What Is the Complete Asia Cup Winners List From 1984 to 2025?

The Asia Cup is the longest-running continental cricket tournament, first staged in 1984 and continuing, with interruptions and reinventions, into 2025. It has outlived political boycotts, format shifts, and logistical challenges, and remains a stage where Asia’s cricketing powers test themselves against each other in high-pressure tournament play.

A winner's list is more than just numbers. It is a map of how Asian cricket has grown and changed: India’s long dominance, Sri Lanka’s remarkable consistency, Pakistan’s mercurial triumphs, Bangladesh’s heartbreaks, and Afghanistan’s rise. Each edition tells a story — not only of who lifted the cup, but how and why it mattered.

Here is the complete Asia Cup winners list, from 1984 through to the 2025 edition.

Year-by-Year Winners of the Asia Cup (1984–2025)

1984 – India Takes the First Crown in Sharjah

The first Asia Cup was held in Sharjah, UAE, a neutral venue chosen for its growing popularity with expatriate fans and its status as a “home away from home” for South Asian cricket. Just three teams — India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — competed in a round-robin.

India, led by Sunil Gavaskar, won both their matches to take the title. Dilip Vengsarkar’s batting was key, while Chetan Sharma impressed with the ball. The tournament was modest in scale, but it established the Asia Cup as a recurring competition and Sharjah as a hub of Asian cricket in the 1980s.

1986 – Sri Lanka’s Breakthrough at Home

India boycotted the second edition due to political tensions with Sri Lanka, leaving the hosts to battle Pakistan and Bangladesh. Played in Colombo, the final saw Sri Lanka defeat Pakistan by five wickets, a landmark moment for the island nation still finding its footing in international cricket.

Arjuna Ranatunga anchored the chase, while Aravinda de Silva provided the flair. This victory was Sri Lanka’s first major multi-nation triumph and foreshadowed their steady rise towards becoming world champions a decade later.

1988 – India Back on Top in Bangladesh

The third Asia Cup was hosted by Bangladesh, which had yet to become a Test-playing nation but proudly staged the tournament. For India, it was a return to dominance. They defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final in Dhaka, with Navjot Singh Sidhu’s stroke play standing out.

This win, India’s second title, also underlined how Bangladesh was slowly being integrated into the Asian cricketing fold. Hosting the tournament boosted local enthusiasm and planted seeds for their eventual elevation to Test status in 2000.

1990–91 – India Dominates at Home

The fourth edition was played in India, though marred by Pakistan’s boycott due to political issues. India, with home advantage, swept past Sri Lanka in the final by seven wickets at Eden Gardens. Kapil Dev, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Sachin Tendulkar (just establishing himself on the international stage) featured prominently.

India’s third Asia Cup title further entrenched its supremacy, though the absence of Pakistan diluted the competition.

1995 – India extends its lead in Sharjah

Back in Sharjah, the 1995 tournament saw India again assert themselves, beating Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final. Navjot Sidhu’s 84 not out secured the victory.

It was India’s fourth Asia Cup title, but what stood out was Sri Lanka’s consistency — they had reached yet another final, proving that their 1986 success was no fluke.

1997 – Jayasuriya’s Blazing 189 Seals Sri Lanka’s Triumph

Hosted in Colombo, the 1997 edition was Sri Lanka’s tournament from start to finish. The final against India became unforgettable thanks to Sanath Jayasuriya’s extraordinary 189 off 161 balls — an innings that demolished India’s bowling and remains the highest individual score in Asia Cup history.

Sri Lanka’s batting firepower, coupled with Muttiah Muralitharan’s spin, gave them a comprehensive victory. Coming just a year after their 1996 World Cup win, it confirmed that Sri Lanka were a force in both global and regional cricket.

2000 – Pakistan Finally Lift the Trophy

The 2000 Asia Cup in Dhaka was historic for Pakistan, which had long been contenders but never champions. In the final, they defeated Sri Lanka by 39 runs. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s batting (117 runs) and Waqar Younis’ incisive bowling were decisive.

For Bangladesh, which had just achieved Test status, hosting the tournament was symbolic of its growing stature. For Pakistan, it was a relief and a statement — they would not be left out of the Asia Cup winners’ circle.

2004 – Expansion and Sri Lanka’s Fifth Title

Sri Lanka hosted the 2004 edition, which featured six teams for the first time, including the UAE and Hong Kong. The expanded format introduced a group stage and a Super Four round, giving the event more length and competitiveness.

Sri Lanka, led by Marvan Atapattu, beat India by 25 runs in the final. Sanath Jayasuriya scored a brilliant century (125), and Muttiah Muralitharan took crucial wickets. This was Sri Lanka’s fifth Asia Cup title, showing their ability to thrive in changing formats.

2008 – Mendis Mystifies India in Karachi

The 2008 tournament, held in Pakistan, is remembered for one man: Ajantha Mendis. In the final, Sri Lanka bowled India out for 173 thanks to Mendis’ incredible 6 for 13, a spell of “mystery spin” that left batsmen clueless.

Sri Lanka’s 100-run victory secured their fourth title in eight editions. The emergence of Mendis showed how the Asia Cup could serve as a launching pad for new stars.

2010 – Dhoni’s India Prevails in Dambulla

In Sri Lanka, India once again proved their class. In the final, they beat Sri Lanka by 81 runs, thanks to Dinesh Karthik’s 66 and MS Dhoni’s leadership. Praveen Kumar’s early wickets crippled Sri Lanka’s chase.

This was India’s fifth Asia Cup crown, and their first since 1995, bridging the era between Tendulkar’s peak and the rise of the Dhoni-led generation.

2012 – Bangladesh’s Agony, Pakistan’s Joy

The 2012 final in Dhaka was one of the most emotional in Asia Cup history. Bangladesh, which had never reached a final, played inspired cricket throughout the tournament. In the final, they restricted Pakistan to 236, then came within touching distance of victory.

Needing four runs from the final ball, Bangladesh fell short by just two runs. Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal had starred throughout, but Pakistan’s bowlers held their nerve. Pakistan lifted their second Asia Cup, while Bangladesh won hearts despite heartbreak.

2014 – Sri Lanka Reasserts Themselves

Back in Dhaka, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final. Lahiru Thirimanne scored 101, while Lasith Malinga’s five wickets dismantled Pakistan.

This was Sri Lanka’s fifth Asia Cup title, and their balance of youth and experience showed why they remained a powerhouse.

2016 – The First T20 Asia Cup, India Reigns Supreme

With the ICC World T20 looming, the Asia Cup shifted to a T20 format for the first time, hosted in Bangladesh. India adapted brilliantly, thrashing Bangladesh by eight wickets in the final. Virat Kohli was imperious throughout the tournament, while Shikhar Dhawan top-scored in the final.

This innovation proved the Asia Cup could remain relevant regardless of format. India’s sixth title also reinforced its dominance across both ODIs and T20s.

2018 – India Edge Bangladesh in a Last-Ball Thriller

Held in the UAE, the 2018 Asia Cup returned to the ODI format. In the final, Bangladesh posted 222 thanks to Litton Das’ century. India chased but stuttered until Kedar Jadhav, batting injured, struck the winning run off the final ball.

India’s seventh title was one of their most dramatic, while Bangladesh once again came agonisingly close to glory.

2022 – Sri Lanka’s T20 Triumph Amid Crisis

The 2022 edition in the UAE was played in T20 format. Sri Lanka, despite political and economic turmoil at home, produced a stirring campaign. In the final, they beat Pakistan by 23 runs, thanks to Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s 71* and Wanindu Hasaranga’s all-round brilliance.

This sixth title was especially sweet, showing Sri Lanka’s resilience in adversity and its enduring strength in continental competition.

2023 – India Crushes Sri Lanka in a One-Sided Final

Co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka in a hybrid model, the 2023 Asia Cup returned to the ODI format. The final in Colombo was shockingly one-sided: India bowled Sri Lanka out for just 50, with Mohammed Siraj taking 6 for 21. India then chased down the target in just 6.1 overs, winning by 10 wickets.

This dominant display gave India their eighth title — the most by any team — and reaffirmed their supremacy heading into the World Cup.

2025 – UAE to Host Expanded T20 Edition (Scheduled)

The 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled for September in the UAE, will be historic: eight teams will participate for the first time. Alongside India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, qualifiers UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong will compete.

The tournament will be played in T20 format. While the winner is yet to be decided, the expanded field promises fresh stories, potential upsets, and greater inclusivity.

Most Successful Teams and Records

• India: 8 titles — the most dominant, across both formats.

• Sri Lanka: 6 titles — also the most consistent, with the highest number of finals.

• Pakistan: 2 titles — occasional brilliance but less consistent.

• Bangladesh: 3 finals, no titles — the tournament’s perennial heartbreak story.

• Afghanistan: No finals yet, but consistent threats since debut.

Changes in Format and Exceptions

• 1984–2014: ODI-only.

• 2016 onwards: Alternates between ODI and T20.

• 1993: Cancelled due to India–Pakistan tensions.

• 2023: First hybrid hosting, shared between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Key Finals and Upsets

• 1997: Jayasuriya’s 189 against India.

• 2008: Mendis’ mystery spin in Karachi.

• 2012: Bangladesh’s two-run heartbreak.

• 2018: India’s last-ball win.

• 2022: Sri Lanka’s underdog triumph.

• 2023: India’s annihilation of Sri Lanka in the final.

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

The Asia Cup is poised for another leap forward with an expanded field. Associate nations like the UAE and Oman will bring new energy, while established giants battle for supremacy. T20 format ensures unpredictability, and the hybrid hosting precedent may shape future editions.

Conclusion

The Asia Cup winners list, from India’s first triumph in 1984 to the scheduled 2025 edition, is a living history of Asian cricket. It reflects shifts in power, breakthroughs by underdogs, and the ability of the tournament to survive political and logistical storms.

India and Sri Lanka remain the titans, Pakistan the dangerous challenger, Bangladesh the resilient nearly-men, and Afghanistan the rising force. Together, their stories show why the Asia Cup still matters: it is Asia’s stage, and its winners are chapters in the continent’s cricketing saga.