It is the most competitive regional tournament in world cricket. Asia Cup was established in 1983, before the inaugural tournament kicked off in 1984.
So far, out of the 12 tournaments played, Sri Lanka and India have won 5 titles each while Pakistan has won two. This year, the tournament will be introduced to the T20 format for the first time. It will be played in Bangladesh for the third consecutive time. Sri Lanka will be the defending Asian champions with their win over Pakistan by 5 wickets during the 2014 finals.
Down memory lane…..
Inaugural edition – 1984
The first edition of the Asia cup was held in 1984 at Sharjah, UAE. The tournament commenced on 6th April as Sri Lanka took on Pakistan. Sri Lanka recorded a 5 wicket win and became the first team to seal a victory in Asia Cup history. Batting first, Pakistan was able to reach only 187 runs, thanks to a solitary inning of 47 runs by Zaheer Abbas. The Sri Lankans reached the target easily with Roy Dias being the top scorer with 57 runs. The encounter was also the inaugural ODI hosted at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium which subsequently became the first venue to host 200 ODI games.
However later India came on to beat both Sri Lanka and Pakistan to emerge champions. The Man of the Series award was given to Surinder Khanna who scored 107 runs during the tournament.
Sri Lanka’s moment of Glory – 1986
The hosting rights for the 1986 Asia cup were given to Sri Lanka. India did not take part in the tournament due to strained Cricketing relations while Bangladesh made its debut appearance. After Pakistani skipper Imran Khan’s complains about the standards of umpiring, Cricket Board then President, late Mr. Gamini Dissanayake took measures to bring in the finest umpires at the time, Dickie Bird and David Shepherd. Although losing the opening game to Pakistan, the hosts entered the final by beating Bangladesh by 7 wickets in their deciding group game played at Asgiriya, Kandy.
The final took place at SSC on 6th April 1986 where Sri Lanka met Pakistan for the second time in the tournament. In a 45-over game, batting first Pakistan scored 191/9 with Javed Miandad top scoring with 67. Right arm seamer Kaushik Amalean recorded his career best 4 for 46 to dismantle the Pakistani batting line up. Sri Lanka reached the target losing just 5 wickets with 2 overs to spare. Arjuna Ranatunga who scored 57 runs in the final also became the Man of the Series with 105 runs. Abdul Qadir ended up as the most successful bowler with 9 wickets for the tournament. A public holiday was declared by President Jayawardene to commemorate the first major cricket title the Sri Lankans won. It was also the first multi-national cricket series hosted by the island nation.
Bangladesh hosts it – 1988
In 1988, the third edition was held in Bangladesh for the first time as the defending champions Sri Lanka were defeated by India in the final by 6 wickets giving them their second title. Against Bangladesh, Ijaz Ahmed scored 124* becoming the first centurion in Asia Cup history and also went on to become the tournament top scorer with 192 runs.
Disappointment for the Lions, rejoice for India – 1990/91, 1995
It was a disappointing run for the Sri Lankans in the following tournaments 1990/91 and 1995 as they lost both finals to India. The 1990/91 edition ended up with Ranatunga becoming the top scorer with 166 runs while Kapil Dev grabbed 9 wickets. Pakistan did not feature in the 1990/91 tournament as they pulled out due to political issues with the host nation India.
The increase in tensions between in India and Pakistan at the time resulted in the cancellation of the 1993 tournament which was due to be held in Pakistan. The 1995 Asia Cup was held in UAE after 11 years. India emerged victorious in the finals against Sri Lanka for the third successive time in history. Sachin Tendulkar emerged as the tournament top scorer with 205 runs while Anil Kumble took 7 wickets. Navjot Sidhu claimed the Man of the Series award.
The Lions rise again – 1997
Sri Lanka’s best opportunity to end the hoodoo came in the 6th edition of the Asia Cup in 1997 when the world champions hosted the tournament for the first time after 1986. During the round robin stage Arjuna Ranatunga scored the first ton for the Lions in Asia Cup history with an unbeaten 131 runs against India. On July 26th, Sri Lanka met India for the 5th successive time in the finals at the R.Premadasa Stadium. However this time fortune favoured the Lankans as they secured the famous ‘Pepsi Asia Cup’ with a commanding 8 wicket win over India. Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga became Man of the Series.
Pakistan with the throne – 2000
Sri Lanka couldn’t defend their title in the following tournament in 2000 where Pakistan emerged victorious for the first time. Mohammad Yousuf claimed the award for the best player of the tournament.
Sri Lanka with consecutive triumphs – 2004, 2008
The 2004 tournament, better known as ‘Indian Oil Asia Cup’ saw two more teams enter the tournament for the first time, Hong Kong and UAE. Host nation Sri Lanka emerged as champions by beating familiar foes India in by 25 runs in the final. Although the Sri Lankans were able to score only 228/9 in 50 overs, an excellent bowling display especially Upul Chandana’s 3 for 33 ensured a close win for the Lions. ‘Master Blaster’ Sanath Jayasuriya was named player of the tournament.
The fairy tale run continued for the Sri Lankans as they went on to defend their Asian Crown in the 2008 tournament held in Pakistan. The finals played between Sri Lanka and India saw the emergence of a young ‘mystery spinner’ Ajantha Mendis. After posting a total of 273, Sri Lanka took the field with hopes of defending their title. A brilliant start for the Indians was spearheaded by Virender Sehwag. His 60 off just 36 deliveries was cut short by youngster Mendis who removed him at a crucial point. He then went on to grab another 5 wickets which demolished the strong Indian batting line up for 173 runs giving a comprehensive 100 run win for the Sri Lankans. Jayasuriya’s 125 off 114 was overshadowed by Ajantha Mendis’s 6 for 13 which earned him both Man of the Match and Series awards in which he also ended the tournament with 17 wickets.
India after 15 years – 2010
The 10th edition was held in Sri Lanka with India winning the finals against the hosts in Dambulla by 81 runs. India won the title for a record 5th time plus after a lapse of 15 years. It was also the first time a host nation lost an Asia Cup final.
Bangladesh fall inches from the Crown – 2012
The 2012 Asia Cup saw Pakistan and Bangladesh going into the final battle, which was also the first time not to feature Sri Lanka in an Asia Cup finale. Pakistan won their second title after a thrilling 2 run win over Bangladesh.
Records
Team records
Most titles – India, Sri Lanka (5 each)
Highest winning percentage – Sri Lanka (70% – P 48 W 34 L 14)
Batting records
Most runs – Sanath Jayasuriya (1220 runs)
Most runs in one tournament – Sanath Jayasuriya (378 runs in 2008)
Highest average – MS Dhoni (95.16)
Highest strike rate – Shahid Afridi (140.74)
Most centuries – Sanath Jayasuriya (6)
Bowling records
Most wickets – M. Muralitharan (30 wickets)
Best average – Iqbal Qasim (4.33)
Best economy rate – Kirti Azad (1.00)
Best strike rate – Ashan Priyanjan (9.00)
Best bowling in an innings – Ajantha Mendis (6 for 13, vs India at Karachi 2008)
Most wickets in a tournament – Ajantha Mendis (17 wickets in 2008)
Individual
Most matches – Mahela Jayawardene (28 matches)
Most matches as captain – Arjuna Ranatunga, MS Dhoni (13 each)
The 2016 tournament is expected to produce riveting thrills and spills during the process to crown the new champions of Asia.
