Asia Cup 2025 is just one day away, and everyone is looking forward to a new history. Although we have seen many dramas and unforgettable moments, it remains to be seen whether the underdogs will rise this time. In the Asia Cup cricket, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are considered the strongest teams, and Afghanistan, the UAE, and Hong Kong are seen as underdogs. Oman is all set to make a new face in the tournament. Looking back, many teams that were once labeled as "underdogs" have defied expectations and achieved memorable victories, becoming an unforgettable part of Asia Cup history. Here are some of the less-fancied team's moments that can't be hidden.
Sri Lanka Vs India (1997)
Before the rise of the modern underdogs, Sri Lanka had a great run in the 1997 final. Chasing a target of 239/7 set by India, helped by Mohammad Azharuddin's 81 runs, and chased it down with amazing composure. Half-centuries from Marvan Atapattu (84) and Sanath Jayasuriya (63) secured an eight-wicket victory in just 36.5 overs - a testament to their tactical prowess.
India Vs Bangladesh (2012)
Bangladesh, still building a good reputation, achieved a stunning victory by defeating India by five wickets in the 2012 Asia Cup. Sachin Tendulkar's 100th century and Virat Kohli's blistering performance helped India reach a score of 290. But Bangladesh completely changed the story with their intense batting performance. Three Bangladesh batsmen scored half-centuries, and the Great Wall of India was demolished.
India Vs Hong Kong (2018)
Hong Kong stunned everyone with a thrilling encounter against India in the 2018 Asia Cup. Chasing an enormous target of 286, Hong Kong openers Nisakat Khan and Anshuman Rath put on a record stand of 174 to put India under severe pressure. For a moment, it looked as if Hong Kong would respond with one of the biggest upsets in Asia Cup history. However, as this partnership crumbled, India's bowlers regained control and cruised to a 26-run victory. Although they didn’t win the game but they won the hearts of the fans with their outstanding performance against a cricketing giant.
Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka (2018)
In the 2018 Asia Cup, the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match, Bangladesh faced one of the best teams in the world. The tigers delivered a masterclass and controlled the entire game, registering a remarkable win by 137 runs in Dubai. Mushfiqur Rahim secured that charge with a magnificent 144 off 150 balls, supported by Mohammad Mithun’s balanced 63. Sri Lanka needed 262 runs to win. But they could not keep up with Bangladesh's bowlers. The Lions were all out for just 124 runs; it was a signal of a new era in Asia Cup cricket.
India Vs Afganistan (2018)
Batting first, Afghanistan, Shahzad's century and Nabi's half-century helped them post a challenging total of 252. The Indian top order played well, but the middle order could not cope. Needing seven runs to win with one wicket to spare in the last over, Jadeja hit a boundary off Rashid with just two balls left. Instead of a shot, Jadeja went for a big shot and crossed the line, which resulted in a draw.
India Vs Bangladesh (2018)
The 2018 Asia Cup final in Dubai turned out to be a thrilling fight till the last ball between India and Bangladesh. Batting first without stars like Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh made 222 runs. Litton Das performed well and scored 121 runs. India, one of the best cricket teams, struggled against Bangladesh's energetic bowling attack and reached the turning point of the chase. With just one run to spare off the last ball, Kedar Jadhav's brilliant performance took India to 223/7 and won their seventh Asia Cup title. Although Bangladesh lost, their performance made the match one of the best finals in Asia Cup history.
Sri Lanka Vs Afghanistan (2023)
Sri Lanka is considered one of the strongest teams, while Afghanistan has more moments of success but has yet to reach the expected level in the Asia Cup. The match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan (2023) was a result of miscommunication from the Afghanistan team, which then led to Sri Lanka winning the match. Chasing 292, Afghanistan were out of the game until Mohammad Nabi revived the game with a 32-ball 65. Rashid Khan tried his best. However, the lack of communication from the dressing room was an indication that the batsmen were unaware that they would have qualified if they had scored 295 in 37.5 overs. This miscommunication led Sri Lanka to victory in the match.
Asia Cup 2025: The Next Underdog Story to Be Written
The Asia Cup has proven time and again that cricket is never foreseeable. While big giants like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have often controlled, Underdog teams like Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan rose to the occasion and created extraordinary victories, thrilling finishes, and great moments. These matches remind us of determination, hard work, and teamwork that elevate the team's level and are written in history. As we await the 2025 Asia Cup, fans are excited to know the new heroes and the possibility of another underdog once again defying expectations and creating indelible memories.