Cricket News: Memorable Asia Cup moments, Can Virat Kohli recreate 2012 magic?

India will be the defending champions of the tournament. Let’s take a trip down to some memorable matches from previous editions. 

India vs Pakistan (1986)

Requiring four runs on the final ball, Chetan Sharma bowled a low full-toss to Javed Miandad, who smashed the ball for a six in the Asia Cup final is still fresh as a bitter memory in the minds of Indian fans. 

Batting first, India posted a target of 246 runs as Sunil Gavaskar scored 92 alongside Dilip Vengsarkar’s 50. In response, Pakistani batters scored a great fight against the Indian attack. While their batters were clinical with the intent displayed, Javed Miandad was exceptional to score an unbeaten 116 in that match, topped with the final ball match-winning six. 

Bangladesh vs India (2012)

The match in which the glorious feat of the much awaited 100th ton of legendary Sachin Tendulkar came but at the wrong time. Sachin Tendulkar’s failure to knock the final hundred to achieve the milestone became the talk of the town. When it finally came in the 2012 Asia Cup, it was just a grinding ordeal rather than a fitting decoration of his grand feat. 

While Tendulkar was toiling to get 114 runs in 147 deliveries, the rest of the team tried to boost the side to a winning score and somehow dragged the total to 289 runs. In reply to this total, Bangladesh batters won the game convincingly, leaving Indians shell-shocked. Bangladesh made this win count as they reached the finals; however, they lost the final to Pakistan by mere two runs. 

India vs Pakistan (2012)

The game showed the upcoming best in the business, as Virat Kohli played a swashbuckling knock of 183. 

Pakistan openers smashed fantastic tons when batting first, adding 224 runs for the first wicket. Younis Khan added to the assault posting a tally of 329 on the scoreboard. In reply, India lost Gautam Gambhir for a two-ball duck. And till this point, it was all Pakistan’s game. However, then came young Virat Kohli, who fired alongside Sachin Tendulkar to bring his scintillating 183. Though Virat Kohli fell short of his double ton by 17, the match was comfortably won by Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina. 

Pakistan vs India (2014)

The match that is remembered for Shahid Afridi’s heroic knock to seal the win for Pakistan. MS Dhoni-led team put to bat first and saw a terrible start losing Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli cheaply. Rohit Sharma’s brisk 50 and Ambati Rayudu’s under pressure 58 boasted the total to 245 on Mirpur’s slow wicket. Pakistan got a slow start from its openers, a slight acceleration from Hafeez’s 75 off 117. And just when the scoreboard ticked 203/6. Shahid Afridi went on a rampage firing 38 off 18, giving Indian bowlers a nightmare and guiding his team to a one-wicket win.