When the Going gets Tough, Tough gets Going
The Ace of Spades for Each Team ft. World Cup
With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 just a few sleeps away, 3 to be precise, every team is up and running to get their hands on the elusive Trophy. The journey to the elusive title commences on the 5th of October in Ahmedabad, with the finalists of the previous edition, England, and New Zealand, locking horns against each other with the later ought to seek revenge of the finale. That said, a Tournament of the dimension of the World cannot be won without a complete team effort. However, in clutch situations wherein the pressure is the highest, crowds are the loudest, the X-Factor players who have the potential to turn things around often end up delivering victory for their side. Here is a look at the potential Ace of Spades of each competing team in the Tournament –
India – Jasprit Bumrah
Bowlers have often been overshadowed by Batsmen in this sport. But such is the nature of the game that it has been widely said in recent times that Batsmen win you matches, but bowlers win you Tournaments. Jasprit Bumrah, with his match-winning potential with the ball in all 3 phases of the match, is truly and undoubtedly the Ace of Spades of the Indian Team.
Australia – Glenn Maxwell
A complete All-round package, who can not only win you games single-handedly with the bat but also with the ball, as seen in the 3rd ODI vs India, and not just with bat and ball, but in the field as well with those stunners under pressure, Glenn Maxwell is the Ace of Spades for the Mighty Aussies in this tournament.
England – Liam Livingstone
Overshadowed by multiple big names in the side, Liam Livingstone is that guy who has the ability to win games single-handedly for his side as seen in the IPL. Not just with the bat, he can turn up with the ball as well with his off-spin as well as leg-spin, a rare commodity. An electrifying fielder as well who hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase himself even after being in the starting 11 all this while because of match-winners present all around him in that English side.
Pakistan – Shaheen Shah Afridi
What Jasprit Bumrah is to India, Shaheen Afridi is to Pakistan, who has the ability to turn things around within a space of few balls and is lethal in all stages of the game.
New Zealand – Daryl Mitchell
The man who has been holding together the Kiwi’s batting line-up all this while, in the absence of Kane Williamson and who can be crucial with his slower cutters with the ball is surely the X-factor that the kiwis have been looking for since quite a while.
South Africa – Heinrich Klassen
The highest run-getter for the Sunrisers Hyderabad side in the previous IPL season, and the man who is considered to be in the form of his life and a quality or precisely termed as the best player of spin in recent times, is the one that South African team is banking on to deliver in this tournament.
Sri Lanka – Dasun Shanaka
Though considered out-of-form recently, Sri Lankan-skipper Dasun Shanaka, with his power hitting abilities down the order, medium pace bowling and most importantly wise captaincy decisions make him the Ace of spades for the Lankans.
Bangladesh – Shakib Al Hasan
The ever reliable and the most consistent performer of the Bangladeshi side, skipper Shakib, with his all-round abilities and most importantly, his vast experience, is undoubtedly the Ace of Spades for his side.
Afghanistan – Rahmanullah Gurbaz
In a team comprising of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb and others who majorly form the bowling core of the side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top of the order is that X-factor, which the Afghans desperately seek in their team and especially in the batting line-up.
Netherlands – Colin Ackermann
Much like his name, his unique power-hitting abilities can help the Dutch to cause some major upsets in the World Cup. He is the one whom quite a few experts have pinned their hopes on to lift the Dutch batting line-up.
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