Have we already witnessed the last edition of the prestigious Asia Cup in 2014? The question is striking in the minds of many cricket fans after the tournament’s future is doubted all over the Asian media. The International Cricket Council (ICC) may soon be merged with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the trophy might not be played. This is what the latest report says.
The bleak future of the Asia Cup
ACC is officially shutting down many of its departments and headquarters in the next couple of months, leaving very little space of optimism for the cricket lovers. Only its Finance and Tournament & Event management will be functioning.
The Asia Cup is the continent’s one of the biggest cricket extravaganzas. The four Asian test playing nations such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh play against each other in the tournament. The first edition of the tournament was played in 1984 and India won it. Thereafter the trophy is played at a gap of every two years. The upcoming edition of the trophy might be annulled, although any official confirmation in this regard is yet to ascertain.
How Asia Cup came into existence?
The Asia Cup was planned by the Asian Cricket Council with a predetermined purpose of creating goodwill among the Asian Cricket playing nations. The tournament took a back seat in the early 90s when Pakistan boycotted the whole tournament in 1993. That edition of the tournament was cancelled due to conflict between India and Pakistan. The 12 editions of the tournament have already been played successfully since 1984 in these cricket loving courtiers and the UAE as well.
As far as the statistics is concerned, Sri Lanka and India have won the trophy for the most number of times. Both teams won 5-5 times each. While Pakistan won the coveted cup twice, in the history of the gala event.
It was during the Asia Cup 2012 that Sachin Tendulkar’s much awaited hundredth hundred came at Mirpur. The match was played between India and Bangladesh. It was the last ODI trophy that the Master Blaster played prior to his retirement. Virat Kohli’s 183 knock against Pakistan at the same edition of the tournament is also very much fresh in the minds of cricket fans.
Winners: Year-By-Year
1984 – India
1986 – Sri Lanka
1988 – India
1990-91 – India
1995 – India
1997 – Sri Lanka
2000 – Pakistan
2004 – Sri Lanka
2008 – Sri Lanka
2010 – India
2012 – Pakistan
2014 – Sri Lanka
Tags: ACC, Asia Cup, Asian Cricket Council, Bangladesh, Cricket, ICC, India, International Cricket Council, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
