New Delhi. Counting hours are now left in the biggest match of Asia Cup 2023. Today in Kandy there is a match between India and Pakistan. Earlier there was a 90 percent chance of rain here, but now the weather is improving a lot. In such a situation, it is expected that the whole match can be seen as 50-50 overs. Asia Cup is being played since 1984. This is the 16th season of the tournament. As far as ODI history is concerned, it is the third oldest tournament in the world. If we look at tournaments between 3 or more countries, before Asia Cup only ODI World Cup and World Series matches were held. The Indian team is the most successful team in the history of Asia Cup and has won the title 7 times.
Talking about the current season of Asia Cup, total 6 teams are participating in it. India, Pakistan and Nepal are in Group-A while Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have been placed in Group-B. Qualifier matches are also played in the Asia Cup. 15 teams have qualified so far in the Asia Cup qualifiers and only 8 teams have made it to the main round. In such a situation, if we talk about the current season of the tournament, only 6 teams out of 15 will be seen in the main round. That means 9 teams have been cut.
UAE and Hong Kong have also reached the main round
Nepal team is playing in the main round of Asia Cup for the first time. UAE have entered the main draw 3 times and the Hong Kong team 4 times before. On the other hand, teams from Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Singapore could not go beyond the qualifiers. The Asia Cup is organized by the Asian Cricket Council. It has total 25 members. In addition to the 15 teams, Thailand, Cambodia, Bhutan, China, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Taiwan and Brunei are ACC members.
The World Cup started in 1975
Talking about the ODI World Cup, it started in 1975. 1979-80 saw the first World Series games. The Asia Cup was first held in 1984 in the UAE. Total 3 teams were involved in it. The Indian team managed to win both the matches of the league round and win the title. India defeated both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan team could not win a single match.
13 times in ODI and 2 times in T20 format
Asia Cup was started based on ODI format. But in 2016, for the first time, T20 was played based on the format. It has been planned based on the format in which the World Cup is to be held after the Asia Cup. Last year was the T20 World Cup. This is why Asia Cup was held in T20 format. So far 13 out of 15 Asia Cups have been organized on ODI basis and 2 times on T20 format. Team India has won the Asia Cup 6 times in T20 format and once in ODI.
Ind vs Pak: Rohit Sharma’s tension is over! 3 players, 30 sixes and India win… Pakistan hands up
Sri Lanka have won 5 ODIs and once T20 Asia Cup. Pakistan team has managed to win the ODI Asia Cup 2 times. No other team has won the title. The current season of the Asia Cup is considered important in terms of preparations in view of the World Cup to be held from October 5. The Asia Cup will be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka while the World Cup will be played in India. That means both the tournaments are to be held on Asian soil.
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Tags: Asia Cup, Team India
First published: September 02, 2023, 10:30 IST