Who has won the Asia Cup the most times? Winners list and History
By Akanksha - 2023-07-27 23:09:52
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Cricket is more than just a sport; it's a way of life in the Asian subcontinent. The Asia Cup, one of the most esteemed international One-Day International (ODI) tournaments, has been an integral part of this cricketing legacy since its inception in 1983. Governed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the tournament has seen fierce battles among Asian cricketing giants, creating memorable moments etched in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts.
Asia Cup History
The Asia Cup came into existence in 1983, when the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) was formed. Its primary aim was to provide a platform for ACC member countries to compete at the highest level in ODI cricket. The tournament was initially scheduled to be held every couple of years. However, due to various factors, the frequency of the Asia Cup has varied over time.
Asia Cup Winners List (1984 - 2022)
Let's take a look at the Asia Cup winners and runner-ups from 1984 to 2022:
Edition | Year | Host | Champion | Runner-up |
1st | 1984 | UAE | India | Sri Lanka |
2nd | 1986 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
3rd | 1988 | Bangladesh | India | Sri Lanka |
4th | 1990 | India | India | Sri Lanka |
5th | 1995 | UAE | India | Sri Lanka |
6th | 1997 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India |
7th | 2000 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
8th | 2004 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India |
9th | 2008 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | India |
10th | 2010 | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka |
11th | 2012 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Bangladesh |
12th | 2014 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
13th | 2016 | Bangladesh | India | Bangladesh |
14th | 2018 | UAE | India | Bangladesh |
15th | 2022 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
Asia Cup Most Winners:
India holds the record for winning the Asia Cup the most number of times, claiming the trophy on seven occasions. Sri Lanka follows closely with six victories, while Pakistan secured the title twice.
Country | Titles | Runner-up | Winning Years |
India | 7 | 3 | 1984, 1988, 1991, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018 |
Sri Lanka | 6 | 6 | 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2022 |
Pakistan | 2 | 3 | 2000, 2012 |
No other country has won the Asia Cup apart from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Bangladesh, despite reaching the final three times, is yet to lift the coveted trophy.
Also Read: Who are 3 Indian Players’ that may Retired After ICC World Cup 2023?
Asia Cup Winning Captains List:
The captaincy role is pivotal in any cricketing triumph, and here are the winning captains who led their teams to glory in the Asia Cup.
Edition | Year | Team | Captain |
1st | 1984 | India | Sunil Gavaskar |
2nd | 1986 | Sri Lanka | Duleep Mendis |
3rd | 1988 | India | Dilip Vengsarkar |
4th | 1990 | India | Mohammad Azharuddin |
5th | 1995 | India | Mohammad Azharuddin |
6th | 1997 | Sri Lanka | Arjuna Ranatunga |
7th | 2000 | Pakistan | Moin Khan |
8th | 2004 | Sri Lanka | Marvan Atapattu |
9th | 2008 | Sri Lanka | Mahela Jayawardene |
10th | 2010 | India | MS Dhoni |
11th | 2012 | Pakistan | Misbah-ul-Haq |
12th | 2014 | Sri Lanka | Angelo Mathews |
13th | 2016 | India | MS Dhoni |
14th | 2018 | India | Rohit Sharma |
15th | 2022 | Sri Lanka | Dasun Shanaka |
16th | 2023 | TBD | TBD |
Brief Overview of Asia Cup Editions
Let's explore some memorable moments and key statistics from select editions of the Asia Cup:
- Asia Cup 1984: The inaugural edition of the Asia Cup was held in 1984 in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament featured three teams - India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. India emerged victorious, winning two out of three matches to claim the maiden Asia Cup trophy. Matches were played at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in Sharjah. Surinder Khanna was the Player of the Series, while Ravi Shastri topped the wicket-takers' list.
- Asia Cup 1986: The second edition took place in Sri Lanka, but India chose not to participate due to strained relations with the host nation. The tournament featured three teams - Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Sri Lanka emerged as the champions, defeating Pakistan in the final by five wickets.
- Asia Cup 1988: Bangladesh hosted the third edition, which saw four teams - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh - competing. India won the tournament, defeating Sri Lanka in the final by six wickets. Navjot Sidhu was the Player of the Series, while Ijaz Ahmed and Arshad Ayub topped the runs and wickets charts, respectively.
- Asia Cup 1995: The fifth edition returned to the UAE and featured four teams - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. India secured their fourth Asia Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka in the final by eight wickets. Navjot Sidhu, Sachin Tendulkar, and Anil Kumble were the standout performers of the tournament.
- Asia Cup 1997: Sri Lanka hosted the sixth edition, featuring four teams - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Sri Lanka won the title, defeating India in the final by eight wickets. Arjuna Ranatunga and Venkatesh Prasad were the key players for their respective teams.
- Asia Cup 2000: Bangladesh hosted the seventh edition, which witnessed the introduction of the Super Fours stage. Four teams - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh - participated, with Hong Kong joining as a new team. Pakistan emerged victorious, defeating Sri Lanka in the final by 39 runs.
- Asia Cup 2004: The eighth edition, hosted by Sri Lanka, brought a revamped format with the introduction of the Super Fours stage. Hong Kong and UAE were introduced as new teams, making it a six-team tournament. Sri Lanka emerged as the champions, defeating India in a thrilling final by 25 runs.
- Asia Cup 2008: Pakistan hosted the ninth edition, which followed the same format as the previous edition. Sri Lanka clinched the title, defeating India in the final by 100 runs. Ajantha Mendis was the Player of the Series, while Sanath Jayasuriya and Mendis topped the runs and wickets charts, respectively.
- Asia Cup 2010: Sri Lanka hosted the tenth edition, which featured four test-playing nations - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. India emerged as champions, defeating Sri Lanka in the final by 81 runs. Shahid Afridi was the Player of the Series, and he also topped the runs and wickets charts.
- Asia Cup 2012: Bangladesh hosted the eleventh edition, featuring the same four test-playing nations. Pakistan secured the title, defeating Bangladesh in the final by 2 runs. Shakib Al Hasan, Virat Kohli, and Umar Gul were the standout performers of the tournament.
- Asia Cup 2014: The twelfth edition returned to Bangladesh, adding Afghanistan as a new team to the mix. Sri Lanka claimed the title, defeating Pakistan in the final by 5 wickets. Lahiru Thirimanne was the Player of the Series, while Lasith Malinga and Saeed Aj
12. Asia Cup 2016:
- Bangladesh hosted the thirteenth edition, which witnessed the first-ever Asia Cup in the Twenty20 (T20) format.
- India emerged victorious, defeating Bangladesh in the final by 8 wickets.
- Shikhar Dhawan was the Player of the Match in the final, while Sabbir Rahman was the Player of the Series.
13. Asia Cup 2018:
- The fourteenth edition returned to the UAE, featuring six teams - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
- India claimed their seventh Asia Cup title, defeating Bangladesh in the final by 3 wickets.
- Shikhar Dhawan was the Player of the Series, while Rashid Khan and Yousuf Youhana topped the wickets and runs charts, respectively.
Also Read: 5 Most consecutive innings in Test cricket without a single digit run
The Asia Cup has become an integral part of cricketing heritage in Asia, showcasing the fierce competition and sportsmanship among the cricketing giants of the continent.
Over the years, cricket enthusiasts have witnessed remarkable performances, nail-biting finishes, and breathtaking displays of talent. India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have emerged as the dominant forces, with Bangladesh knocking on the door, eager to clinch their first Asia Cup title.
As the Asia Cup moves forward, it will continue to be a stage for cricketing legends to be born and memories to be cherished for a lifetime. The tournament remains a testament to the passion and love for cricket in Asia, unifying nations through the spirit of the game.
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