Asian XI: Best ODI playing XI in 2018 considering only players from Asia

2018 is coming to an end, and there have been some consistent performers this year. Along with the big guns, there have been some other players who have had a great 2018 including players from nations like Bangladesh and Afghanistan. These players have helped their respective teams to multiple wins this year. The following playing XI will be one that will be nearly impossible to defeat. On this note, let's take a look at the best ODI playing XI in 2018 considering only players from Asia.

Openers

Australia v India - T20

Shikhar Dhawan (India)

It was a close call between Shikhar Dhawan and Fakhar Zaman, but Shikhar Dhawan edges out Fakhar due to a superior strike rate and average. 2018 has been another stellar year for Shikhar Dhawan, with him nearing 900 runs this calendar year. He has scored three centuries and two half-centuries at an average of around 50 and a strike rate above 100. Dhawan has been one of the most impactful players in the team and has provided solid starts for India at the top of the order. Shikhar will be required to provide momentum to the innings that the other batsmen can capitalize on.

Australia v India - Game 1

Rohit Sharma (India)

Rohit Sharma is 2nd on the list of highest run-getters this year in ODI cricket, behind just Virat Kohli. He is one of three players to have crossed the 1000 run mark in ODI cricket this t year. Furthermore, Sharma is 2nd on the list of most centuries this year behind just his captain. Rohit had come to the fore when the team needed him and managed to score colossal daddy hundreds while he was at it. He scored runs at a brisk strike rate and was able to convert his starts into big hundreds.

Middle Order

Australia v India - Game 3

Virat Kohli (India)

Is there anything left to say about the Indian run machine? He has already proved his critics wrong on multiple occasions and he has scored runs at a mind-boggling average of 133 this year. He has won the ICC player of the year twice and is well on his way to equal Ab de Villiers' record of 3 awards. Kohli is the most consistent Asian player this year, which is evident from his average of 133.

1st Momentum ODI: South Africa v Bangladesh

Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) (WK)

Mushfiqur Rahim has been one of the mainstays in the Bangladesh middle order this year and has repeatedly saved Bangladesh from spots of bother. He has been in scintillating form this year and thus finds his name on this list. Mushfiqur has scored five half-centuries, and a century this year in the 18 games Rahim has played. He is one of the best middle order batsmen this year.

2nd Momentum ODI: South Africa v Bangladesh

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Another Bangladeshi who features on this list, Shakib has been responsible for Bangladesh's seemingly instantaneous rise over the last two years. He has had an impressive 2018 and has further established himself as a great middle order batsman and spin bowler. He has scored runs at a good average of 35 with five half-centuries in the 13 innings he played. On the bowling front, he has taken 21 wickets at a good average of 26.

Sri Lanka v England - International Twenty20

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

During a year where Sri Lanka's batting mainstay from 2017, Upul Tharanga, failed to make much of an impact and the team lost most of the matches they have played, Thisara Perera has been one of the lone bright spots in a dark year for Sri Lanka. Perera ends the year as his countries highest run scorer with 485 runs at a decent average of 35, and his countries second highest wicket-taker with 25 wickets this year at a brilliant average of 20 runs a piece.

Spinners

Australia v India - T20

Kuldeep Yadav(India)

2018 has been the breakthrough year for Kuldeep Yadav as he ends the year as one of the highest wicket-takers. Along with Chahal, he has formed a lethal partnership that has resulted in multiple wins for India. He has troubled even the finest batsmen in the world and has taken wickets at a brilliant average of just 17. Kuldeep Yadav finishes the year as 2nd in the list of highest wicket-takers this year, and his unique chinaman bowling will add some dimension to this attack.

BBL - Strikers v Renegades

Rashid Khan(Afganistan)

Rashid Khan has been the architect on Afghanistan's rapid rise to the top. Rashid currently sits on the second place in the ICC Rankings. Rashid finishes the year as the highest wicket-taker with 48 wickets this year at an outstanding average of just 14. Rashid will be responsible for leading this spin attack.

BBL - Heat v Hurricanes

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afganistan)

Along with Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman has established Afganistan as one of the actual contenders for the upcoming World Cup. He has played 20 matches this year, taking wickets in all but 2 of those matches. Mujeeb has been selected in this playing XI due to his good economy rate as well as the fact that he is the 3rd highest wicket-takers this year considering only Asians, and 4th overall.

Pacers

India v South Africa - ICC Champions Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah followed up a brilliant 2016 and 2017 with an outstanding show in the matches he has played this year. His death bowling has been merely breathtaking and he has helped India win multiple matches with his toe-crushing yorkers which with his fiery pace and uncanny accuracy, makes him a real asset for any team in the world. Bumrah has taken 22 wickets this year at an average of just 16 which is the second-best average by any bowler this year who has taken more than 20 wickets. Jasprit will lead the pace attack of this XI.

Australia v Bangladesh - ICC Champions Trophy

Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)

After a mostly unimpressive 2017, Mustafizur Rahman has returned all guns blazing. He features on the list of highest wicket-takers this year and is one of the reasons behind Bangladesh's good form across all formats this year. Mustafizur has troubled some world class batsmen with his accurate left-arm bowling and has managed bowl economically at the death overs and has also taken wickets.