Asia Cup 2025 is ready to begin on September 9 within the United Arab Emirates, marking the seventeenth version of this prestigious continental cricket match. As Asia’s premier cricket competitors prepares for one more thrilling chapter, the match will function eight groups competing within the Twenty20 Worldwide (T20I) format over 20 days till September 28. This version represents the third time the Asia Cup can be held within the shortest format, following earlier T20I tournaments in 2016 and 2022.
Format and construction of Asia Cup 2025
Asia Cup 2025 options an expanded format with eight taking part groups divided into two teams of 4 groups every. Group A includes India, Pakistan, Oman, and hosts UAE, whereas Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The match follows a structured development the place the highest two groups from every group advance to the Tremendous 4 stage, competing in a round-robin format earlier than the highest two groups contest the ultimate on September 28.
The matches can be held at two premier venues within the UAE: Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium (internet hosting 11 matches with a capability of 25,000) and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi (internet hosting 8 matches with a capability of 20,000). This represents the most important Asia Cup by way of taking part groups, increasing from the standard six-team format to eight nations.
The 5 full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan – robotically certified for the match. The remaining three spots had been crammed by UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, who earned qualification by their top-three end on the 2024 ACC Premier Cup. The match’s relocation to the UAE occurred because of safety issues, with the impartial venue chosen for its expertise internet hosting high-profile worldwide cricket tournaments.
Historic T20I Asia Cup winners and champions
The Asia Cup’s journey within the T20I format showcases the dominance of conventional Asian cricket powers. India emerged victorious within the inaugural T20I Asia Cup in 2016, hosted in Bangladesh, the place they defeated Bangladesh within the remaining by eight wickets. Underneath MS Dhoni’s captaincy, India posted a commanding efficiency, limiting Bangladesh to 120 runs earlier than reaching the goal with ease, with Shikhar Dhawan incomes the Participant of the Match award for his match-winning 60-run knock.
Sri Lanka captured their most up-to-date Asia Cup title in 2022, when the match returned to the T20I format after a six-year hole. The island nation defeated Pakistan by 23 runs within the remaining, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s unbeaten 71 runs securing him the Man of the Match award. Sri Lanka’s triumph got here after posting 170 runs within the first innings and efficiently defending the entire by limiting Pakistan to 147 runs.
These two T20I editions display the aggressive steadiness in Asian cricket, with India’s eight general Asia Cup titles (together with seven ODI and one T20I) making them essentially the most profitable nation within the match’s historical past. Sri Lanka follows with six titles, whereas Pakistan has claimed two championships. The 2025 version guarantees to proceed this legacy of intense competitors amongst cricket’s Asian powerhouses.
Asia Cup: Participant of the Match
The T20I Asia Cup format has produced two distinctive Participant of the Match winners, each showcasing the varied expertise throughout Asian cricket nations.
Sabbir Rahman (Bangladesh) – 2016 T20I Asia Cup:
The Bangladeshi batter grew to become the first-ever Participant of the Match in T20I Asia Cup historical past, accumulating 176 runs throughout 5 matches at a formidable common of 44.00 and strike charge of 123.94. Rahman’s standout efficiency got here towards Sri Lanka in Mirpur, the place he scored an impressive 80 off 54 balls, studded with 10 fours, main Bangladesh to their first-ever T20I victory over Sri Lanka. His constant batting all through the match, together with scores of 44 towards India and essential contributions in strain conditions, earned him recognition because the match’s main performer regardless of Bangladesh’s runner-up end.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 2022 T20I Asia Cup:

The Sri Lankan leg-spinning all-rounder delivered a masterclass within the 2022 version, contributing 66 runs and claiming 9 wickets all through the match. Hasaranga’s all-round excellence proved instrumental in Sri Lanka’s championship victory, with match-winning performances towards each Bangladesh and Pakistan. His capability to contribute with each bat and ball exemplified the trendy T20 all-rounder’s position, significantly evident within the Tremendous 4 match towards Pakistan the place he claimed 3 wickets for 21 runs, limiting Pakistan to 121 runs. Hasaranga’s match efficiency established him as one of many premier T20I all-rounders globally.
Each gamers signify the evolving nature of T20I cricket, the place particular person brilliance can considerably affect match outcomes whereas showcasing the depth of expertise throughout totally different Asian cricket nations.
Additionally READ: Asia Cup 2025 Tickets on sale: Check price, booking procedure for India vs Pakistan and other matches
Asia Cup: Right here’s the whole listing of Participant of the Match until date
Yr | Format | Participant (Staff) | Efficiency Particulars |
1984 | ODI | Surinder Khanna
(India) |
107 runs |
1986 | ODI | Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) | 105 runs & 4 wickets |
1988 | ODI | Navjot Sidhu (India) | 179 runs |
1990/1991 | ODI | – | – |
1995 | ODI | Navjot Sidhu
(India) |
197 runs |
1997 | ODI | Arjuna Ranatunga
(Sri Lanka) |
272 runs |
2000 | ODI | Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) | 295 runs |
2004 | ODI | Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 293 runs & 4 wickets |
2008 | ODI | Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) | 17 wickets |
2010 | ODI | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) | 265 runs & 3 wickets |
2012 | ODI | Shakib Al Hasan
(Bangladesh) |
237 runs & 6 wickets |
2014 | ODI | Lahiru Thirimanne (Sri Lanka) | 279 runs |
2016 | T20I | Sabbir Rahman (Bangladesh) | 176 runs |
2018 | ODI | Shikhar Dhawan (India) | 342 runs |
2022 | T20I | Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) | 66 runs & 9 wickets |
2023 | ODI | Kuldeep Yadav (India) | 9 wickets |
Additionally READ: Irfan Pathan picks Sanju Samson’s ideal batting order for India in Asia Cup 2025