Look out for these cricketers from Indian subcontinent in 2018!
2018 cricket season is about to begin soon and teams are already busy preparing for a jam-packed January. In 2017, there were some players who stood out for their performances and are expected to make it big in the coming season. As far as the players from Indian subcontinent go, Indian and Pakistani players populate this list. Let's have a look who they are.
Hardik Pandya, 2017's breakthrough talent
Hardik Pandya has to be the top revelation of 2017 making most of his IPL exposure to become an indispensable asset that he is now in short formats. The young pace-bowling all-rounder with big-hitting ability, a rare breed to find in India, has played 33 ODIs, 27 T20Is and 3 Tests with 35, 23 and 4 wickets respectively. He also scored a Test century.
Pakistan's promising talent, Babar Azam
Pakistan's batting woes in recent years have found an answer in Babar Azam. The 23-year-old has notched up seven tons in a short span of 36 ODIs. Azam has amassed 1758 ODI runs, played 11 Tests and 14 T20Is for Pakistan. He is best remembered for scoring three back-to-back ODI-centuries against West Indies, only the third Pakistan player to do so.
Yuzvendra Chahal turns out to be a fine find
Yuzvendra Chahal is another "IPL breed" of players who steadily made his place in Team India. He contributed significantly to India's stretch of home wins in short-formats. His rise is evident by the fact that he ended 2017 as leading T20I wicket-taker, 23 wickets from 11 matches. Till now, he has played 17 ODIs and 14 T20Is picking up 27 and 26 wickets respectively.
Hasan Ali, the top ODI bowler
In the course of an year, Hasan Ali meteorically rose to become the number 1 ODI bowler. A fast bowling sensation from Pakistan, Hasan has featured in 26 ODIs and picked up 56 wickets. He was named the Man of the Tournament after helping Pakistan make a tremendous comeback in the 2017 Champions Trophy which they won by beating India in the final.
Rashid Khan, the teenage mainstay player from Afghanistan
Rashid Khan, the 19-year-old from Afghanistan is undoubtedly the most significant teenager playing for a national side. While as a team Afghanistan plays way less cricket, the wizard leg-spinner has has been part of the team for 32 ODIs and 27 T20Is picking up 70 and 44 wickets in the formats respectively. Rashid has shown his mettle at the IPL and Big Bash Leagues.
