The Asia Cup is a major international cricket tournament contested by the top six teams in Asia: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, and the recently added Nepal. The tournament is held every two years, and it is one of the most prestigious cricket tournaments in the world. It is an important for a number of reasons.
First, it provides a great opportunity for the top teams in Asia to compete against each other. This helps to improve the level of cricket in the region, and it also helps to create rivalries and excitement among fans.
Second, the Asia Cup is a major stepping stone for teams that are hoping to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup. The top two teams from the Asia Cup qualify automatically for the World Cup, and the third-placed team goes into a qualifying tournament.
Here are some interesting facts about the Asia Cup and its history in international cricket. The top bookmakers in India have Asia Cup odds with them.
- In the history of the ODI Asia Cup, a premier cricketing event in the Asian subcontinent, one remarkable stat stands out – only one Indian bowler has achieved the prestigious milestone of taking a 5-wicket haul in a single match. Arshad Ayub in 1988 stunned everyone with his performance in the tournament and became the first bowler from the Indian squad to pick a 5-wicket haul.
The stage was set for an intense showdown between India and Pakistan. In this high-stakes encounter, Arshad Ayub bowled brilliantly, exploiting the conditions and displaying his exceptional skills as a spinner. He managed to take five wickets in a single spell, conceding only 21 runs.
- While Team India has a storied history in the Asia Cup, there's one record they'd rather not highlight: the embarrassing distinction of conceding the most extras in the tournament's history. This record serves as a reminder of the team's occasional struggles with discipline in the field.
However, the most embarrassing part is that team India has done it twice against their arch-rivals Pakistan in 2000 and 2004. Men in Blue conceded 38 extras in both matches and lost both fixtures.
- The 2018 Asia Cup clash between India and Afghanistan will forever be etched in cricketing history as a thrilling encounter that ended in a dramatic tie. The match showcased the remarkable spirit and resilience of the Afghan cricket team and the relentless pursuit of victory by the Indian side.
Asia Cup started in 1984 and after 38 years, the tournament witnessed its first draw. This match was a testament to Afghanistan's rapid rise in international cricket and the unpredictable nature of the game itself.
- Sohail Tanvir's remarkable 5-wicket haul during the 2008 Asia Cup remains one of the standout moments in the tournament's history. Representing Pakistan, the left-arm fast-medium bowler delivered a breathtaking performance that demonstrated his prowess as a wicket-taker.
This extraordinary achievement occurred during a crucial match against India, a contest that always carries immense significance in the cricketing world. However, the interesting fact is that since his achievement, 7 Five-Wicket hauls have been registered and all belong to Sri Lankan bowlers.
- In the 2018 Asia Cup, Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricketing maestro, etched his name in the tournament's history with a memorable century. Facing Pakistan in a high-stakes match, Sharma showcased his unparalleled batting prowess by scoring an exquisite century, a stunning 111 runs.
This was his last century in the Asia Cup which was played in the ODI format but in the T20 format, Litton Das was the last batsman to register a century. This year, Rohit Sharma will be the leasing man for Team India and is expected to take the team to new heights.
