The five biggest shockers in Asia Cup history

This year’s Asia Cup will once again be played in the One-Day International (ODI) format. From August 31 to September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the continental competition will be played. As the defending champions, Sri Lanka will approach the competition with a lot of confidence after recently winning the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023. They will be trying to retain their championship.

Given that both teams have recently produced high-caliber cricket, India and Pakistan will be the favorites in the tournament. Given that Bangladesh and Afghanistan have improved significantly over the past few iterations of the continental event, the top teams will aim to play at their peak against the underdogs as well. Fans have seen little teams pull off upsets against big teams during the course of the tournament’s last 12 years, eliminating the latter from contention.

Here are the five shocking upsets in Asia Cup history

1. Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (2018)

Bangladesh finished their 2018 Asia Cup campaign as runners-up after falling to India in the championship match. Throughout their incredible voyage in the competition, they exuded confidence and defeated top-tier opposition. Bangladesh got off to a strong start in the competition, crushing Sri Lanka by 137 runs in the first match at the Dubai International Stadium.

Mashrafe Mortaza, the skipper of Bangladesh, chose to bat first after winning the toss. Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan were both bowled by Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga in the first over of the game as he attacked the Bangladesh top order with his bowling. However, with their scores of 144 (150) and 63 (68), respectively, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun supported Bangladesh’s innings while they were at the crease.

Sri Lanka’s hitters failed to put up a focused performance after being challenged to chase 262 runs. Bangladesh bowlers worked together to force Sri Lanka to be struck out at 124. Rahim received the Player of the Match honor for his brilliant 144-run innings.

 2. Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka (2018)

Fans of Sri Lanka were devastated to see their team lose to Afghanistan in a humiliating fashion after watching them lose to Bangladesh in their initial game. Sri Lanka succumbed to the Afghan team by 91 runs in the pivotal game played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium after failing to hold on under pressure.

Afghanistan scored 249 runs after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah both contributed effectively and produced great blows of 34 (47) and 45 (65), respectively. After both of the openers were out, Rahmat Shah dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers, scoring 72 runs off of 90 pitches.

Kusal Mendis was gone early in Sri Lanka’s pursuit of the score, but the 53-run partnership between Upul Tharanga and Dhananjaya de Silva provided some solace. The Sri Lankan batsmen were, however, silenced by Afghan bowlers, which caused the collapse. Sri Lanka finished their innings at 158, and with this crushing loss, they were also eliminated from the competition.

3. Bangladesh vs Pakistan (2018)

Bangladesh eliminated Pakistan, handing them a 37-run loss in the Super 4 round, following their dramatic victory over Sri Lanka in the group round. It was a game that both teams had to win, and Bangladesh did a fantastic job of handling the pressure to set up the final against the Men in Blue in Dubai.

After losing the toss and being given the ball to begin the game, Pakistan did a fantastic job. Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, and Litton Das were all bowled out within five overs by Junaid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who destroyed Bangladesh’s top order. When early wickets started to fall, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun once again came to the rescue.

A crucial 144-run partnership between the two batsmen allowed Bangladesh to score 239 runs in just 48.5 overs, a respectable total. Mithun made 60 (84) for his team, and Rahim played a magnificent knock of 99 (116). Pakistan lost their three most important batsmen early on while chasing the objective of 240 runs: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Imam-ul-Haq remained at the crease till the 41st over, scoring 83 off 105 deliveries, but he didn’t receive enough assistance from the other batsmen, which resulted in Pakistan’s defeat in the match.

4. Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (2012)

Bangladesh displayed an exceptional performance at home during the 2012 Asia Cup, earning a spot in the final for the first time ever. They appeared certain during the competition and upset the campaigns of both India and Sri Lanka with their victories over both excellent teams in the group stage.

In order to join Pakistan in the championship game, Bangladesh had to defeat the illustrious Sri Lankan team in the final game of the group stage. Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim chose to field first after winning the toss. Mahela Jayawardene, Kumara Sangakkara, and Tilakaratne Dilshan were all dismissed by Nazmul Hossain within the first 10 overs, wrecking havoc on Sri Lanka’s top order.

To help Sri Lanka score 232 runs in 49.5 overs, Chamara Kapugedera formed a few crucial partnerships with Lahiru Thirimane and Upul Tharanga. 212 in 40 overs (DLS method) was Bangladesh’s amended target after a weather delay.

Tamim Iqbal (59 off 57) and Shakib Al Hasan (56 off 46) kept Bangladesh in the game as they chased down the target after Nazimuddin, Jahurul Islam, and captain Mushfiqur Rahim fell early. With their respective match-winning scores of 36* (61) and 32* (33), Nasir Hossain and Mahmuddullah assumed leadership when Iqbal and Shakib were dismissed. Shakib won Player of the Match honors for his half-century and a 2/56 session in the five-wicket victory for the Bangladeshi team.

5. Bangladesh vs India (2012)

The most advantageous thing that happened to Bangladesh at the 2012 Asia Cup was that they managed to surpass the tournament favorites, Sri Lanka and India. Bangladesh finished their adventure as runners-up. They played an aggressive brand of cricket to advance to the championship game after losing the first game to Pakistan by 21 runs.

Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first when playing the second game in Mirpur. Virat Kohli’s 66 (82), Suresh Raina’s quick 51 off 38, and Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th international century helped India set Bangladesh a lofty target of 290. The Men in Blue made an early inroad as Praveen Kumar picked up Nazimuddin while defending the total.

With scores of 70 (99) and 53 (68), respectively, Tamim Iqbal and Jahurul Islam stepped up after Nazimuddin’s dismissal to help their side. Middle-order batters’ confidence was also strengthened by the victories of both batters. In order to get the Bangladeshi team back into the game, Nasir Hossain, who had a 54-run inning, partnered with Shakib for 68 runs. Mushfiqur’s match-winning innings of 46 off just 25 runs after Shakib’s dismissal destroyed India’s bowling attack and helped Bangladesh win the match. Shakib won the Player of the Match prize after the game for his 49-run innings on 31 deliveries.