Asia Cup format has undergone a few changes over the years. Asia’s biggest tournament started as a three-nation tournament in 1984. It has increased to six teams now. With a group stage, Super 4s, and the final, the tournament offers much to cricket fans.
Asia Cup Format
The Asia Cup 2023 features six teams – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal. All six teams are paired into two groups of three teams, with the top two from each group advancing to Super 4s. In the second round, the four teams will play each other once, and the teams finishing winner and runner-up in the Super 4s points table qualify for the final.
Format of Asia Cup 2023
- Each team has to play two matches in the group stage.
- The group stage table topper and second-placed teams from Group A and Group B will qualify for Super 4s.
- In Super 4s, the four teams will play against each other.
- The Super 4s table topper and the runner-up will play each other in the final.
- The total number of matches in the Asia Cup is 13.
India and Pakistan could meet three times in Asia Cup 2023, provided both teams reach the final.
Asia Cup Group Stage Format
The Asia Cup group stage will witness six matches as Group A and B will have three fixtures each. The team that finishes top of the table and second will qualify for the Super 4s. If points are tied, winners will be decided based on the net run rate.
- Group A fixtures – Pakistan vs Nepal, India vs Pakistan, and India vs Nepal
- Group B fixtures – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
Asia Cup Super 4 Format
The Super 4s is the second round in the Asia Cup, including four teams – winner and runner-up from Group A and B. Like the group stage, it includes six matches, and the top two teams in the points table will fight for the Asia Cup trophy.
Super 4s Fixtures
- A1 vs B2
- B1 vs B2
- A1 vs A2
- A2 vs BI
- A1 vs B1
- A2 vs B2
The final will be the 13th fixture in the tournament.
Asia Cup Over Format
The Asia Cup used to have an ODI format until the 2014 edition. However, 2016 saw the first time the tournament was played in the 20-over format. It was decided that the tournament alternates between ODI and T20 formats. However, the tournament structure remains the same – Group stage, Super 4s, and the final.
Asia Cup ODI Format:
Of the 15 Asia Cup editions, 13 were 50-over tournaments. India won the first-ever Asia Cup ODI tournament in 1984 and was the latest team to win the ODI edition. The ‘Mein in Blue’ clinched six Asia Cup ODI titles, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan lifted it five times and two times, respectively.
Asia Cup T20 Format:
India was the first team to clinch the Asia Cup T20 edition. In 2016, India beat Bangladesh in the final. Sri Lanka became the second team to win the Asia Cup 20-over format. The Lankans overcame Pakistan in the final of Asia Cup 2022.
The 2024 Asia Cup will be a T20 tournament. It will be a precursor to the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Concluding Thoughts
The Asia Cup match offers 13 exciting matches for cricket fans. The teams who reach the final will play six matches in the tournament, while those who qualify for Super 4s will play a few number of games in Asia’s top cricketing tourney.
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FAQs about Asia Cup Format
Asia Cup format is six group stage matches, six Super 4s fixtures, and a final.
Asia Cup 2023 is played in the ODI format.
India won the first-ever Asia Cup T20 tournament in 2016, defeating Bangladesh in the final.
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