The 13th edition of the Asia Cup was held in Bangladesh from February 24 to March 6, 2016, and it
marked a significant turning point in the tournament’s history-it was the first time the Asia Cup was
played in the T20I format. The change was made to align the tournament with the upcoming ICC
T20 World Cup 2016 and to reflect the growing popularity of T20 cricket across the continent.
Format:
The 2016 Asia Cup featured five teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), who qualified via the Asia Cup Qualifier. Each team played the others once in
a round-robin format, with the top two advancing to the final.
Participating Teams:
1. India
2. Pakistan
3. Sri Lanka
4. Bangladesh
5. UAE (Qualifier Winner)
Key Highlights:
1. India’s Unstoppable Form:
India dominated the tournament with clinical performances in all departments. Under the captaincyof MS Dhoni, India won all their matches, culminating in a convincing victory over Bangladesh in the
final. Their bowling attack, led by Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah, complemented a stable and
aggressive batting lineup featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
2. Virat Kohli’s Mastery:
Virat Kohli was the batting star of the tournament. His match-winning innings against Pakistan (49*
on a tough pitch) was hailed as one of his best in T20s, where he calmly navigated Mohammad
Amir’s lethal spell to guide India to victory.
3. Bangladesh’s Rise:
Bangladesh proved they were no longer pushovers, reaching their second Asia Cup final after
beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the league stage. Led by Mashrafe Mortaza, and powered by
Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, and Al-Amin Hossain, they played bold and smart cricket, earning
praise for their tactical awareness.
4. Sri Lanka’s Decline:
The defending champions were a shadow of their former selves. Transitioning from the
Jayawardene-Sangakkara era, they failed to find consistent performances and finished fourth in the
group.
5. Pakistan’s Inconsistencies:
Pakistan struggled with their batting, especially in the game against India where they were bowled
out for just 83. Mohammad Amir’s return to international cricket, however, was a standout, as he
bowled with ferocity and skill throughout the tournament.
6. UAE’s Grit:Though they didn’t win a game, UAE’s qualification and participation were notable. They fought hard
in each match, especially troubling Sri Lanka with their bowling in a close contest.
Final Match Recap:
– Final: India vs Bangladesh
– Venue: Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
– Bangladesh: 120/5 (15 overs – reduced due to rain)
– India: 122/2 (13.5 overs)
– Result: India won by 8 wickets
Player of the Final: Shikhar Dhawan (60 runs)
Player of the Tournament: Sabbir Rahman (176 runs in 5 matches)
Statistical Leaders:
– Most Runs: Sabbir Rahman (Bangladesh) – 176 runs
– Most Wickets: Al-Amin Hossain (Bangladesh) – 11 wickets
– Best Bowling: Mohammad Amir – 3/18 vs India
– Highest Team Total: India – 166/6 vs UAE
Significance:
The 2016 edition symbolized the Asia Cup’s adaptability and evolution with modern cricket. India’s
dominant performance underlined their T20 credentials ahead of the World Cup, while Bangladesh’s
progress inspired growing confidence in their global potential.
Key Points:
Asia Cup 2016 was a landmark edition that embraced the shortest format and witnessed newheroes rising to the fore. India reaffirmed their white-ball dominance, Bangladesh showcased their
rapid rise in international cricket, and the inclusion of UAE reflected the growing depth of Asian
cricket. It set a precedent for the tournament’s flexibility and its role as a springboard to global ICC events.