Asia Cup 2025: 3 Associate Players To Watch Out For

The Asia Cup 2025 is less than a month away, and while many are waiting for the big clash between India and Pakistan, it is also important to note that there are other talented teams that can make an impact. 

UAE, Oman and Hong Kong are the three associate teams in the tournament, and we take a look at one player from each team to watch out for in the tournament.

Ayush Shukla (Hong Kong)

At 22, Ayush Shukla has already played 52 T20 Internationals (T20I) for Hong Kong and has snapped up 47 wickets with his medium pace. He is one of just three bowlers to bowl four maidens in a T20I after Saad Bin Zafar (Canada) and Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand). His stump-to-stump lines and his tendency to move the ball early on make him a deadly weapon.

Shakeel Ahmed (Oman)

Left-arm spinner Shakeel Ahmed will come in handy on those slow surfaces in the UAE. In his 34 T20Is since his debut in 2023, Ahmed has picked up 27 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.67. The 37-year-old has been even more impressive in the One-Day International (ODI) circuit, with 39 wickets at 11.15 in just 15 matches. He is sure to cause trouble for the batters in the Asia Cup.

Alishan Sharafu (UAE)

22-year-old Alishan Sharafu turned heads with some scintillating performances at the top, opening the innings with Muhammad Waseem. As an opener, Sharafu averages 51 and strikes at nearly 149. Hence, it comes as a surprise that he has not opened for the UAE this year. Earlier this year, he scored an unbeaten 68 (47) in the third T20I against Bangladesh in May to help his side to a historic series victory.