List of Asia Cup Winners from 1984-2023: The Asia Cup holds a special place in the hearts of cricket fans across Asian full member countries, right after the prestigious Cricket World Cup. It all began 39 years ago in 1984, shortly after the formation of the Asian Cricket Council in 1983.
Since then, we have witnessed 15 thrilling editions of this tournament, with the 16th edition just around the corner.
The upcoming Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from 31st August to 17th September, promises to be another exciting chapter in cricket history.
India has undoubtedly been the most successful team in the Asia Cup, clinching the title 7 times. Following closely behind, Sri Lanka has secured 6 trophies, including their recent triumph in the T20 format in 2022 held in the UAE.
Meanwhile, Pakistan proudly holds 2 titles, while Bangladesh continues to strive for their first-ever victory in this prestigious tournament.
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Top Performer in Asia Cup Each Year (Batting and Bowling)
| Year | Top Batting | Runs | Top Bowling | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Surinder Khanna (India) | 107 | Ravi Shastri (India) | 4 |
| 1986 | Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) | 105 | Abdul Qadir (Pakistan) | 9 |
| 1988 | Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) | 272 | Kapil Dev (India) | 9 |
| 1990-91 | Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 346 | Aaqib Javed (Pakistan) | 11 |
| 1995 | Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) | 231 | Anil Kumble (India) | 10 |
| 1997 | Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 309 | Aaqib Javed (Pakistan) | 16 |
| 2000 | Sourav Ganguly (India) | 348 | Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) | 11 |
| 2004 | Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) | 256 | Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) | 10 |
| 2008 | Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) | 343 | Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) | 17 |
| 2010 | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) | 384 | Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) | 9 |
| 2012 | Virat Kohli (India) | 357 | Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) | 10 |
| 2014 | Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) | 248 | Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) | 7 |
| 2016 | Sabbir Rahman (Bangladesh) | 176 | Al-Amin Hossain (Bangladesh) | 11 |
| 2018 | Shikhar Dhawan (India) | 342 | Kuldeep, Rashid, Mustafizur | 10 |
| 2022 | Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) | 281 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) | 11 |
Here is the table of winners of the Asia Cup from 1984 to 2022:
| Year | Host | Winner | Runners Up | Winning Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | UAE | India | Sri Lanka | Sunil Gavaskar |
| 1986 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Duleep Mendis |
| 1988 | Bangladesh | India | Sri Lanka | Dilip Vengsarkar |
| 1990 | India | India | Sri Lanka | Mohammad Azharuddin |
| 1995 | UAE | India | Sri Lanka | Mohammad Azharuddin |
| 1997 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India | Arjuna Ranatunga |
| 2000 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Moin Khan |
| 2004 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India | Marvan Atapattu |
| 2008 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | India | Mahela Jayawardene |
| 2010 | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka | MS Dhoni |
| 2012 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Misbah Ul Haq |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Angelo Matthews |
| 2016 | Bangladesh | India | Bangladesh | MS Dhoni |
| 2018 | UAE | India | Bangladesh | Rohit Sharma |
| 2022 | UAE | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Dasun Sanaka |
| 2023 | Pakistan & Sri Lanka | – | – | – |
Asia Cup 1984 Winner
In the inaugural edition of the Asia Cup held in 1984, it was India who emerged as the victorious team. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) hosted this historic event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as the only participating nations.
Although the tournament consisted of just three matches, it was a memorable one for Indian cricket. Surinder Khanna, a talented Indian batter, shone brightly throughout the tournament, emerging as the highest run-scorer with an impressive tally of 107 runs.
On the bowling front, Ravi Shastri showcased his skills and topped the charts with four crucial wickets. Sunil Gavaskar, etched his name in history as the first captain to lift the prestigious Asia Cup trophy.
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Asia Cup 1986 Winner
In the second edition of the Asia Cup held in 1986, Sri Lanka emerged as the triumphant team, securing their place on the winners’ list.
The tournament featured Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and, notably, India was absent due to strained relations with the hosts.
After two matches each, Sri Lanka and Pakistan found themselves facing off in a thrilling final held in Colombo. The match turned out to be a low-scoring nail-biter, with Sri Lanka, also known as the Blue Lions, defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets.
The Lankan skipper, Arjuna Ranatunga, led his team from the front and displayed exceptional batting skills throughout the tournament. He emerged as the highest run-scorer, accumulating a total of 105 runs, playing a pivotal role in his team’s success.
On the bowling front, Pakistani leg-spinner Abdul Qadir left his mark, bagging the most wickets in the series with 9 Wickets in his bag.
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1988 Asia Cup Winner
The 1988 edition of the Asia Cup marked a significant milestone as it was the first time the tournament was hosted in Bangladesh.
The event brought together four teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the host nation Bangladesh. The teams faced each other once in six matches, setting the stage for an exciting competition.
In a thrilling repeat of the 1st edition of the tournament, India and Sri Lanka found themselves once again facing each-other in the final, which took place in Dhaka. With a remarkable display of skill and determination, India emerged victorious, defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets to claim their second Asia Cup title.
In 1988 Asia Cup, Pakistani batter Ijaz Ahmed showcased his batting prowess and emerged as the top run-scorer, accumulating an impressive total of 192 runs.
On the bowling front, it was Indian spin maestro Arshad Ayub who left a lasting impact, taking an impressive 9 wickets throughout the season. Ayub’s outstanding performance made him the highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
1990-91 Asia Cup Winner
In the 4th edition of the Asia Cup held in the 1990-91 season, the host nation India triumphed once again, lifting the prestigious Asia Cup trophy for the third time. In an enthralling final, India faced Sri Lanka and emerged victorious, winning by 7 wickets.
This edition of the tournament saw the absence of Pakistan due to strained relations with India. Nevertheless, the competition remained fierce and captivating. Arjuna Ranatunga, the Sri Lankan cricketer, became the top-scorer for his team in the final, contributing 49 runs.
Ranatunga’s stellar performance also earned him the distinction of being the highest run-scorer of Asia Cup 1990-91, accumulating a total of 166 runs throughout the event.
On the bowling front, it was the legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev who left his mark. With remarkable skill and determination, Dev became the standout bowler of the tournament. He claimed 9 wickets in just 3 games, including an impressive performance of 4/31 in the finals.
1995 Asia Cup Winner
The 5th edition of the Asia Cup, held in Sharjah in 1995, marked a significant return to the tournament’s historical venue. This time, the competition followed a round-robin format, ensuring that all 7 matches were completed, adding to the excitement.
In an unfortunate turn of events for Sri Lanka, they found themselves in the final for the third consecutive time but faced defeat once again, this time losing by 8 wickets. The Indian team showcased their exceptional skills and emerged victorious, etching their name on the Asia Cup winners’ chart for the 5th time.
Sachin Tendulkar stood out as the highest-scorer, leaving a lasting impact with his remarkable performances. On the other hand, Anil Kumble, the renowned Indian spinner, claimed the most wickets.
1997 Asia Cup Winner
In 1997, Sri Lanka had the honor of hosting the Asia Cup for the second time. The 6th edition of the tournament featured fierce competition among Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
This time, Sri Lanka found redemption for their previous losses in the finals as they faced India in a highly anticipated clash held in Colombo, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, defeating India by 8 wickets in a commanding fashion.
The Sri Lankan skipper, Arjuna Ranatunga, once again shows his batting skills and led the run charts for the third time in the Asia Cup. His remarkable tally of 272 runs played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s success.
2000 Asia Cup Winner
The 7th edition of the Asia Cup took place in Bangladesh, and it marked a significant milestone for Pakistan as they ended their trophy drought. In an intense final held in Dhaka, Pakistan emerged victorious, defeating the defending champions Sri Lanka by 39 runs and clinching the title as the new Asia Cup winners.
While Pakistan celebrated their triumph, India had a mixed performance with just one win out of three matches. Bangladesh, unfortunately, failed to register a victory in the championship, facing tough competition from the other teams.
Pakistani batter Yousuf Yohana stood out with his remarkable batting skills, securing the record for the most runs in the tournament with a total of 295 runs. On the bowling front, Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq claimed a total of 8 wickets and securing the record for the most wickets in the championship.
2004 Asia Cup Winner
The 2004 edition of the Asia Cup marked the inclusion of two new teams, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), joining the existing teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The tournament format involved dividing the teams into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super 4 stage, where they played three matches each.
In an exciting final, Sri Lanka showcased their dominance, defeating India by 25 runs to secure their third Asia Cup title. The Sri Lankan team delivered a stellar performance, leaving a lasting impression with their cricketing skills.
Among the individual performances, Pakistani batter Shoaib Malik became the highest run scorer of the tournament with an impressive tally of 316 runs. On the bowling front, it was the Indian “Swing King” Irfan Pathan who made his mark, grabbing the most wickets with a remarkable haul of 14 Wickets.
2008 Asia Cup Winner
In 2008, Pakistan had the honor of hosting the Asia Cup for the first time. The tournament featured the same six participants as the previous edition: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Sanath Jayasuriya made history by scoring the most runs in a single Asia Cup edition, accumulating a staggering 378 runs. On the bowling front, Ajantha Mendis, known for his mysterious spin, mesmerized batsmen and broke records by claiming 17 wickets, the highest in a single edition of the Asia Cup.
In the final held in Karachi, Sri Lanka demonstrated their dominance in every department of the game. They outperformed India and secured a convincing victory by 100 runs, claiming their fourth Asia Cup title.
2010 Asia Cup Winner
The 2010 Asia Cup took place in Sri Lanka from June 15th to June 24th in Dambulla. The tournament featured four teams: Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In a thrilling final, India faced Sri Lanka for the eighth time in an Asia Cup final and emerged as the champions, securing victory by 81 runs.
Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi emerged as the highest run-scorer, scoring an impressive total of 265 runs. On the bowling front, veteran Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga left his mark, claiming 9 wickets and becoming the highest wicket taker in the tournament.
2012 Asia Cup Winner
The 2012 Asia Cup, the 11th edition of the tournament, was hosted by Bangladesh at the Sher-E-Bangla Stadium. Once again, the battle for the title featured teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. In a thrilling final, Pakistan emerged victorious, defeating first-time finalist Bangladesh by a narrow margin of 2 runs.
Virat Kohli had a phenomenal tournament with the bat, emerging as the top scorer. Kohli showcased his exceptional skills, accumulating a whopping 365 runs throughout the championship. On the bowling front, Umar Gul from Pakistan conquered the bowling charts, taking 9 wickets and leaving his mark on the tournament.
2014 Asia Cup Winner
In 2014, the Asia Cup saw the inclusion of Afghanistan, making their debut in the tournament alongside India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
After playing four matches each, Sri Lanka and Pakistan secured their spots in the top two and advanced to the finals, held at the esteemed Sher-E-Bangla Stadium in Bangladesh. It was there that Sri Lanka lifted their fifth Asia Cup title, defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets in an exciting match.
Lahiru Thirimanne emerged as the Man of the Match in the Final, displaying an impressive performance as he smashed most runs in the tournament, totaling 279 runs.
On the bowling front, both Lasith Malinga from Sri Lanka and Saeed Ajmal from Pakistan showcased their skills by claiming the most wickets, with each player taking 9 Wickets in the championship.
2016 Asia Cup Winner
The 2016 Asia Cup marked the first-ever edition of the tournament in the T20 format. Five teams, namely India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the host nation Bangladesh, participated in this championship.
India had a dominant run, winning all their group games and eventually defeating the hosts in the final with 8 wickets and 7 balls to spare.
During the tournament, Bangladeshi batter Sabbir Rahman emerged as the highest run-scorer, amassing an impressive total of 176 runs.
On the bowling front, pacer Al Amin was exceptional, becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with a tally of 11 wickets.
2018 Asia Cup Winner
In the 2018 Asia Cup held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India emerged as the champions, securing victory in the final against Bangladesh by 3 wickets under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. The tournament featured six teams: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, divided into two groups.
In Group A, India and Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals, while Afghanistan and Bangladesh made their way from Group B. Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan played very well throughout the tournament and emerged as the highest run-scorer with an impressive total of 342 runs.
On the bowling front, three players jointly held the record for the highest number of wickets. Kuldeep Yadav from India, Rashid Khan from Afghanistan, and Mustafizur Rahman from Bangladesh all claimed 10 wickets each.
2022 Asia Cup Winner
The 2022 Asia Cup marked the second edition of the tournament in the T20 format, hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The same six teams as the previous edition competed in this installment. The grand final took place at the Dubai International Stadium, featuring Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In a commanding performance, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs to secure their sixth Asia Cup title and their first in the shortest format of the game.
Mohammad Rizwan, the Pakistani wicket-keeper batman, emerged as the highest run-scorer in the tournament, amassing a total of 281 runs. On the bowling front, Indian pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar shone brightly, claiming the most wickets with an impressive haul of 11 wickets.
