14th edition of Asia Cup kicked off on 15th September, 2018 in UAE with standard 50 overs ODI format this year, in line with upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2019.
6 Teams are split in 2 groups. Formation is as follows:
Group A
Group B
In the Group stage, each team will play against other 2 teams of the group. Top 2 teams from each group will qualify for Super Four stage.
In Super Four stage, each team will play against other 3 teams. Top 2 teams will lock the horns on 28th September, 2018 to claim the 2018 trophy.
All 13 matches will be D/N and played on one of the 2 venues:
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium – Dubai
- Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium – Abu Dhabi
Facts
- Asia Cup returns to UAE after 23 years. Last time it was played in UAE was 1995.
- It is ironical that the host UAE lost to Hong Kong in the qualifier and hence are not part of this edition.
- Sri Lanka is the only team to have appeared in all 13 editions, followed by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – all appearing in 12 editions each.
- Each having won the title 5 times in the ODI format, India and Sri Lanka are the most successful teams. However, India also won the introductory T20 format in 2016, thus overall 6 times champion.
- Sri Lanka has the best Win % of 69.38
- Records (Only considering ODI format):
- Most Runs: Sanath Jayasuriya – 1220 runs in 25 matches, with an average of 53.04, having a whooping strike rate of 102.52, highest being 130 runs, with 6 tons and 3 half centuries. He also holds the record for most runs in a tournament (378 in 2008 edition) and most hundreds (6).
- Most Wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan – 30 wickets in 24 matches at a magnificent economy rate of 3.75, with best figures of 5/31
- Best Bowling Figures: Ajantha Mendis – 6/13 vs. India in 2008. He also holds the record of most wickets in a tournament (17 wickets in 2008 edition)
- Highest team total: Pakistan – 385/7 vs. Sri Lanka in 2010
- Lowest team total: Bangladesh – 87 vs. Pakistan in 2000
Criclysis 