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The T20 Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 in UAE. The eight teams are gearing up for the tournament. Weeks ahead of the tournament opener, here is a brief history of the Asia Cup.
When was ACC formed and first edition of Asia Cup took place?
In 1983, the Asian Cricket Council was formed. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore were the original members of the ACC. It was aimed to promote and develop the game in Asia. The first edition of the Asia Cup took place in Sharjah, UAE.
It was in 2009 the decision was taken to organise the tournament every two years. In 2016, the tournament took place in the T20 format to help the teams prepare for the T20 World Cup in the same year.
Have India pulled out of the Asia Cup before?
There are many calls from India, including former cricketers, to pull out of the tournament due to Pahalgam terrorist attack which was followed by Operation Sindoor which is still ongoing. India have pulled out of the tournament before as well.
In year 1986, India boycotted the Asia Cup amidst political tensions with Sri Lanka. In the Asia Cup 1990-91, Pakistan opted out of the tournament due to political tensions as well. In 1993, the tournament was cancelled due to India-Pakistan conflict.
Which team has won the most Asia Cup titles
This will the 17th edition of the Asia Cup. India have won the title eight times, including one in T20s. India are defending champions as they romped over Sri Lanka in the previous edition's final with a 10-wicket win. India are followed by Sri Lanka who have won six Asia Cup titles.
Most runs in T20 Asia Cup -
India's former T20I batter Virat Kohli has 429 runs from nine innings at an average of 85.20, including one century and three half-centuries.
Most wickets in T20 Asia Cup -
India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 13 wickets from six innings at an average of 9.46, including one five-wicket haul and one four-wicket haul. His economy rate of 5.34 runs per over.
Highest score in T20 Asia Cup -
India's Kohli and Hong Kong's Babar Hayat share the record for highest score in T20 Asia Cup. In 2016, Babar scored 122 runs from 60 balls, including nine fours and seven sixes against Oman. Kohli's only T20I century came against Afghanistan. He faced 61 balls, hit 12 fours and smashed six sixes in the previous edition.
Best bowling figures in T20 Asia Cup -
Bhuvneshwar is the only bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20 Asia Cup encounters. Against Afghanistan, he claimed five wickets for four runs in his quota of four overs, including one maiden.
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