Since 1984, the Asia Cup has been a stage for thrilling cricket and fierce competition between Asian teams. Fans have witnessed unforgettable finals, incredible performances, and historic moments that define the tournament.
This Asia Cup Winners List provides a complete history from the very first edition to 2025, showing which countries have claimed the trophy and when. With clear stats and memorable highlights, this guide makes it easy to explore the journey of every champion team and understand the legacy of Asia Cup cricket in a simple and engaging way.
Asia Cup Historical Overview
The Asia Cup is one of the biggest cricket tournaments in Asia, first held in 1984 to bring the continent’s top teams together. Over the years, it has been played in both ODI and T20 formats and has given fans exciting matches, close contests, and memorable performances by great players.
Teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have all competed for the trophy, making every edition special. This historical overview looks at how the Asia Cup has grown, which teams have been most successful, and the important matches that fans still remember today.
Complete Asia Cup Winners List With Captain (1984–2025)
Here is a detailed list of every Asia Cup winner from 1984 to 2025, including the captains who guided their teams to success. The table presents the champions edition by edition, making it easy to follow the journey of each team and the leaders behind their victories. It’s a simple way to explore the history of the tournament at a glance.
| Year | Winner | Captain | Format |
| 1984 | India | Sunil Gavaskar | ODI |
| 1986 | Sri Lanka | Duleep Mendis | ODI |
| 1988 | India | Dilip Vengsarkar | ODI |
| 1990–91 | India | Mohammad Azharuddin | ODI |
| 1995 | India | Mohammad Azharuddin | ODI |
| 1997 | Sri Lanka | Arjuna Ranatunga | ODI |
| 2000 | Pakistan | Moin Khan | ODI |
| 2004 | Sri Lanka | Marvan Atapattu | ODI |
| 2008 | Sri Lanka | Mahela Jayawardene | ODI |
| 2010 | India | MS Dhoni | ODI |
| 2012 | Pakistan | Misbah-ul-Haq | ODI |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | Angelo Mathews | ODI |
| 2016 | India | MS Dhoni | T20 |
| 2018 | India | Rohit Sharma | T20 |
| 2022 | Sri Lanka | Dasun Shanaka | T20 |
| 2023 | India | Rohit Sharma | T20 |
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | T20 |
- The 2025 Asia Cup is scheduled in UAE from September 9–28, 2025. The winner and captain are yet to be determined.
1984 Asia Cup: India Crowned Champions
The first Asia Cup was played in 1984 at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Only three teams—India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—took part in this tournament. India, led by Sunil Gavaskar, played outstanding cricket and won both their matches to become the first champions of the Asia Cup. The victory marked the start of India’s dominance in Asian cricket and gave fans the taste of a new exciting tournament that would grow in the years to come.
Memorable Performances in 1984 Asia Cup
- Surinder Khanna (India) – Scored 56 runs vs Sri Lanka and another 51 vs Pakistan, winning Man of the Series for his consistent batting.
- Ravi Shastri (India) – Took 3 wickets for 40 runs against Pakistan, giving India a crucial win in the final league match.
- Kapil Dev (India) – Contributed with both bat and ball, leading the Indian team with his all-round abilities.
- Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) – Scored valuable 53 runs against Pakistan, showing promise as a future star.
- Javed Miandad (Pakistan) – Top scorer for Pakistan in both matches, known for his fighting knocks though the team failed to reach the final.
👉 These individual efforts made the 1984 Asia Cup historic, even though it had only three teams.
1986 Asia Cup – The Second Edition
The second Asia Cup was held in Sri Lanka (March–April 1986). This tournament was very different from the 1984 edition because India withdrew due to strained cricketing relations with Sri Lanka at the time. As a result, only three teams participated – Sri Lanka (hosts), Pakistan, and Bangladesh (who replaced India).
Memorable Performances
- Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) – Scored a match-winning 57 off 55 balls* in the final, helping Sri Lanka lift the trophy.
- Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) – Consistent with both bat and ball, showcasing his emerging all-round talent.
- Abdul Qadir (Pakistan) – Bowled brilliantly during the league matches, troubling batsmen with his leg-spin.
- Athula Samarasekera (Sri Lanka) – Gave quick starts as an opener, setting the tone in the final.
Importance of 1986 Asia Cup
- It was the first time Sri Lanka won an international cricket trophy, a historic moment for the nation.
- Bangladesh played in their first-ever Asia Cup, marking their entry into major Asian cricket events.
- The win gave Sri Lanka huge confidence, laying the foundation for their 1996 World Cup triumph.
1988 Asia Cup – India’s Strong Comeback
The third edition of the Asia Cup was played in Bangladesh (October 1988). This was a special tournament because it was the first time Bangladesh hosted a multi-nation cricket event. Unlike the 1986 edition, all the major teams participated this time – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Memorable Performances
- Navjot Singh Sidhu (India) – Scored a brilliant 76 runs in the final, giving India a strong start.
- Arshad Ayub (India) – India’s standout bowler, taking 9 wickets in the tournament, including crucial breakthroughs in the final.
- Kapil Dev (India) – Made important contributions with both bat and ball, guiding India throughout.
- Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) – Consistent scorer, kept Sri Lanka competitive with key innings in league matches.
1990–91 Asia Cup – India’s Continued Dominance
The 1990–91 Asia Cup was the fourth edition, held in India from December 25, 1990 to January 4, 1991. This tournament was special because it showed India’s growing strength in Asian cricket and also had political undertones.
Memorable Performances
- Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) – Scored a brilliant 49 in the final, keeping Sri Lanka competitive.
- Kapil Dev (India) – Played a key role with both bat and ball, showing his value as an all-rounder.
- Mohammad Azharuddin (India, Captain) – Led the team smartly and played match-winning knocks in the group stage.
- Sanjay Manjrekar (India) – Contributed important runs throughout the tournament.
- Anil Kumble (India) – Emerging spinner, impressed with his accuracy and control.
1995 Asia Cup – India’s Fourth Triumph
The fifth edition of the Asia Cup was played in Sharjah, UAE from April 5 to April 14, 1995. By this time, the tournament had become one of the most popular cricket events in Asia, known for high-intensity clashes, especially between India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Memorable Performances
- Navjot Singh Sidhu (India) – The star of the final, scoring a match-winning 84 runs, guiding India to an easy chase.
- Anil Kumble (India) – Tournament’s top bowler with 7 wickets, including vital spells in the group stage.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – Played aggressive innings at the top, giving Sri Lanka early momentum throughout the tournament.
- Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) – Consistent run-scorer, kept Sri Lanka in the competition.
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – Contributed with both bat and ball, playing crucial knocks in the group stage.
1997 Asia Cup – Sri Lanka’s First Title at Home
The sixth edition of the Asia Cup was played in Sri Lanka from July 14 to July 26, 1997. This tournament was historic because it was the first time Sri Lanka hosted the Asia Cup, and the home team went on to lift the trophy in front of their fans.
Memorable Performances
- Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) – Led from the front in the final with a composed 62 not out, steering his team to victory.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – Dominated the group stage with explosive batting at the top of the order.
- Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) – Played crucial knocks throughout the tournament, providing middle-order stability.
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – India’s standout performer with the bat, scoring heavily in the group stage.
- Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – Bowled with accuracy and guile, troubling Indian and Pakistani batsmen.
2000 Asia Cup – Pakistan’s Maiden Triumph
The seventh edition of the Asia Cup was held in Bangladesh from May 29 to June 7, 2000. This tournament was historic because Pakistan won their first-ever Asia Cup title, ending India’s and Sri Lanka’s early dominance.
Memorable Performances
- Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) – Tournament’s top run-scorer with 295 runs, including a superb knock of 122 vs Sri Lanka in the final.
- Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan) – Shone with both bat and ball, contributing quick runs and taking key wickets.
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – Led the bowling attack with experience, troubling batsmen with swing and pace.
- Sourav Ganguly (India) – India’s best performer, scoring 135 runs in the group stage, though India couldn’t reach the final.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – Continued his explosive batting, scoring heavily at the top of the order, including 189 runs in the tournament.
2016 Asia Cup – India’s Dominance in T20 Format
The 2016 Asia Cup was the 13th edition, held in Bangladesh from February 24 to March 6, 2016. This tournament was unique because, for the first time in history, the Asia Cup was played in the T20I format instead of ODIs. The change was made to align with the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2016.
Memorable Performances
- Virat Kohli (India) – The backbone of India’s batting, scoring 153 runs in 5 innings at an average of 76.50, including a match-winning knock against Pakistan.
- Shikhar Dhawan (India) – Scored a crucial 60 runs in the final, setting the tone for India’s chase.
- MS Dhoni (India) – Finished the final in style with a quickfire 20 off 6 balls*, sealing India’s victory.
- Al-Amin Hossain (Bangladesh) – Took 11 wickets in the tournament, emerging as the top bowler for the hosts.
- Taskin Ahmed (Bangladesh) – Bowled brilliantly in the final, though his team fell short.
2022 Asia Cup – Sri Lanka’s Remarkable Comeback
The 15th edition of the Asia Cup was played in the UAE (Dubai and Sharjah) from August 27 to September 11, 2022. Originally scheduled in Sri Lanka, the venue was shifted due to the country’s political and economic crisis. For the second time in history, the tournament was played in the T20I format, keeping in line with the T20 World Cup 2022.
Memorable Performances
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka) – Played a stunning 71 off 45 balls in the final*, rescuing Sri Lanka from a shaky start.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – Star performer with both bat and ball; scored 36 runs in the final and took 3/27, winning Player of the Tournament.
- Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – Consistent opener, scoring 173 runs in the tournament.
- Virat Kohli (India) – Scored his much-awaited 71st international century (122* off 61 vs Afghanistan), finishing with 276 runs, the highest in the tournament.
- Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – Tournament’s top scorer with 281 runs, including 55 in the final.
- Naseem Shah (Pakistan) – Hit back-to-back sixes against Afghanistan to seal a thriller, one of the most iconic moments of the tournament.
2023 Asia Cup – India Reclaims Glory in ODI Format
The 16th edition of the Asia Cup was played in a hybrid model, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17, 2023. This tournament returned to the ODI format (50 overs) as preparation for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. It was also historic because it was the first-ever Asia Cup to be co-hosted by two countries.
Memorable Performances
- Mohammed Siraj (India) – Produced one of the best spells in ODI history, taking 6 wickets for 21 runs in the final, dismantling Sri Lanka’s batting.
- Shubman Gill (India) – Tournament’s top run-scorer with 302 runs, including a brilliant 121 against Bangladesh.
- Virat Kohli (India) – Scored a majestic 122 vs Pakistan*, adding to India’s dominance in the Super Four stage.
- Kuldeep Yadav (India) – Claimed 9 wickets, including a magical 5/25 against Pakistan, earning Player of the Tournament.
- Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – Scored 270 runs, including 91 in the semi-final against Pakistan, keeping Sri Lanka competitive.
- Dunith Wellalage (Sri Lanka) – Youngster who starred with both bat and ball, including a memorable 5/40 against India in the Super Four stage.
How Many Times Has India Won the Asia Cup?
India is the most successful team in Asia Cup history, featuring at the top of the Asia Cup winners list with multiple titles in both ODI and T20I formats. Their dominance in Asian cricket is highlighted through consistent performances against strong rivals like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
| Year | Format | Winner | Final Opponent | Venue |
| 1984 | ODI | India | Sri Lanka | UAE |
| 1988 | ODI | India | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh |
| 1990/91 | ODI | India | Sri Lanka | India |
| 1995 | ODI | India | Sri Lanka | UAE |
| 2010 | ODI | India | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka |
| 2016 | T20I | India | Bangladesh | Bangladesh |
| 2018 | ODI | India | Bangladesh | UAE |
| 2023 | ODI | India | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka |
Final Words
The Asia Cup remains one of the most eagerly awaited tournaments in Asian cricket, offering fans drama, skill, and historic victories. The Asia Cup winners list not only showcases the champions but also reflects the evolving power of cricketing nations in Asia. As the tournament moves forward, it promises more unforgettable matches and legendary performances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Asia Cup?
The Asia Cup is a cricket tournament for Asian nations, started in 1984 to promote cricket and friendship among countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and more. - Which teams have won the most Asia Cups?
India leads the Asia Cup winners list with 8 titles, followed by Sri Lanka with 6 wins. Pakistan has won the tournament twice. - When was the first Asia Cup held?
The first Asia Cup took place in 1984 in Sharjah, UAE, with India emerging as the champions. - What formats has the Asia Cup been played in?
The tournament has been played in ODI (50 overs) format for most editions, with T20I format introduced in 2016 and later editions. - Who are some legendary players in Asia Cup history?
Players like Sunil Gavaskar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Virat Kohli have delivered memorable performances in Asia Cup tournaments. - When will the next Asia Cup be held?
The next edition is scheduled based on the ICC calendar, and dates are usually announced a year in advance. Fans can expect thrilling cricket and intense rivalries. - Why is the Asia Cup important?
The Asia Cup showcases the best cricketing talent in Asia, strengthens rivalries, and prepares teams for global tournaments like the ICC World Cup and T20 World Cup.
