Asia Cup-2010: History & Future!

Asia, not only the largest Continent on Earth but it’s the biggest region when it comes to the craze for Cricket.  Asia is really the power house of Cricket. Nations like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and now Bangladesh have contributed a plenty to the Cricket world.

Asia Cup is a tournament that features all these 4 teams in ODIs. The tournament was first played in 1984 in Sharjah, UAE organized by ACCA, the Asian Cricket Council. However, this tournament has not been held regularly due to the unfavorable political and Cricket affairs between different Asian nations, especially between India and Pakistan.

A total of 8 editions of Asia Cup Cricket Tournament have been held. India and Sri Lanka have been victorious 4 times each. The first Asia Cup was won by India in 1984. However, in 1986, Sri Lanka managed to become the Asian Champions. In 1988, team India regained the title.

Indian cricket team managed to defend the title in 1990-91. Then in 1993, the Asia Cup was scheduled to be held in Pakistan but due to political tensions, it was not held. In 1995, once again India cricket team managed to successfully defend the title. In 1997, Sri Lankan team came up as victorious.

Pakistan Cricket team could only win the Asia Cup Cricket Tournament in year 2000, held in Bangladesh. There was again a gap of 4 years when the Asian rivals locked horns again in 2004. This time, Sri Lanka reclaimed the title.

The last time Asia Cup was held in 2008, when Pakistan was hosting the event for the first time. Sri Lanka cricket team again managed to win the title when they beat India in the Final.

Now, the 9^th edition of the Asia Cup Cricket tournament is going to be held from June 15, in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

It’s not easy to figure out the favorites for the Asia Cup-2010. Not because all teams are evenly good, but because the performance of these teams have not been impressive in the recent times. Let’s have a look at each team:

Team India:

Indian cricket team is struggling with
form and consistency. India had to quit T20 World Cup-2010 in the super-8 round. Then, the team, consisted of youngsters, was comprehensively beaten by both Sri Lanka and the minnows Zimbabwe in the recently held Tri-nation cup. However, with the seniors back in the squad, MS Dhoni –led Indian Cricket team is expected to do a lot better in the Asia Cup-2010.

Team Pakistan:

Pakistan is also struggling with unity and professionalism. The disastrous tour of Australia is still taking its toll on Pakistan team. Led by Shahid Afridi, Pakistan Cricket team has managed to get to the Semi-finals of the T20 World Cup-2010 but the overall performance in the mega event was not satisfactory.

The biggest problem of Pakistan team is the lack of unity. Filled with controversies varying from match-fixing to grouping, Pakistan team needs to get out of this very difficult phase. Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, has already mentioned that Pakistan cricket is in its worst phase in the last 3 decades. However, led by Shahid Afridi, and powered by Mohammed Asif and speedster Shoaib Akhter, Pakistan team is expected to gain some respect in this Asia Cup tournament.

Team Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka, the hosts, is also not in the best of shapes. Although they managed to reach the semi-finals of T20 World Cup-2010, but the way they played in the Semi-finals and the rest of the tournament, most of the people believed they did not deserve to be in the final four. Then, in the Tri-nation series held in Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka could not outplay Zimbabwe and the relatively young Indian side. Tillakaratne Dilshan-led side managed to won the tri-nation cup, but they have to play a lot better cricket to win the Asia Cup-2010. 

Team Bangladesh:

The Bengal tigers have always been struggling against the big teams. Ever since Bangladesh got test status in 2000, the South-Asian team has not been able to achieve a major victory against any big team. So, I don’t think one should expect a lot for this team. However, players like Tamim Iqbal and the captain Shakib Al Hasan can provide some great individual performances.

Well, this is our analysis of the teams playing the Asia Cup Cricket Tournament-2010. Hope you enjoyed it. If not, then it’s your turn now!

Your Turn Now!  Which team is your favorite in the Asia Cup-2010? Do you think India can win the Asia Cup? Is this tournament a starting point for World Cup-2011? Or Anything Else…Tell in your COMMENTS!