The Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner, with the action set to begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament opener will
see Afghanistan take on Hong Kong, as the competition will be held in the 20-over format for the fourth time, keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will be co-hosting.
Over the years, the marquee tournament has produced countless nail-biting encounters that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. As the excitement builds, CricTracker takes a trip down the memory lane to list down five of the most thrilling matches in the history of the Asia Cup in recent times.
5 most thrilling Asia Cup matches of all time
Bangladesh vs India, Asia Cup 2018 final
The 2018 final was a true classic. Batting first, Bangladesh posted 222, with the help of a magnificent 121 from Litton Das, while Kuldeep Yadav starred for India with figures of 3/45. In reply, India’s chase was a team effort, with Rohit Sharma’s 48 being the top score. Notably, this was Rohit's first tournament as a captain in a multinational tournament.
The target looked achievable, but a middle-order collapse followed by sluggish knocks from Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni took the match down to the wire. With six needed off the final over, Kedar Jadhav and Kuldeep held their nerve, taking India to a dramatic three-wicket win off the very last ball. It was India’s seventh Asia Cup title, while the first for Rohit as India captain.
Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2014
In one of the most memorable games of the 2014 edition, Bangladesh piled up 326, powered by Anamul Haque’s century (100) and fifties from Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, and Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh looked all set to secure a spot in the final of the event. However, there was scope for some anti-climax, as their arch-rivals had other plans.
Pakistan responded brilliantly, with Ahmed Shehzad (103), Mohammad Hafeez (52), Fawad Alam (74), and Shahid Afridi (59 off 25) contributing to a nail-biting chase. The match went down to the last over as Al Amin Hossain delivered well, but not well enough to stop Afridi’s late fireworks that sealed a thrilling three-wicket victory with just one ball to spare.
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2014
The India-Pakistan rivalry lived up to expectations in this clash. Batting first, India scored 245, led by Rohit Sharma (56), Ambati Rayudu (58), and Ravindra Jadeja (52*). Captain Virat Kohli failed to live up to his expectations, departing for a paltry 5-run outing in this match, falling prey to Umar Gul. For Pakistan, Saeed Ajmal shone with the ball with 3 for 40 off his 10 overs.
Pakistan chased the target down in the final over, winning with two balls to spare. Mohammad Hafeez was the star with a crucial 75 runs and two wickets, guiding Pakistan home in another intense finish. However, the real hero of the match was Shahid Afridi, who smashed a couple of sixes under immense pressure in the last over to seal the deal for the Men in Green.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2012 final
The 2012 final played between Pakistan and Bangladesh remains one of the closest games in Asia Cup history. Pakistan set a target of 236/9, with Sarfaraz Ahmed top-scoring with 46*. Star spinner was the best performer with the ball, taking a couple of wickets for just 39 runs in his 10-over spell. Meanwhile, Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdur Razzak also scalped two each.
In reply, Tamim Iqbal (60) and Shakib Al Hasan (68) kept Bangladesh in the hunt. However, their efforts were not enough to bring the side in a comfortable position. Needing nine off the final over, Pakistan's Aizaz Cheema delivered under pressure, conceding just six runs as Pakistan won by two runs, clinching their second title in the Asia Cup history.
India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2022
In the Super Four clash of the 2022 edition, which was played in T20I format, India posted 173, powered by Rohit Sharma’s 72. Suryakumar Yadav also hit a 29-ball 34, while rest of the batters could not impress with their contributions. The Lankan bowlers, led by Dilshan Madushanka, who took 3 wickets for just 24 in his four overs, kept the Men in Blue batters in check.
Chasing 174, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start through Pathum Nissanka (52) and Kusal Mendis (57). Cameos by Bhanuka Rajapaksa (25 off 17) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (33 off 18) during the second half of the chase saw Sri Lanka win with one ball to spare, handing India a narrow defeat. The Lankan Lions moved further in the tournament and beat Pakistan in the grand finale to taste huge success.
