highoctane India versus Pakistan games for the starved fans on both sides of the border along with a final chance for five nations to put their respective houses in order before the World Cup adds context to the Asia Cup starting in Multan on WednesdayIt is the final stop for five of the six teams barring Nepal to find answers for some nagging questions ahead of the global event starting October 5Of course there are some bilateral and practice matches ahead of the cricketrsquos big show but the Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka and Pakistan will give the teams the atmosphere of a multination tournament mirroring that of a World CupIndia seventime champs India enter the Asia Cup as seventime champs the most by any team but adding an eighth title might not feature on top of their bucket list A title win will be welcomed but the brain bank comprising of head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma will be keen to see a few pieces fall in place ahead of the World CupKL Rahul will miss the first two games as per head coach Dravid and time is running out for the Bengaluru keeperbatter to get match fit for the competitionShreyas Iyer is expected to take to the field when India face Pakistan on September 2 at Pallekele Though Iyer has gone through extensive drills at nets and match simulation at the NCA ahead of his selection to the Asia Cup squad the management will be keen to see how he responds to the rigours of a real match situationThere will be similar levels of anxiety about Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna Both pacers made their return to Team India in the T20I series against Ireland recently after a lengthy injury layoffIndia are the main cast but Pakistan Sri Lanka Bangladesh and Afghanistan are good sides tooAlso Read KL Rahul to miss Indias opening two Asia Cup games due to niggle concerns over his WC availabilitySri Lankarsquos squad in tattersThe Lankans have six Asia Cup titles but are struggling to find a full squad after injuries to Dushmantha Chameera Wanindu Hasaranga Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madhushanka Chameera Kumara and Madhushanka offer pace in excess of 140 kmph and their absence will hurt Bangladeshrsquos build up is mired in cacophonymdashinjured Tamim Iqbal and Ebadot Hosain are ruled outmdashleading to the return of Shakib Al Hasan as ODI captain after six yearsAmong the turbulence the other teams are facing Pakistan under Babar Azam seem to be a settled unitThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever