The Asia Cup is a popular cricket tournament contested between Asian nations and organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This tournament was established in 1983 to promote goodwill and friendship among Asian cricketing nations.
The Asia Cup is played in the 50-over One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats alternately every two years. The first edition of this tournament was held in 1984 in Sharjah, UAE and was won by India.
Over the years, the Asia Cup has grown into a prestigious event in the cricketing calendar and is eagerly awaited by fans across Asia.
It provides an excellent platform for upcoming Asian teams like Afghanistan and Nepal to rub shoulders with cricketing giants like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Aisa Cup Venues and Host Nations [From 1984-2022]
The Asia Cup has been hosted across various Asian venues over the years. The United Arab Emirates has hosted the tournament 4 times in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Bangladesh has hosted 5 editions in Dhaka and Chittagong. Sri Lanka hosted it 4 times in Colombo, Dambulla and Mirpur. Pakistan hosted it twice in Lahore and Karachi.
India, Singapore and Qatar have also hosted the Asia Cup once each in Bangalore, Indore, Singapore and Doha respectively.
The 2023 edition is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from 30th August to 17th September.
Asia Cup Records, Stats, Winners List
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Most Runs | Sanath Jayasuriya – 1220 (25 Matches) – (1990–2008) – Sri Lanka |
| Most Runs (Indian) | Sachin Tendulkar – 971 (23 Matches) – (1990–2012) |
| Most Runs in a Tournament | Sanath Jayasuriya – 378 (2008) |
| Most Hundreds | Sanath Jayasuriya – 6 |
| Most Wickets | Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 30 wickets in 24 matches (1995–2010) |
| Most Wickets in a Tournament | Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 17 (2008) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) v India 6/13 (2008) |
| Most Matches | Mahela Jayawardene – 28 (2000–2014) Sri Lanka |
| Most Matches as Captain | Mahendra Singh Dhoni- 14 (2008–2018) |
| Highest Individual Score | Virat Kohli 183 (2012) vs Pakistan |
| Highest Team Score | Pakistan (385/7 (2010) v Bangladesh |
| Lowest Score | Bangladesh (87 (2000) v Pakistan |
| Highest Average | Angelo Mathews 82.75 (Sri Lanka) 2010–2018 |
Asia Cup ODI Cricket Past Winners
India has been the most successful team in the Asia Cup with 7 titles to their name. Sri Lanka have won the trophy 5 times. Pakistan won it twice in 2000 and 2012.
| Year | Team/Country |
|---|---|
| 1984 | India |
| 1986 | Sri Lanka |
| 1988 | India |
| 1994 | India |
| 1995 | India |
| 1997 | Sri Lanka |
| 2000 | Pakistan |
| 2004 | Sri Lanka |
| 2008 | Sri Lanka |
| 2010 | India |
| 2012 | Pakistan |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka |
| 2016 | India |
| 2018 | India |
| 2022 | Sri Lanka |
Bangladesh is the only other team to win the Asia Cup when they triumphed in the 2012 edition.
The Past 15 editions from 1984 to 2018 have witnessed some memorable matches and performances from Asian cricketing legends over the years.
The Growth of the Aisa Cup ODI Cricket
The Asia Cup has grown from just a 3 team affair in 1984 to a 10-team tournament in 2018. It gave associate teams like Hong Kong, Oman, UAE and Afghanistan a chance to compete against the more established Asian teams.
In the last 2 decades, the emergence of Afghanistan and UAE as competitive teams has increased interest in the Asia Cup. The growth of T20 cricket has also boosted its popularity.
Asia Cup 2023 Edition
The upcoming 2023 Asia Cup scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be the 16th edition of the tournament.
It will be played in the T20 format and feature 6 teams – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a qualifier.
The high-voltage matches between bitter rivals India and Pakistan will be the highlight of the tournament.
This edition promises to be a thrilling contest as teams gear up for the ICC World Cup later in the year.
