Top 5 Most Successful Asia Cup Teams (ODI)

India are defending Asia Cup (ODI) champions [Source: Twitter]

Asia's premier One-Day International (ODI) tournament, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) organised Asia Cup 2023 is upon us, where subcontinental giants like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka will fight it out.

The six-nation competition will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with the tourney beginning August 30. The tournament holds a rich history, having made its debut in 1984 as means to promote goodwill within Asian nations via cricket.

In 13 editions of the continental championship, India have won six times, Sri Lanka came out victorious five times, and Pakistan clinched the trophy two times.

However, if the T20I edition of the Asia Cup is taken into consideration, India in totality has won seven times, and Sri Lanka closely follows them with six. 

A total of seven Asian countries have participated in Asia Cup since its inception, and Nepal will be the eighth country to enter the foray, when it takes the field on August 30. 

In this article, we list down the Top 5 most successful teams (win%-wise). 

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka last won Asia Cup ODI in 2014 [Source: Twitter]

As a shock to many, Sri Lanka are the most successful side in the Asia Cup (ODI), having made its debut in 1984. Winner of the second-ever Asia Cup in 1988, which did not feature India, the Lankan Lions have been a force to reckon with in Asia since winning the 1996 World Cup.

Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya is the leading run-getter in Asia Cup (ODI) with Kumar Sangakkara occupying the second position, emphasising their dominance in the championship. Overall in 50 matches, the five-time winners have won 34 and lost 16.  

India

India have won Asia Cup (ODI) six times [Source: Twitter]

Despite winning the most Asia Cup trophies, India falls just short of Sri Lanka's win percentage. The winner of the inaugural edition, India dominated the competition between 1988 and 1995, winning consecutively three times before Sri Lanka broke the streak.

India did not participate in 1988 edition, citing political tensions with Sri Lanka, who were the designated host in that year. In 49 matches, Team India prevailed 31 times, while failing in 16, with one tie and no-result each.  Interestingly, no Indian captain has managed to win the Asia Cup twice. 

Pakistan

Pakistan were Asia Cup 2012 winners [Source: Twitter]

Having played in the first-ever edition, Pakistan had to wait 14 years before getting their hands on the coveted trophy. Narrowly missing out in 1988, Pakistan guarded 278 against then-defending champions Sri Lanka in 2000 and lifted their maiden title.

Their second triumph came in 2012 when they edged Bangladesh by two runs in one of the most nail-biting ODI finals. Overall, Pakistan in 45 matches, have won 26, lost 18, and one ended in no result. 

Pakistan withdrew from the 1990-91 edition due to geo-political tensions with host India. 

Afghanistan

Afghanistan have featured in two Asia Cups (ODI) [Source: Twitter]

The latest entrant in the Asia Cup (ODI), Afghanistan played their first tournament in 2014. Still young in the ODI format, Afghanistan made instant hype by beating Bangladesh in their maiden outing. In the 2018 edition, Afghanistan riding on their spinners notched up wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and managed to reach the Super Four stage for the first time.

In nine matches, Afghanistan have won three, lost five, and tied one. 

Bangladesh 

Bangladesh came runner-up in 2018 edition [Source: Twitter]

Despite being one of the oldest sides in the competition, Bangladesh have not won the Asia Cup (ODI).  After finishing six times as No.4, Bangladesh reached their first-ever final in 2012, where they missed the title by a whisker, losing to Pakistan by two runs. 

The Bangla Tigers made their second final (ODI) appearance in 2018 in UAE, where they met a rampaging India, who denied them the title.  In 43 matches, Bangladesh have won just seven, and lost 36; the most for any nation (participating).

What are top 5 most successful teams in Asia Cup? (win%-wise)