The 12th edition of the Asia Cup was held in Bangladesh from February 25 to March 8, 2014. It
featured five teams-India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and for the first time, Afghanistan.
Played in the 50-over ODI format, this edition turned out to be one of the most competitive and
closely watched tournaments, especially due to the emergence of Afghanistan as a new force and
the revival of Sri Lankan cricket.
Format:
The tournament followed a round-robin format, where each team played the other once. The top two
teams after the league stage advanced to the final. All matches were held at the Khan Shaheb
Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah and Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
Participating Teams:
1. India
2. Pakistan
3. Sri Lanka
4. Bangladesh
5. Afghanistan
Key Highlights:
1. Sri Lanka’s Unbeaten Run:Sri Lanka emerged as the undisputed champions of the 2014 Asia Cup, winning all five of their
matches. Under Angelo Mathews’ leadership, they displayed consistency with both bat and ball.
Lahiru Thirimanne was the standout performer, scoring centuries against Pakistan in the opener and
again in the final.
2. Malinga’s Lethal Spell:
Lasith Malinga was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s triumph. In the final against Pakistan, his fiery spell of
5/56 helped restrict Pakistan to a manageable score of 260. Malinga’s yorkers and slower deliveries
proved too much for most batters throughout the tournament.
3. Afghanistan’s Impressive Debut:
Afghanistan marked their first Asia Cup appearance with a bang. Despite losing their opener to
Pakistan, they stunned hosts Bangladesh by chasing down 255 with confidence. Their spirited
performances earned them respect and signaled their arrival on the big stage.
4. Pakistan’s Rollercoaster:
Defending champions Pakistan had a mixed run. They managed a thrilling last-over win against
India, courtesy of a Shahid Afridi blitz. However, their bowling was inconsistent, especially in the
final where they couldn’t defend 260.
5. India’s Transition Period:
India entered the tournament without regular captain MS Dhoni, who was ruled out due to injury.
Virat Kohli led the side, scoring a century against Bangladesh, but India failed to make the final after
losses to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. Bangladesh’s Disappointment:Despite home advantage, Bangladesh lost all their matches. Their bowling lacked penetration, and
their batting often faltered under pressure.
Final Match Recap:
– Final: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
– Venue: Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
– Pakistan: 260 all out (50 overs)
– Sri Lanka: 261/5 (46.2 overs)
– Result: Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets
Player of the Final: Lahiru Thirimanne (101 runs)
Player of the Tournament: Lahiru Thirimanne (279 runs in 5 matches)
Statistical Leaders:
– Most Runs: Lahiru Thirimanne (Sri Lanka) – 279 runs
– Most Wickets: Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 11 wickets
– Highest Team Total: India – 300/7 vs Bangladesh
– Best Bowling Figures: Lasith Malinga – 5/56 in the final
Significance:
The 2014 Asia Cup showcased the strength of Sri Lanka’s transition phase post the
Jayawardene-Sangakkara era. It also marked Afghanistan’s breakthrough in mainstream
international cricket, laying the foundation for future full-member recognition. Pakistan’s flair and
India’s underwhelming campaign underlined the competitiveness of Asian cricket at the time.
Conclusion:
The 2014 edition of the Asia Cup was memorable for its high-quality cricket, a dominant Sri Lankan
campaign, and the rise of Afghanistan. With packed stadiums, emerging stars, and high-stakes
drama, it reinforced the Asia Cup’s position as a premier regional tournament in the world of ODI cricket.