Asia Cup 2008

This month is really hectic in the sporting world, with Euro and Wimbledon topping world charts. But viewers of Asia Cup will be firm favorites for top honors this week in the subcontinent.

The Asia Cup was started in the year 1983, with the top three teams, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka fighting in a round robin league. Slowly other teams have entered the fray, and this year, the event hosts 6 teams. They include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Honk Kong. This millennium is witnessing its third Asia Cup, Pakistan having beaten Sri Lanka in 2000 and Sri Lanka having beaten India in 2004.

This year, M.S.Dhoni’s team seems to be the team to beat, irrespective of their loss to Pakistan in the recently concluded Tri Series in Bangladesh. They have beaten Australia down under, and after their T20 triumph, this team seems to be oozing with confidence.

India has been paired with Honk Kong, and more importantly Pakistan. Both teams are expected to go through to the Super Four stage, which has again been set as a round robin league. The other group consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and UAE, with the first two likely to progress. The top two teams from the Super Four will fight it out for the cup on July 6.
I hope India will win inspite of stiff resistance from Sri Lanka and Pakistan.