Asia Cup 2025: A Glimpse Into Tournament’s History and Winning Teams

As cricket fever grips Asia, the spotlight is on Dubai today where arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to face off in a high-voltage Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2025.

The excitement follows last night’s thrilling opener in the Super Four stage, where Bangladesh stunned Sri Lanka with a four-wicket victory. But beyond the present drama, the Asia Cup holds a legacy spanning over four decades, showcasing the evolution of Asian cricket and its champions.

Established in 1983 by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the Asia Cup was first held in Sharjah in 1984 with India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as participants. India topped the round-robin table to emerge as the inaugural champion. Designed to foster goodwill among Asian nations, the tournament has since grown in both stature and format.

Originally played exclusively in the ODI format, the competition now alternates between ODI and T20I formats—an adaptation introduced in 2016 to align with global ICC tournaments. Political tensions have at times disrupted the schedule, such as in 1993 when the tournament was canceled. Hybrid hosting models, like the 2023 edition co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have also been seen.

Over the years, the Asia Cup has been staged in several countries, including the UAE, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The 2025 edition is being hosted entirely in the UAE from September 9 to 28.

Asia Cup Champions:

• India – 8 titles (1984, 1988, 1990-91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2023)
• Sri Lanka – 6 titles (1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2022)
• Pakistan – 2 titles (2000, 2012)

India remains the most successful side in the tournament’s history, with Sri Lanka a close second, while Pakistan has lifted the trophy twice.