5 Batters to Watch Out for in Asia Cup 2025

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup is on the horizon. To be hosted in the UAE from September 9 to 28, Asia Cup 2025 promises high-octane cricket as eight teams battle for continental supremacy in the T20 format. While bowlers may dominate on sluggish surfaces in the UAE, it’s the batters who will shape the narrative, anchoring innings, accelerating in death overs, and turning games on their heads. Among the many stars and rising talents, here are five batters who could stand out from the rest and take the game on their own hands.

Shubman Gill (India)

All eyes will be on India’s vice-captain and batting linchpin, Shubman Gill, as he enters the Asia Cup in sublime touch. The youngster will be making his return to T20Is, and it would be interesting to see where he will bat in an already stacked and in-form batting lineup. Gill is capable of anchoring and accelerating with equal finesse. What makes Gill a pivotal batter for the defending champions?

In the IPL 2025, Gill averaged over 45 with a strike rate above 150, showcasing his ability to dominate powerplays and finish strong.
His role in India’s top order is pivotal, especially with the absence of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Gill’s ability to play spin and pace with equal comfort makes him a vital cog for the side in UAE conditions.

Hasan Nawaz (Pakistan)

Pakistan’s batting has undergone a generational shift, and Hasan Nawaz is at the heart of this transformation in the redefined middle order. The 23-year-old made headlines with a blistering 105 off 45 balls* against New Zealand earlier this year and has since cemented his place in the middle order. Nawaz hasn’t picked up any experience, but a big player always strives for this sort of opportunity. With the absence of batting stalwarts like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, Nawaz’s role becomes even more crucial. Will Nawaz light up the UAE in this Asia Cup?

Nawaz isn’t your typical T20 slogger—he builds innings with intelligence, pacing his knock before unleashing in the final overs.
His approach suits UAE conditions, where calculated aggression often trumps brute force.
In a recent interview, Nawaz emphasized his intent to “carry the match forward” rather than chase sixes every ball, a mindset that reflects maturity beyond his years.

Sediqullah Atal (Afghanistan)

Afghanistan’s rise in T20 cricket has been meteoric, and Sediqullah Atal is one of the fresh faces driving that momentum. The silent stabilizer for Afghanistan at the top, Atal, displayed maturity in the recently concluded tri-nation series in the UAE. If the left-hander steps up and rises to the occasion, it won’t be a surprise at all with the amount of talent this southpaw has.

Atal’s strength lies in his ability to rotate strike and absorb pressure, especially valuable when wickets fall early.
His performances in domestic cricket and the recent tri-series against UAE and Pakistan have earned him a permanent spot in the XI.
With spin-heavy middle overs expected in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, Atal’s temperament and technique will be on display.

Jaker Ali Anik (Bangladesh)

For a long time, Bangladesh batting unit has been in search of an enforcer whob could play a blazing knock and turn the tables for his side. With Jaker Ali in their ranks now, the team has found a batter who can take the bowlers on and give his team a thrust in the lower middle order. Fresh off a successful T20I series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, Jaker is brimming with confidence.

He’s scored 571 runs in 33 T20Is at an average of 27.19, often rescuing Bangladesh from tricky situations.
Jaker’s ability to play spin and pace makes him a versatile option at No. 4 or 5.
His recent comments reflect a winning mindset: “We’re not just going to participate, we’re going to become champions”.

Anshuman Rath (Hong Kong)

Few stories in this Asia Cup are as compelling as Anshuman Rath’s. Once a teenage captain for Hong Kong, hailing from India, Rath spent two years in India’s domestic circuit before returning to international cricket, mentally drained but spiritually renewed. If Rath can deliver for his side, expect Hong Kong to stage at least one upset in this competition, if not more.

Rath’s comeback has been nothing short of inspirational. He’s shed 20 kilos, rediscovered his love for the game, and now leads Hong Kong’s batting charge.
Technically sound and tactically sharp, Rath is expected to bat in the top three, anchoring innings and guiding younger players.
He averages around 50 at a strike rate of around 150 in his last 10 T20Is.

The Asia Cup 2025 could be a showcase of evolving talent, shifting dynamics, and regional pride. While bowlers will have their moments, these five batters—Gill, Nawaz, Atal, Jaker, and Rath, bring a mix of elegance, grit, and firepower that could well define the tournament’s narrative.