There may be cricket everywhere, but the big championships always matter. Asia Cup has been through many unexpected problems and is now scheduled to be played in the UAE. Per the rules, it is a T20 format this time and the ODI format in 2024.
Let’s see what this championship holds for us and its history.
History of the Asia Cup over the years:
• Initiated in 1983
• First tournament in 1984
• India pulled out of the 1986 competition due to political issues with Srilanka.
• Pakistan did the same but due to issues with India in 1990- 91.
• The same issue led to the cancellation of the 1993 tournament.
• The ICC accorded official status to the Asia Cup in 2009.
• The ICC decided to alternate between ODI & T20 in 2016.
• The 2020 Tournament (T20 format) was postponed due to the spread of the Corona Virus.
• It is that postponed tournament played from August 27th to September 11th, and the venue would be Srilanka.
The Participants in the 2022 Asia Cup T20.
Confirmed Teams (5)
• India
• Srilanka
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Afghanistan
The sixth Team needs to qualify. Teams competing for the sixth spot are
• Hong kong
• UAE
• Singapore &
• Kuwait.
Official Schedule:
Venues spread across the Island would be used to conduct the tournament. Despite the turmoil in Srilanka, the venue would not be shifted to UAE as one saw that as a possibility. The schedules are yet to be released, but six nations would play 13 matches.
Predictions:
None of the teams have announced their squad as on date, as many have ongoing matches.
Results Over the years:
| Year | Format | Host venue | Number of Competing Teams | Winner | Runner-Up |
| 1984 | ODI | United Arab Emirates | 3 | India | Sri Lanka |
| 1986 | ODI | Sri Lanka | 3 | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
| 1988 | ODI | Bangladesh | 4 | India | Sri Lanka |
| 1990/91 | ODI | India | 3 | India | Sri Lanka |
| 1995 | ODI | United Arab Emirates | 4 | India | Sri Lanka |
| 1997 | ODI | Sri Lanka | 4 | Sri Lanka | India |
| 2000 | ODI | Bangladesh | 4 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| 2004 | ODI | Sri Lanka | 6 | Sri Lanka | India |
| 2008 | ODI | Pakistan | 6 | Sri Lanka | India |
| 2010 | ODI | Sri Lanka | 4 | India | Sri Lanka |
| 2012 | ODI | Bangladesh | 4 | Pakistan | Bangladesh |
| 2014 | ODI | Bangladesh | 5 | Srilanka | Pakistan |
| 2016 | T-20 | Bangladesh | 5 (Finals)4 (Qualifier) | India | Bangladesh |
| 2018 | ODI | United Arab Emirates | 6 | India | Bangladesh |
Conclusion:
T20 is a format where one small slip could make the difference between victory and defeat. It is always those short pitch deliveries and the extra runs which result through wide and No -balls that decide the fate. All the top teams are in great form. Let the best team win!
