5 Thrilling Asia Cup Matches with Last-Minute Twists

Over the years, fans have managed to witness many thrilling games in the history of the Asia Cup. In the last 15 editions, 13 editions have been played in the 50-over format and this ongoing 16th edition is also being played in the ODI format. Hence, many matches have occurred where final results got twisted in the last minute and fans were left surprised.  

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Here are the top five thrilling Asia Cup Matches with last-minute twists

India vs Pakistan, 2010

India vs Pakistan, 2010 (Image Source: Twitter)

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It was the fourth match of the Asia Cup 2010 as India took on arch-rivals Pakistan in Dambulla. While batting first, Pakistan got bundled out or 267 runs in 49.3 overs. In reply, the Men in Blue looked good in the chase. Gautam Gambhir scored 83 runs and MS Dhoni scored 56 runs while both of them put up a partnership of 98-run partnership for the third wicket. 

After 45 overs, they needed 49 runs with five wickets in hand. Then, they lost Ravindra Jadeja during the 46th over and Suresh Raina on the second delivery of the last over. On the last delivery, they needed three runs and Harbhajan Singh smashed a six against Mohammad Amir to seal the victory with three wickets to spare.     

Pakistan vs Bangladesh, final, 2012

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Pakistan vs Bangladesh, final, 2012 (Image Source: Twitter)

The final of the 2012 Asia Cup took place between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Mirpur. Pakistan batted first and set a 237-run target for the Bangla Tigers. Both Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan played exceptionally well and the home team were looking all set to bag their first-ever Asia Cup title. 

In the last three overs, they needed only 25 runs with four wickets in hand. Mashrafe Mortaza and Mahmudullah were on the crease but they choked and managed only 22 runs and lost two wickets. Thus, Pakistan won the match by just two runs and won their second Asia Cup title. Shahid Afridi was the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.       

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2014 

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 2014 (Image Source: Twitter)

This thrilling encounter happened during the 10th match of the Asia Cup 2014 in Mirpur between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Bangla Tigers batted first and scored 204 runs for nine wickets in 50 overs. Bangladesh bowlers were on a roll also as they picked up five wickets for 75 runs in 23.1 overs.

It was looking like the home team would cruise into a thrashing victory over the Lankans. But, Chaturanga de Silva scored 44 runs off 52 balls and they needed just 12 runs in the last three overs. Angelo Mathews remained not out on 74* runs as they chased down the target with one over and three wickets to spare.

Afghanistan vs India, 2018

Afghanistan vs India, 2018 (Image Source: Twitter)

It was a ‘Super 4’ clash between Team India and Afghanistan that took place in Dubai. The Afghans batted first and due to Mohammad Shahzad’s 124-run knock, they scored 252 runs for eight wickets in 50 overs. The Men in Blue had a solid opening partnership of 110 runs.

But, after that, they suffered a collapse and in the last over, they needed just seven runs with one wicket in hand. Ravindra Jadeja was on strike and Rashid Khan was bowling. At one stage, they needed one run off the last two balls but Jadeja got out and thus the game ended as a tie.

Also Check: Asia Cup 2023: India’s Predicted Playing XI Against Pakistan in Super 4

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 2023

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 2023 (Image Source: Twitter)

This thrilling contest took place between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan during the 2023 Asia Cup in Lahore. Both teams were looking for a win to qualify for the ‘Super 4’ stage. The Lankans set a 292-run target and the Afghans needed to chase that down in 37.1 overs to qualify for the next round along with Bangladesh.  

Mohammad Nabi and Hashmatullah Shahidi showed their power-hitting skills as after 32 overs, they needed 54 runs off 31 balls to qualify with three wickets in hand. Rashid Khan played an excellent cameo and after 37 overs, they needed just three runs from one ball with two wickets in hand. But, on the next four deliveries, they lost two wickets and lost the match by two runs. Apparently, later it was found that Afghanistan were unaware that if they had scored 295 in 37.4 overs, they could have still qualified.

Check Here: Asia Cup 2023 – IND vs PAK Super 4 Match with a Reserve Day