Asia Cup: History, records and trivia

Tags: Asia Cup T20 2016, records

Published on: Feb 19, 2016

The qualifying round of the 2016 Asia Cup begins tomorrow. Here's a look at some interesting trivia and records at the event over the years

The qualifying round of the 2016 Asia Cup begins tomorrow. Here's a look at some interesting trivia and records at the event over the years.

A brief history

The Asia Cup was held for the first time in Sharjah in the UAE in 1984. Since, there have been 12 editions of the tournament. From 1984 until 1997, the tournament was held every alternate year. But the lack of popularity of the event meant it was only held thrice from 2000-2010, in 2000, 2004 and 2008. From 2008, the event went back to being a biennial event, with the latest tournament taking place in Bangladesh in 2014. While all the editions so far have been ODIs, this year's event is a T20 tournament, keeping in mind the upcoming World T20. Henceforth, the event will either be in a ODI or T20 format depending on the succeeding world event to follow.

Asia Cup records

Virat Kohli's 183 is the highest individual score in an Asia Cup match.

Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya holds the record for the most runs in an Asia Cup tournament. He clubbed 378 runs in the 2008 edition.

Jayasuriya also holds the record for the most hundreds in the tournament. He has a total of six to his name.

Another record in Jayasuriya's name is that of most fours -- 139

The record for the most sixes, not surprisingly, is held by Shahid Afridi -- 26.

Jayasuriya's former Lankan teammate Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for the most fifty plus scores in the event -- 12.

Among batsmen who have played a minimum of 10 innings, MS Dhoni has the best average, with 95.16.

The record for the highest strike rate, again not surprisingly, is held by Afridi -- 140.74.

Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez & Nasir Jamshed hold the record for the highest partnership in the Asia Cup. They added 224 against India in 2012.

Pakistan's Salman Butt, Sri Lanka's Jayawardene and Bangladesh's Aminul Islam hold the dubious record for most ducks -- 3 each.

Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis claimed 6 for 13 against India in 2008. This remains the best bowling figures in the competition.

Mendis also holds the record for the most wickets in a single edition -- 17 in 2008 itself.

Lasith Malinga has taken most five-wicket hauls in the tournament -- 3.

As a keeper, Sangakkara has effected most dismissals with 36 -- 27 catches and 9 stumpings.

As a fielder, Jayawardene has taken most catches -- 15.

The highest team total in the event is 385 for 7 by Pakistan against Bangladesh in 2010.

The lowest score is 87 by Bangladesh against Pakistan in 2010.

Success stories

Jayasuriya has scored most runs in the Asia Cup with 1220.

Muttiah Muralitharan is the most successful bowler with a grand total of 30 wickets.

Arjuna Ranatunga and Navjot Sidhu have won the man of the tournament twice. Sidhu was also the man of the final in one edition.

Mohammad Azharuddin has been man of the final in two editions.

-- By A Cricket Analyst

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