Top 5 lowest scores in the history of the Asia Cup

Bangladesh and Sri Lankan players in the Asia Cup

The Asia Cup 2022 is right around the corner and with various teams boasting of a competitive eleven, it promises to be an exciting tournament. The tournament will begin on the 27th of August with arch rivals Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan facing off each other. 

Over the years the Asia Cup has seen high scores, brilliant innings, terrific bowling spells etc. In this article we will be taking a look at the 5 lowest first innings scores in the history of the tournament. 

5. Bangladesh- 99/8 vs India, Chattogram 1988

At no. 5 we have Bangladesh's batting collapse against India at Chittagong Stadium in 1988. India won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch that supported the spin bowlers. Arshad Ayub led India's charge in dismantling the Bangladesh batting line-up, taking 3-20 in his nine overs with two maidens. On a sluggish pitch against a strong Indian bowling attack, none of the batters got going. India chased the target quite easily, in 26 overs with opener Navjot Singh Sidhu top scoring with 50* off 71 deliveries.

4. Sri Lanka- 96 vs India, Sharjah 1984

Next up is Sri Lanka vs India match in the 1984 Asia Cup. India won the toss and put the Lankans to bat first, a decision the Indians made full use of. Chetan Sharma and Madan Lal did not let the Sri Lankan innings take off at any stage as they both took three wickets a piece bowling out Sri Lanka for a paltry 96. Ranjan Madugalle top scored with 38 in an innings where only three people scored in double digits. India, on the other hand did not face any hiccups while chasing as Surinder Khanna's 51* helped India win the match by 10 wickets. 

3. Bangladesh- 94 vs Pakistan, Moratuwa 1986

Third on this list is a batting collapse caused by a legendary seamer in the 1986 Asia Cup. It was the 1986 Asia Cup and the early days of a certain left arm swing and seam bowler Wasim Akram who went onto become one of the greatest bowlers to have played the game. Akram tore apart the Bangladeshi batting line-up with his bowling figures of 4-19. He was ably supported by leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who took 3-15 and Pakistan bowled out Bangladesh for just 94 in 35.3 overs 

2. Pakistan- 83 vs India, Mirpur 2016

An India-Pakistan match is always high voltage and this match is no different. India won the toss and elected to bowl first on a Mirpur pitch that offered both swing and seam. Right from the start the Indian bowlers bowled tight lines and kept taking wickets at regular intervals. They did not let the Pakistani batters score freely at any point in their innings, dismissing them for just 83. Hardik Pandya was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-8 in 3.3 overs. 

1.UAE- 81/9 vs India, Mirpur 2016

India vs UAE at Mirpur

The lowest ever score in the Asia Cup came in the match between India and the UAE in Mirpur in 2016. UAE won the toss and elected to bat first. Even on a decent batting surface, U.A.E weren't able to capitalize on their decision to bat first. While the Indian bowlers ran riot from the other end, Shaiman Anwar scored more than half of his team's total score, top scoring with 43.

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