Asia Cup Finals Throughout The Years

Asia Cup Finals Throughout The Years (Source:@Criclovers554,x.com)

The buzz of the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup is just around the corner. The much-awaited prestigious tournament will take place from September 9 to 28, 2025. It is important to mention that India will enter the tournament as the defending champions. Taking a look at the stats and records, the 'Men In Blue' have built a strong legacy and have lifted the trophy eight times.

India will play their first match against the UAE on September 10, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium. On September 14, 2025, fans will witness the most-awaited and hyped game of the tournament, which is none other than India versus Pakistan. Lastly, India will face Oman on September 19. In this article, let's recall and take a look at historic Asia Cup finals throughout the years.

First Asia Cup Final 1984 - Sharjah, UAE

First Asia Cup Final - 1984 (Source:@ICC,x.com)

One of the most notable features of the first Asia Cup in 1984 was that only three teams took part in the marquee event. The first edition featured India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The first Asia Cup was also known as the Rothmans Cup. With remarkable performance under the leadership of  Sunil Gavaskar, Team India won the first edition and defeated Sri Lanka to become the champions. 

India remained undefeated in that tournament, winning all matches and returning home with the title. The Indian team had big names like Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Madan Lal and Chetan Sharma to lift the Asia Cup 1984.

Asia Cup Final 1986 - Colombo (SSC)

Asia Cup Final 1986 - Colombo (SSC) (Source:@Oam_16,x.com)

The second Asia Cup was played in 1986; the tournament was also known as the John Player Asia Cup 86. The event was played in  Sri Lanka between March 30 and April 6. It is important to mention that three teams took part in this edition - Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. 

India did not participate in this season due to disturbed and strained cricketing relations with Sri Lanka. In 1986, the matches were played in a round-robin format, with each team facing each other once, and the top two teams qualified for the finals. 

Pakistan won both its matches and qualified for the final. However, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan to win their first Asia Cup.

Asia Cup Final 1988 - Dhaka

Asia Cup Final 1988 - Dhaka (Source:@thecricketgully,x.com)

The Asia Cup Final 1988 is also known as the Wills Asia Cup. This was the third edition of the tournament, and four teams participated in the event - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the host nation, Bangladesh. 

The marquee tournament was played in Bangladesh from 26 October to 4 November 1988. In the final, India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets; Navjot Sidhu was named Player of the Series.

Asia Cup Final 1990-91 - Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Asia Cup Final 1990-91 - Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Source:@thecricketgully,x.com)

1990–91 Asia Cup was played in India between 25 December 1990 and 4 January 1991. It is vital to note that Pakistan pulled out of the tournament due to disturbed political relations with India. So, only three teams took part in the event - India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

India and Sri Lanka qualified for the final at Eden Gardens, in which 'Men In Blue' beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to win their second consecutive Asia Cup.

Asia Cup Final 1995 -  Sharjah, UAE

Asia Cup Final 1995 - Sharjah, UAE (Source:@thecricketgully,x.com)

The fifth edition of the Asia Cup was played in 1995 and was popularly known as the Pepsi Asia Cup. This was the second time that Sharjah, UAE, hosted the prestigious tournament. Four teams took part: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. 

In this edition,  India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all had four points at the end of the round stage, but India and Sri Lanka qualified further as both teams had better run-rates in comparison to Pakistan. However, in the final, India beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets to win its third consecutive Asia Cup.

Asia Cup Final 1997 - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Asia Cup Final 1997 - Colombo, Sri Lanka (Source:@thecricketgully,x.com)

In the sixth edition of the Asia Cup, four teams took part in the tournament - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The 1997 Asia Cup was held in Sri Lanka from July 14–26, 1997. That year, India and Sri Lanka qualified for the final. SL won by 8 wickets to win its second Asia Cup and ended India's three consecutive wins.

In 1997, Navjot Sidhu again won Player of the Series, with Sachin Tendulkar leading the runs board.

Asia Cup Final 2000 - Dhaka

Asia Cup Final 2000 - Dhaka (Source:@TheCricketWire,x.com)

In the much-anticipated 7th edition of the Asia Cup 2000, Pakistan won their first-ever title, beating Sri Lanka by  39 runs in the final. That year, the event took place in Bangladesh from 29 May to 7 June 2000. Four teams took part in the edition -  India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

The first time feature coloured player clothing was introduced in the 2000 Asia Cup.

Asia Cup Final 2004 - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Asia Cup Final 2004 - Colombo, Sri Lanka (Source:@cricfinity,x.com)

One of the striking features about the Asia Cup 2004 was that it was held in Sri Lanka after a gap of four years. This year, Sri Lanka beat India by 25 runs, and the event was also known as the Indian Oil Asia Cup. 

In this edition, along with India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the UAE and Hong Kong, as well as leading Asian associate nations, also participated.

Asia Cup Final 2008 - Karachi, Pakistan

Asia Cup Final 2008 - Karachi, Pakistan (Source:@ESPNcricinfo,x.com)

In 2008, the Asia Cup, also known as the Star Cricket Asia Cup, was played in ODI format and was held in Pakistan. In this edition, six teams participated: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Asian associate nations, the UAE and Hong Kong.

This was the first tournament that was hosted by Pakistan. SL won the tournament after beating India by 100 runs in the final.

Asia Cup Final 2010 - Dambulla

Asia Cup Final 2010 - Dambulla (Source:@thecricketgully,x.com)

In 2010, India won the final in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. This was 15 years after India lifted the Asia Cup under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The 'Men In Blue' defeated Sri Lanka and won the match by 81 runs. In the final, Dinesh Karthik played the classical knock and made 66 runs in 84 balls.

In this edition, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh took part in the competition.

Asia Cup Final 2012 - Dhaka

Asia Cup Final 2012 - Pakistan (Source:@ICC,x.com)

The 2012 Asia Cup final was played in Bangladesh and followed the ODI format. The final of the tournament was played between Pakistan and Bangladesh on 22 March 2012 in Dhaka at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

The event was played in a round-robin format with four full member national teams as participants: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India.

Asia Cup Final 2014 -  Dhaka

Asia Cup Final 2014 - Dhaka (Source:@toisports,x.com)

The Asia Cup 2014 was played in Bangladesh from 25 February to 8 March 2014, and was the 12th edition of the prestigious tournament. The tournament included the four Asian test-playing nations, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Along with these teams, Afghanistan was also included. 

In 2024, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the final to become Asia Cup champions for the fifth time.

Asia Cup Final 2016 - Sher-E-Bangla Cricket Stadium

Asia Cup Final 2016 - Sher-E-Bangla Cricket Stadium (Source:@ICC,x.com)

The Asia Cup 2016 was played in T20 format and the final of this edition was on 6 March 2016 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, between Bangladesh and India. In the ultimate final India defeated Bangladesh by 8 wickets to win their sixth Asia Cup title.

Talking about the group stage, India was the top-class team and defeated  Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates, to qualify in the final.

Asia Cup Final 2018 - Dubai International Stadium

Asia Cup Final 2018 - Dubai International Stadium (Source:@The_SportsTiger,x.com)

The 2018 Asia Cup Final was played between India and Bangladesh in Dubai. India were the defending champions, and retained their title by beating Bangladesh by three wickets in the final over.

It would not be wrong to say that this was one of the most memorable matches in the history of the tournament.  Shikhar Dhawan was awarded the Player of the Series.

Asia Cup Final 2022 - Dubai International Stadium

Asia Cup Final 2022 - Dubai International Stadium (Source:@WisdenIndia,x.com)

In the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup was played in T20I format with the final on 11 September 2022 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, in this year's edition India was eliminated  in the Super Four stage and did not qualify for the finals. 

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 23 runs to win the final and lift the trophy for 6th time.

Asia Cup Final 2023 - R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Asia Cup Final 2023 (Source:@CricCrazyJohns,x.com)

In Colombo, India crushed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final, bowling them out for just 50. Sri Lanka's total of 50 is the lowest total in any ODI tournament final. The final of the tournament was played on 17 September 2023 in Colombo. 

In 2023 Asia Cup, six teams participated in the event - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

FAQs: Asia Cup Finals History

Q.1. How many Asia Cup finals has India won?

Answer: India is the most successful team in Asia Cup history, winning 8 titles since the tournament began in 1984.

Q.2. Which is the most successful team in Asia Cup?

Answer: India have been the most successful team in Asia Cup's history with eight titles (seven ODI and one T20I).

Q.3. Is Virat Kohli playing the Asia Cup 2025?

Answer: Virat Kohli will not play in the Asia Cup 2025. 

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