Explore the complete Asia Cup winners list from 1984 to 2023. See which teams lifted the trophy, how many titles India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have won, and key records from the tournament’s history.
Introduction
The Asia Cup is one of the most celebrated tournaments in cricket. Launched in 1984, it was created by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to bring the top teams of Asia together in a single competition. Over the years, it has provided fans with countless unforgettable moments, from nail-biting India vs Pakistan clashes to the rise of Sri Lanka as a consistent cricketing powerhouse.
The Asia Cup winners list is more than just statistics. It tells a story of rivalries, dominance, heartbreaks, and unexpected victories. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at every Asia Cup winner from 1984 to 2023, along with key highlights from each edition.
Asia Cup Winners List by Year
Here is the complete Asia Cup winners list from its beginning till the most recent edition:
| Year | Host Country | Winner | Runner-up | Final Venue |
| 1984 | UAE | India | Sri Lanka | Sharjah |
| 1986 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Colombo |
| 1988 | Bangladesh | India | Sri Lanka | Dhaka |
| 1990–91 | India | India | Sri Lanka | Kolkata |
| 1995 | UAE | India | Sri Lanka | Sharjah |
| 1997 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India | Colombo |
| 2000 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Dhaka |
| 2004 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India | Colombo |
| 2008 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | India | Karachi |
| 2010 | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka | Dambulla |
| 2012 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Dhaka |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Dhaka |
| 2016 | Bangladesh | India | Bangladesh | Dhaka |
| 2018 | UAE | India | Bangladesh | Dubai |
| 2022 | UAE | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | Dubai |
| 2023 | Pakistan / Sri Lanka (Hybrid) | India | Sri Lanka | Colombo |
(*2016 edition was played in T20 format for the first time.)
Asia Cup Titles by Team
Looking at the Asia Cup winners list over four decades, it’s clear that three teams have dominated the competition:
- India – 🏆 8 titles (most successful team)
- Sri Lanka – 🏆 6 titles
- Pakistan – 🏆 2 titles
Bangladesh has reached the finals multiple times (2012, 2016, 2018), but is still chasing its first trophy.
Detailed Look at Memorable Editions
1984 – The Beginning
The first edition in Sharjah saw India lift the trophy after beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan. This was the start of a regional rivalry that continues today.
1986 – Sri Lanka’s First Title
Sri Lanka, still an emerging side, stunned Pakistan to win their first Asia Cup at home. It was a major moment for Sri Lankan cricket.
1997 – Sri Lanka Dominates India
By the late 90s, Sri Lanka had become a major force. Led by Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva, they comfortably beat India in Colombo.
2000 – Pakistan’s Maiden Victory
Pakistan finally got its hands on the trophy in Dhaka, thanks to powerful performances from Mohammad Yousuf and Waqar Younis.
2012 – A New Chapter
This edition was historic, Bangladesh reached their first final. They lost narrowly to Pakistan, but it showed how far they had come.
2016 – The T20 Experiment
For the first time, the Asia Cup was played in the T20 format. India dominated and defeated Bangladesh in Dhaka, preparing for the World T20 later that year.
2022 – Sri Lanka’s Stunning Comeback
Few expected Sri Lanka to win, but they defeated Pakistan in Dubai in style. It was a massive boost for their young side.
2023 – India Back on Top
Played in a hybrid format across Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the final was in Colombo, where India crushed Sri Lanka to claim their 8th title.
Why the Asia Cup Matters
The Asia Cup is unique because it brings together the fiercest rivals in cricket, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, along with rising teams like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and associate nations.
- For Fans: IND vs PAK matches are the main attraction, often drawing millions of viewers worldwide.
- For Players: Winning the Asia Cup is a matter of regional pride.
- For Cricket: It gives smaller teams like Afghanistan and Bangladesh a chance to play high-stakes cricket regularly.
Asia Cup Records and Stats
Beyond the Asia Cup winners list, here are some interesting records:
- Most Runs: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 1220 runs
- Most Wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 30 wickets
- Highest Team Score: India – 374/4 vs Hong Kong (2008)
- Lowest Team Score: Bangladesh – 87 vs Pakistan (2000)
- Most Titles as Captain: MS Dhoni (India) – 2 titles
Asia Cup Winners List in Summary
The Asia Cup winners list highlights how India and Sri Lanka have dominated, with Pakistan also making its mark. Bangladesh has often come close, while Afghanistan continues to improve with each edition.
The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 promises more thrilling matches, and fans will be eager to see if Pakistan or Sri Lanka can close the gap on India’s dominance.
Final Word
The Asia Cup winners list is a timeline of cricketing history in Asia. From India’s dominance to Sri Lanka’s durability and Pakistan’s fighting spirit, it reflects the growth of the game across the continent.
As we move towards the Asia Cup 2025, one question remains: who will be the next name added to this historic list?
Stay tuned with CrickEdge for fixtures, previews, and live updates from the world of cricket.
FAQs
Q: Who has won the most Asia Cup titles?
A: India leads the Asia Cup winners list with 8 titles.
Q: How many times has Pakistan won the Asia Cup?
A: Pakistan has won it twice, in 2000 and 2012.
Q: Which country hosted the first Asia Cup?
A: The inaugural edition in 1984 was hosted by the UAE in Sharjah.
Q: Has Bangladesh ever won the Asia Cup?
A: No, but they reached the final three times (2012, 2016, 2018).