Asia Cup History: From Sharjah 1984 to Dubai 2025

The Asia Cup began in Sharjah in 1984 as a three-team one-day tournament and has grown into an eight-team event that switches between the 50-over and 20-over formats depending on which World Cup comes next. India have won it nine times, most recently in Dubai in September 2025, Sri Lanka six times and Pakistan twice. This guide traces the tournament from Sharjah to Dubai, the formats and hosts, the matches worth remembering, and the 2025 edition that ended with the winners refusing the trophy.

The Early Years, 1984 to 1997

The first Asia Cup in 1984 was a round-robin between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, won by India. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan to win the 1986 edition at home, India won in Bangladesh in 1988 and at home in 1990-91, a tournament Pakistan skipped, and the 1993 edition was cancelled over India and Pakistan's relations. India won again in Sharjah in 1995 and Sri Lanka at home in 1997. Bangladesh joined in 1986 and became the tournament's regular fourth side.

Growth, 2000 to 2014

Pakistan's first title came in Dhaka in 2000. The 2004 edition in Sri Lanka expanded to six teams with the UAE and Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka won it; they won again in Pakistan in 2008, when Ajantha Mendis took six for 13 in the final against India. India won in 2010, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by two runs in the 2012 final in Mirpur, and Sri Lanka won their fifth title in 2014, the year Afghanistan first appeared.

The T20 Era, 2016 Onwards

From 2016 the format follows the next World Cup. The 2016 edition in Bangladesh was the first played as T20 internationals and India won it; 2018 in the UAE reverted to 50 overs and India beat Bangladesh off the last ball; 2022 in the UAE was T20 and Sri Lanka won; 2023 was a 50-over hybrid tournament hosted by Pakistan with India's matches in Sri Lanka, and India won the final in Colombo by ten wickets after bowling Sri Lanka out for 50, Mohammed Siraj taking six for 21.

The 2025 Asia Cup

The 2025 edition was a T20 tournament in the UAE from 9 to 28 September, eight teams in two groups of four and a Super Four stage. The final in Dubai on 28 September was India against Pakistan: Pakistan were bowled out for 146 and India won by five wickets with two balls to spare, Tilak Varma 69 not out and Kuldeep Yadav four for 30. Abhishek Sharma was player of the tournament with 314 runs, and Kuldeep took 17 wickets. India declined to accept the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council president, Mohsin Naqvi, and it was not presented on the day.

Winners and Formats

Seventeen editions have been played: India 9, Sri Lanka 6, Pakistan 2. Three have been T20 tournaments, in 2016, 2022 and 2025, and the rest 50-over. The next edition, due in 2027, is expected to be 50-over ahead of the 2027 World Cup; a host has been reported but not confirmed by the council. The year-by-year results are in our Asia Cup winners list, and the batting records in Asia Cup top run scorers.

Matches Worth Remembering

• 2008 final, Karachi. Mendis six for 13 as Sri Lanka beat India by 100 runs.
• 2012 final, Mirpur. Pakistan beat Bangladesh by two runs, the closest final.
• 2018 final, Dubai. India beat Bangladesh by three wickets off the last ball.
• 2023 final, Colombo. Sri Lanka 50 all out, India won by ten wickets in 6.1 overs.
• 2025 final, Dubai. The first India v Pakistan Asia Cup final, won by India by five wickets.

Our guides to memorable Asia Cup matches and India v Pakistan in the Asia Cup cover them in detail.

FAQs: Asia Cup History

Who won the first Asia Cup? India, in Sharjah in 1984, in a three-team round-robin.

Who has won the most Asia Cups? India, nine times, most recently in 2025. Sri Lanka have six and Pakistan two.

Who won the Asia Cup in 2025? India, beating Pakistan by five wickets in Dubai on 28 September 2025.

Is the Asia Cup T20 or ODI? It alternates to match the next World Cup. The 2025 edition was T20; the 2027 edition is expected to be 50-over.

Why did India not take the 2025 trophy? The team declined to receive it from the Asian Cricket Council president, Mohsin Naqvi, and it was not presented at the ceremony.

Sources

The 2025 final scorecard is on ESPNcricinfo. The tournament's editions, hosts and results are recorded on its Wikipedia page, with the 2025 edition on its own page.