The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is set to kick off with the Pakistan-Nepal match in Multan on August 30, culminating in the final in Colombo on November 17. Originating in 1984, the tournament has seen its fair share of challenges and historical moments. This year's Asia Cup operates on a hybrid model due to security concerns, notably India's refusal to tour Pakistan. Since 2008, India's cricket team has not set foot on Pakistani soil, reflecting the long-standing political tensions between the two nations. However, there was an instance when India withdrew from the Asia Cup due to political tensions with Sri Lanka.
1986 Asia Cup
Diving into history, the 1986 Asia Cup, the second edition, took place in Sri Lanka, a country grappling with a civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTE) and the Sri Lankan Army since 1983. Amidst efforts to broker peace, India attempted negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE but without success. The deteriorating situation led to other teams refusing to visit Sri Lanka. Consequently, India decided against sending its team to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup, prioritising the safety of its players.
Bangladesh to the rescue
As tensions loomed, only Sri Lanka and Pakistan remained in the tournament. The inclusion of Bangladesh marked a turning point, with the country making its debut in international cricket through the tournament. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in this edition, claiming their first Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan. The celebration was so exuberant that Sri Lankan President JR Jayawardene declared a holiday in response to fans' demands. Notably, this is the sole instance when India did not participate in the Asia Cup. Intriguingly, India clinched the inaugural Asia Cup held in UAE in 1984.
1991 Asia Cup
Further historical junctures include Pakistan's boycott of the 1991 Asia Cup hosted by India due to escalated tensions surrounding Kashmir. Two years later, strained relations once again led to the cancellation of the tournament. Since its revival in 1995, both India and Pakistan have maintained an unbroken presence in every edition of the Asia Cup.
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