Asia Cup: Here’s the full list of Player of the Tournament till date

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Asia Cup 2025 is set to commence on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates, marking the 17th edition of this prestigious continental cricket tournament. As Asia’s premier cricket competition prepares for another thrilling chapter, the tournament will feature eight teams competing in the Twenty20 International (T20I) format over 20 days until September 28. This edition represents the third time the Asia Cup will be held in the shortest format, following previous T20I tournaments in 2016 and 2022.

Asia Cup 2025 features an expanded format with eight participating teams divided into two groups of four teams each. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, Oman, and hosts UAE, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The tournament follows a structured progression where the top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four stage, competing in a round-robin format before the top two teams contest the final on September 28.

The matches will be held at two premier venues in the UAE: Dubai International Cricket Stadium (hosting 11 matches with a capacity of 25,000) and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi (hosting 8 matches with a capacity of 20,000). This represents the largest Asia Cup in terms of participating teams, expanding from the traditional six-team format to eight nations.

The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan – automatically qualified for the tournament. The remaining three spots were filled by UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, who earned qualification through their top-three finish at the 2024 ACC Premier Cup. The tournament’s relocation to the UAE occurred due to security concerns, with the neutral venue selected for its experience hosting high-profile international cricket tournaments.

The Asia Cup’s journey in the T20I format showcases the dominance of traditional Asian cricket powers. India emerged victorious in the inaugural T20I Asia Cup in 2016, hosted in Bangladesh, where they defeated Bangladesh in the final by eight wickets. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, India posted a commanding performance, restricting Bangladesh to 120 runs before achieving the target with ease, with Shikhar Dhawan earning the Player of the Match award for his match-winning 60-run knock.

Sri Lanka captured their most recent Asia Cup title in 2022, when the tournament returned to the T20I format after a six-year gap. The island nation defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in the final, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s unbeaten 71 runs securing him the Man of the Match award. Sri Lanka’s triumph came after posting 170 runs in the first innings and successfully defending the total by limiting Pakistan to 147 runs.

These two T20I editions demonstrate the competitive balance in Asian cricket, with India’s eight overall Asia Cup titles (including seven ODI and one T20I) making them the most successful nation in the tournament’s history. Sri Lanka follows with six titles, while Pakistan has claimed two championships. The 2025 edition promises to continue this legacy of intense competition among cricket’s Asian powerhouses.

The T20I Asia Cup format has produced two exceptional Player of the Tournament winners, both showcasing the diverse talent across Asian cricket nations.

Sabbir Rahman (Bangladesh) – 2016 T20I Asia Cup:

The Bangladeshi batter became the first-ever Player of the Tournament in T20I Asia Cup history, accumulating 176 runs across five matches at an impressive average of 44.00 and strike rate of 123.94. Rahman’s standout performance came against Sri Lanka in Mirpur, where he scored a magnificent 80 off 54 balls, studded with 10 fours, leading Bangladesh to their first-ever T20I victory over Sri Lanka. His consistent batting throughout the tournament, including scores of 44 against India and crucial contributions in pressure situations, earned him recognition as the tournament’s leading performer despite Bangladesh’s runner-up finish.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 2022 T20I Asia Cup:

The Sri Lankan leg-spinning all-rounder delivered a masterclass in the 2022 edition, contributing 66 runs and claiming 9 wickets throughout the tournament. Hasaranga’s all-round excellence proved instrumental in Sri Lanka’s championship victory, with match-winning performances against both Bangladesh and Pakistan. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball exemplified the modern T20 all-rounder’s role, particularly evident in the Super Four match against Pakistan where he claimed 3 wickets for 21 runs, restricting Pakistan to 121 runs. Hasaranga’s tournament performance established him as one of the premier T20I all-rounders globally.

Both players represent the evolving nature of T20I cricket, where individual brilliance can significantly impact tournament outcomes while showcasing the depth of talent across different Asian cricket nations.

Also READ: Asia Cup 2025 Tickets on sale: Check price, booking procedure for India vs Pakistan and other matches

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