Asia Cup 2022 will start from 27th August 2022 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the most awaited clash to take place on 28th August 2022 between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma-led India will be entering the tournament as defending champions and would be eyeing to maintain their winning record.
India are the most successful team in the Asia Cup history, having won the tournament seven times (six ODIs and one T20I) since the inaugural edition in 1984.
In 2022, Afghanistan and Bangladesh could prove to be tough contenders as they have the calibre to turn the game at any point.
In 2016, International Cricket Council (ICC) had decide that the Asia Cup would be play on a rotational basis between ODIs and T20Is.
So, 2016 mark the first season of Asia Cup in the shortest format and this year again it would be played as a 20-over game.
Asia Cup has always been one of the most premier tournaments in cricket world and it always drives excitement to know who will lift the trophy.
Winners of the Asia Cup since inaugural season in 1984
1984 : India
The first edition of the Asia Cup was host UAE in 1984 with just three teams: India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
India had face Sri Lanka in the final match and under Sunil Gavaskar’s leadership, the team lift the inaugural trophy.
India dominate the 1984 tournament as a whole as they top the points table, winning both their matches, securing eight points and then being crown as champions.
Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 107 runs and had won the Player of the Tournament award.
1986 : Sri Lanka
The second edition of the Asia Cup took place in Sri Lanka in 1986.
India did not participate in the tournament to mark their displeasure with Sri Lanka.
In 1985, India play a controversial series with Sri Lanka and further due to strain cricketing relations with the Lankans, India had pull out their name from the tournament.
In India’s absence, the hosts participate with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Under Duleep Mendis’ leadership, Sri Lanka defeate Pakistan by five wickets in the finals and lifted the trophy.
Arjuna Ranatunga, was the leading run-scorer of the tournament and got award with the Player of the tournament.
1988 : India
After missing the 1986 tournament, India came back a bang in 1988 edition held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Men in Blue defeat Sri Lanka by six wickets wherein Arshad Ayub bowled India to victory.
Ayub took nine wickets in the final match and took Dilip Vengsarkar-led Indian team to finish line.
Navjot Singh Sidhu’s innings was one of the finest from the tournament that bag him Player of the tournament award.
1990-91 : India
India host the 1990-91 Asia Cup and also became the winners of the tournament for the third time.
In this edition, Pakistan had pull out of the tournament due to soure political relations with India.
The hosts won their second consecutive title after defeating Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in the finals at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. From the tournament, Mohammad Azharuddin’s leadership with Kapil Dev’s bowling became the biggest talking points.
Kapil Dev display incredible bowling skills as he became the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 9 wickets.
1995 : India
In 1995, India made a hat-trick of titles by winning the Asia Cup.
The tournament was ideally suppose to be in 1993, but, was cancel due to strain political relations between India and Pakistan.
Azharuddin again show his prowess as the captain of the Indian team and defeate Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in the finals.
It was India’s fourth Asia Cup title.
1997 : Sri Lanka
In 1997, Asia Cup return to Sri Lanka and the hosts won the trophy for the second time under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga.
The Sri Lankans defeate the defending champions India by eight wickets in the finals at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Arjun Ranatunga play captain’s knock throughout the tournament as he end the tournament with a maximum of 272 runs, and won the Player of the tournament.
2000 : Pakistan
Entering into a new decade, the Asia Cup also got Pakistan as a new title winner.
Pakistan won their maiden Asia Cup after they defeat Sri Lanka by 39 runs in the final under Moin Khan’s leadership at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka.
Pakistan team had shown an all-around performance in the tournament as Yousuf Youhana became the leading run-scorer with 295 runs and Abdul Razzaq became the leading wicket-taker.
2004 : Sri Lanka
Asia Cup 2004 was quite different from the previous editions as for the first time, a total of six teams participate in the tournament.
Along with the leading Asian nations (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), the UAE and Hong Kong were also adds in the game.
Marvan Atapattu leadership took Sri Lanka to victory for the third time as they defeat India in the finals by 25 runs at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
2008 : Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka defend their Asia Cup title in 2008 under the captaincy of Mahela Jayawardene.
They again defeat India in the finals, this time by 100 runs at the National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan.
Ajantha Mendis won the Player of the Tournament as he took 17 wickets, while Sanath Jayasuriya scored 378 runs and was the leading run-scorer.
2010 : India
Team India won their fifth Asia Cup title in 2010 under the leadership of captain cool, MS Dhoni.
They finished second in the points table with nine points and in the finals, defeat the hosts Sri Lanka by 81 runs.
Dinesh Karthik was the main architect of the victory as he smash 66 runs in the finale at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.
2012 : Pakistan
Asia Cup 2012 is one of the most memorable seasons ever as Pakistan snatch the match from jaws of Bangladesh lions at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Mirpur Thana.
Bangladesh were just about to clinch their maiden title when they restrict Pakistan on 236/9 in 50 overs.
Tamim Iqbal (60) and Shakib Al Hasan (68) almost took Bangladesh to finish line but fell short of two runs.
Pakistan won their second Asia Cup title under the leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq wherein Pakistani pacer Umar Gul became the most successful bowler with 9 wickets.
2014 : Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews won the fifth Asia Cup title for the country in 2014.
They defeat Pakistan by 5 wickets in the finals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
Lasith Malinga was top-notch throughout the tournament and especially in the finals as he took 5 wicket haul to stop Pakistan on 260/5.
The Lankans easily chase down the target and lift the trophy.
Lahiru Thirimanne was the highest run-scorer of the tournament with 279 runs and for his excellence, he got award with Player of the Tournament.
2016 : India
MS Dhoni-led India won the first-ever T20I version of Asia Cup in 2016.
It was MS Dhoni’s second Asia Cup victory as a captain.
Team India defeat Bangladesh in a one-side match by 8 wickets in the finals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka.
With 7 balls to spare, India comfortably won the match and bag their sixth Asia Cup title since the inaugural season.
2018 : India
In 2018, India defend their Asia Cup title continuing their consistency and brilliant run in the tournament.
It look like a replica of 2016 season as India face Bangladesh yet again in the finals but in a 50-over format.
Rohit Sharma and team defeat Bangladesh by three wickets at the Dubai International Stadium.
Bangladesh were quite hopeful of clinching their maiden title but India chase down the 223-run target on the last ball and register their name in record books as they lifted the Asia Cup trophy for the 7 time.
Asia Cup 2022
Asia Cup was schedule in 2020 but due to Covid-19 pandemic, it was postpone to 2021 and then defer till 2023.
In October 2021, it was decide that Pakistan would host the tournament in 2023, and Sri Lanka will take charge of the 2022 edition.
But, due to economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the tournament shift to UAE.
The Asia Cup 2022 finale will be play on 11th September 2022 and India will be entering the tournament as favourites, it is to be seen whether Men in Blue add another feather to their cap or will the tournament see new title winners.
