Win Projections to be updated soon
The Asia Cup 2023, which will be played in the One-Day International (ODI) format, will pit six teams against one another and provide ardent cricket fans with a visual treat before the World Cup 2023. India and Pakistan are the current favorites to win the prestigious continental competition, which runs from August 31 to September 17.
Before the match, it’s time to look back on some astounding records that some Asian cricket superstars have set. Many new records will be set and many old ones broken in the Asia Cup in the coming years, but some records that were set by illustrious people in the past might stand the test of time.
Here are the five Asia Cup records that might never get shattered in the history of the tournament
1. highest opening partnership of 224 between Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez
At the Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur during the 2012 Asia Cup, India and Pakistan fought each other. It was a terrific game for the supporters of both clubs because both teams played aggressive cricket. Misbah-ul-Haq, the captain of Pakistan, chose to bat first after winning the toss.
The Pakistani team got off to a strong start thanks to the bats of openers Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed, who both radiated confidence. The 224-run partnership between the two players is a continental championship record. Hafeez played a remarkable knock of 105 off 113, and Jamshed also hit 112 off 104.
Pakistan recorded a score of 329 thanks to the outstanding performances of both of their openers. But in the end, their efforts were in vain because India defeated them by six wickets thanks to Virat Kohli’s incredible 183-run innings. Given the recent shift in batting tactics, it might be argued that Hafeez and Jamshed’s opening partnership record won’t be beaten in the Asia Cup since contemporary openers do not have the patience to build a titanic relationship like the Pakistani pair in a 50-over match.
2. MS Dhoni’s most matches as a skipper
The Asia Cup’s most Asia Cup matches have been captained by former India captain MS Dhoni. He served India in the continental trophy from 2008 to 2012 as a regular skipper. He led the side to the final of the 2008 Asia Cup, which was played in Pakistan, but he was unable to bring home a trophy since Sri Lanka played outstandingly on the decisive day, winning by 100 runs to take home the prize.
Under the guidance of the wicketkeeper-batter, India was able to win the Asia Cup trophy at the 2010 tournament in Sri Lanka. Dhoni and his team competed in four games and won three of them, defeating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group stage and crushing Sri Lanka by 81 runs in the final at Dambulla to win the competition.
Since Bangladesh defeated India in the competition and secured their berth in the final against Pakistan, he was unable to duplicate his 2010 victory in the 2012 edition of the competition. The customary tournament captain, Rohit Sharma, was rested for the match against Afghanistan; therefore, Dhoni was seen leading the team. He has so far played in 14 matches as a captain, which makes him the Asia Cup player with the most such experience. According to Dhoni’s accomplishments, it is unlikely that another captain will surpass his record for the Asia Cup. At the time Dhoni set this record, the continental tournament was held every two years and was also played in the ODI format.
3. MS Dhoni & Kumara Sangakkara’s joint record of the most dismissals as wicketkeepers
Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka and MS Dhoni of India will be remembered as the best wicketkeepers in cricket history. In ODI cricket, both heroes used their skills as wicketkeepers to pursue more than 900 batsmen behind the wickets. Regarding their performances in the Asia Cup, both have a shared record for the most dismissals as wicketkeepers (36 each).
Sangakkara not only had a stellar performance as a batter but also had a fantastic performance as a keeper as Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup trophy in 2004. He performed 11 dismissals during the contest and held the Asia Cup record for the most batters dismissed by a wicketkeeper.
MS Dhoni broke Sangakkara’s record by stalking 12 batsmen behind the wickets during the 2018 edition of the continental event. Given the combined record of Dhoni and Sangakkara, it can’t be completely ruled out that no wicketkeeper in the Asia Cup will be able to match or surpass this mark.
4. Ajantha Mendis’s 6/13 figures
Due to his methodical bowling, Ajantha Mendis made his debut in international cricket in 2008 and quickly rose to prominence. Mendis was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s win at the 2008 Asia Cup. The gifted spinner finished as the competition’s top wicket-taker with 17 wickets in five games at a fantastic economy rate of 3.45.
His best effort came in the championship game versus India at Karachi’s National Stadium. Mendis bowled eight overs, claimed six wickets, conceded just 13 runs, and helped his team defend 273 runs. He became a mystery to Indian batsmen due to his tight delivery.
He picked up vital players like Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, and Irfan Pathan as he destroyed India’s top and middle order during his superb run. With six wickets and thirteen runs in eight overs, the off-break bowler finished his performance. It’s possible that spectators at the Asia Cup may never see such a brilliant performance in the continental trophy’s final.
5. Virat Kohli’s individual highest score of 183
Virat Kohli was a rising star in ODI batting in 2012. He attracted a lot of attention to himself in February 2012 when he played an incredible innings of 133 (86) against Sri Lanka in Hobart. With this knock, he showed his ability to lead India to victory in crucial matches.
At the 2012 Asia Cup, Kohli again proved his mettle against Pakistan. The Indian team needed to defeat the Men in Green in order to advance in the tournament after Bangladesh made a stunning comeback and defeated India. India needed to defeat Pakistan in their next game at Shere Bangla Stadium after that defeat.
Pakistan decided to bat first after winning the toss and set a lofty goal of 330 runs for the scoreboard. India, which was chasing the score, lost to Gautam Gambhir in the first over, but Kohli, who was projecting confidence throughout the match, forged significant partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma to help the side go close to the goal.
When India just needed 12 runs off of 17 in the 48th over, the talented hitter was removed on 183. The Men in Blue won the match by six wickets, and Kohli was named Player of the Match for his historic performance. The greatest individual score in the history of the competition is Kohli’s astonishing 183-run innings, making it one of the most incredible feats that might be difficult for future generations to top.
India
