We know, ICC (International Cricket Council) is the administration board for cricket in the world. Just like it, ACC (Asian Cricket Council) is the board for cricket in Asia continent. In 1984, ACC announced to organize a multi-nation tournament for the Asian countries which are the members of council. Asia Cup is only of its kind tournament organized to contest between different countries of a continent.
The first Asia Cup was organized in Sharjah in UAE (United Arab Emirates) in 1984. India didn’t attended the 1986 Asia Cup because of some cricketing conflicts with Sri Lanka. Pakistan didn’t attended the 1990-91 Asia Cup because of its stressful political relations with India. Again, the Asia Cup which is supposed to be held in 1993 was cancelled because of same reasons. Then, after 2000, it was held in every 4 years but in 2008, ACC announced that the Asia Cup will be organised in every 2 years.
Then from 2016 onwards, ICC interfered and made a rule that Asia Cup will be organized in ODI (One Day International) and T20I (Twewnty20 International) format in rotations depending on the Upcoming big ICC tournament, seeing Asia Cup as a preparatory tournament. And then 2016 Asia cup was first one to be organized in T20I format because of upcoming ICC T20 WC. In 2020 and 2021 this tournament was cancelled because of Corona Pandemic.
Let’s take a look at Winners of ACC Asia Cup with Hosts and Runner-ups.
Asia Cup Winner List (1984 – 2023)
| S. No. | Year | Format | Host Country | Winner | Runner-up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1984 | ODI | UAE | India | Sri Lanka | India won via Round – Robin format |
| 2. | 1986 | ODI | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
| 3. | 1988 | ODI | Bangladesh | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 6 wickets |
| 4. | 1990 – 91 | ODI | India | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 7 wickets |
| 5. | 1995 | ODI | UAE | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 8 wickets |
| 6. | 1997 | ODI | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets |
| 7. | 2000 | ODI | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Pakistan won by 39 runs |
| 8. | 2004 | ODI | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka won by 25 runs |
| 9. | 2008 | ODI | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka won by 100 runs |
| 10. | 2010 | ODI | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 81 runs |
| 11. | 2012 | ODI | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Pakistan won by 2 runs |
| 12. | 2014 | ODI | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets |
| 13. | 2016 | T20I | Bangladesh | India | Bangladesh | India won by 8 wickets |
| 14. | 2018 | ODI | UAE | India | Bangladesh | India won by 3 wickets |
| 15. | 2022 | T20I | UAE | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Sri Lanka won by 23 runs |
| 16. | 2023 | ODI | Pakistan &Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 10 wickets |
It is said that, the upcoming edition of Asia Cup is going to be held in 2025 in Bangladesh in T20 format because there is a T20 world Cup in 2026. Once again all the Asian Cricket teams which are full members of ACC are going to fight for the title and to become the Asian Champion.
Some Important Stats of ACC Asia Cup (1984 – 2023)
Inaugural Champion – India
Current Champion – India (8th time winner)
Most successful team – India (8 titles)
Most runs as an individual – Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka (1,220)
Most wickets as an individual – Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka (33)
