Complete Asia Cup Winners List: From 1st Tournament to Latest Champion

This table gives you the essentials at a glance: year, winner, runner-up, captain, and format.

Asia Cup Winners by Country

Breaking down the titles shows a clear pattern:

• India – 8 titles: 1984, 1988, 1990–91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2023

• Sri Lanka – 6 titles: 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2022

• Pakistan – 2 titles: 2000, 2012

Bangladesh reached three finals but is still waiting for its first win. Afghanistan and Nepal have brought fresh energy but have yet to lift the trophy.

Also read: What Is a Diamond Duck in Cricket

Asia Cup Winning Captains: Leadership Timeline

Captains shape tournaments. Below is a snapshot of the leaders who left their mark:

• Sunil Gavaskar (India, 1984) – Steady leadership in the first edition.

• Duleep Mendis (Sri Lanka, 1986) – Led Sri Lanka’s first title at home.

• Mohammad Azharuddin (India, 1990–91 & 1995) – Calm and composed, two trophies.

• Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka, 1997) – Inspirational island leader.

• Moin Khan (Pakistan, 2000) – Guided Pakistan to its first Asia Cup win.

• MS Dhoni (India, 2010 & 2016) – Captain Cool added two titles.

• Rohit Sharma (India, 2018 & 2023) – Modern-day captain with clear tactics.

• Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka, 2022) – Led an underdog team to T20 victory.

Each name above represents leadership, strategy, and unity.

ODI vs T20I Asia Cups

For its first 12 editions, the Asia Cup was played in the ODI format. In 2016, it switched to T20I ahead of the T20 World Cup.

• ODI winners: India (6), Sri Lanka (5), Pakistan (2)

• T20I winners: India (1), Sri Lanka (1)

The format shift added unpredictability and opened the door for new match-winners.

Most Memorable Finals

• 1984 Sharjah: India set the tone with the first title.

• 1997 Colombo: Sri Lanka’s dominance under Ranatunga.

• 2012 Dhaka: Pakistan edged Bangladesh in a last-over thriller.

• 2016 Mirpur: India won the first T20 Asia Cup.

• 2023 Colombo: India bowled Sri Lanka out for 50 and won by 10 wickets.

Notable Asia Cup Records

• Most runs: Sanath Jayasuriya – 1,220

• Most wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan – 30

• Highest individual score: Virat Kohli – 183 vs Pakistan (2012)

• Most titles as captain: MS Dhoni & Rohit Sharma – 2 each

• Biggest win in a final: India vs Sri Lanka, 2023 final

These records reflect consistency and the pressure-handling abilities of Asia’s best.

Why the Asia Cup Matters to Grassroots Fans

The Asia Cup is more than a tournament. It’s a stage where rivalries meet respect. For grassroots players, it shows how sustained effort and teamwork bring results.

On CricHeroes, the same principle applies. Every score, every wicket, and every leadership decision in your local match adds to your story. That story matters as much as the big stage.

Decade-by-Decade Asia Cup Story

1980s: The Start of an Era

India and Sri Lanka shared the first three titles. The tournament gave Asian cricket a continental identity.
Sharjah became the hub where fans from multiple nations gathered.

1990s: Sri Lanka Emerges

Sri Lanka, led by Arjuna Ranatunga, began to challenge India’s dominance. Bangladesh entered as host, expanding the tournament.
Captains became icons — Mohammad Azharuddin for India, Ranatunga for Sri Lanka.

2000s: Pakistan Breaks Through

Pakistan claimed its first Asia Cup in 2000 under Moin Khan.
The decade also saw Sri Lanka’s golden run with Mahela Jayawardene and Marvan Atapattu.
The cricket grew faster, with higher scores and bigger crowds.

2010s: Format Shifts & India’s Stability

MS Dhoni’s India lifted the 2010 title.
In 2016, the Asia Cup switched to T20I for the first time.
Rohit Sharma added titles in 2018 and 2023, showing leadership continuity.

2020s: Unpredictable & Shared Hosting

Sri Lanka shocked many by winning the 2022 T20 Asia Cup under Dasun Shanaka.
India responded with a crushing win in 2023.
Hybrid hosting (Pakistan & Sri Lanka) showed how the tournament adapts to challenges.

Leadership Lessons from Asia Cup Captains

• Composure under pressure: MS Dhoni’s field settings in 2010 final.

• Backing youth: Rohit Sharma trusted Hardik Pandya and younger bowlers in 2018.

• Team unity: Arjuna Ranatunga turned Sri Lanka into a winning unit in the late 1990s.

• Adaptability: Dasun Shanaka used match-ups smartly in the 2022 T20 edition.

For grassroots captains, these are real examples of how calm decisions change outcomes.

Micro-Stories Behind Key Finals

• 2012 Dhaka: Bangladesh nearly chased down Pakistan’s total; the entire stadium cheered for their first possible title.

• 2016 Mirpur: First-ever T20 Asia Cup; India’s bowling unit sealed the deal.

• 2023 Colombo: India bowled Sri Lanka out for 50, showing bowling depth and clarity.

These stories show how every final carries emotion beyond the scorecard.

Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts

• The Asia Cup trophy has changed designs four times since 1984.

• Bangladesh has hosted the tournament most often after Sri Lanka.

• Nepal played its first Asia Cup in 2023, a milestone for associate nations.

• India and Sri Lanka have met in 12 Asia Cup finals — a record rivalry.

• Sanath Jayasuriya not only holds the most runs but also multiple Man of the Match awards in finals.

People Also Ask (FAQ)

Who has won the most Asia Cups?
India with 8 titles (1984–2023).

Which captain has lifted the Asia Cup the most?
MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, two each.

When did Pakistan first win the Asia Cup?
In 2000 under Moin Khan.

Who won Asia Cup 2023 final?
India beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in Colombo.

Why does the format change (ODI or T20)?
The Asian Cricket Council aligns the format with the next ICC World Cup type.

Which teams have reached finals but not won?
Bangladesh (3 times), Afghanistan (never reached a final yet).

Who scored the fastest century in Asia Cup history?
Shahid Afridi scored a 53-ball century in 2010 vs India.

Which venue has hosted the most Asia Cup matches?
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE.

Who has the best bowling figures in Asia Cup?
Ajantha Mendis, 6/13 against India in 2008.

Does CricHeroes cover Asia Cup matches?
CricHeroes focuses on grassroots and local cricket scoring but tracks trends and stories from all major tournaments.What the Asia Cup Teaches Every Cricketer

• Consistency matters: Teams with a stable core perform better.

• Leadership counts: Captains who plan calmly win tight games.

• Adaptation wins: Switching formats, conditions, and playing styles is key.

• Every stat tells a story: Just like on CricHeroes, where every run and wicket builds your personal record.

Key Takeaways

The complete Asia Cup winners list is more than a set of scores.
It’s a living story of captains, fans, and changing formats.
It shows how Asian cricket built a culture of competition and respect over nearly 40 years.

Just as the Asia Cup records the best in Asia, CricHeroes records the best in your own matches.
Whether you are a captain, scorer, or weekend player, your cricket deserves to be scored and remembered.