Top 10 Most Unexpected Upsets in Asia Cup Matches

The Asia Cup has seen some of the greatest rivalries and iconic performances, but it’s the unexpected upsets that truly electrify the tournament. When underdogs rise and giants fall, cricket becomes more than a game — it becomes history in motion.

In this article, we dive into the Top 10 most unexpected upsets in Asia Cup history — shocking moments when teams defied the odds, silenced critics, and made headlines for years to come.

Top 10 Most Unexpected Upsets in Asia Cup History

1. Bangladesh defeats India – 2012

• Venue: Mirpur
• Result: Bangladesh won by 5 wickets
• Why It’s Shocking:
  India, led by MS Dhoni, were outplayed by a spirited Bangladesh Unexpected Upsets side in a high-pressure chase. Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim led a bold attack against India’s bowling lineup.

2. Afghanistan defeats Sri Lanka – 2018

• Venue: Abu Dhabi
• Result: Afghanistan won by 91 runs
• Why It’s Shocking:
  A relatively new team at the time, Afghanistan stunned former champions Unexpected Upsets Sri Lanka with clinical bowling and disciplined batting. It was a coming-of-age moment.

3. Hong Kong nearly defeats India – 2018

• Venue: Dubai
• Result: India won by just 26 runs
• Why It’s Shocking:
  Not a victory, but an almost upset that shocked India. Hong Kong chased 286 fearlessly, with Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath nearly pulling off a miracle.

4. Bangladesh defeats Pakistan – 2012

• Venue: Mirpur
• Result: Bangladesh won by 5 wickets
• Why It’s Shocking:
  Bangladesh’s dominance in the tournament continued with a win over a strong Pakistani side. This victory led them to their first Asia Cup final Unexpected Upsets.

5. Nepal defeats UAE – 2023 Qualifier

• Venue: Kirtipur
• Result: Nepal won by 7 wickets
• Why It’s Shocking:
  A milestone moment as Nepal beat UAE to qualify for the Asia Cup 2023. It wasn’t just a win — it was a national celebration.

6. Bangladesh defeats India – 2023 Super 4

• Venue: Colombo
• Result: Bangladesh won by 6 runs
• Why It’s Shocking:
  With India already in the final, they rested players — but Bangladesh still had to play their best, and they did. Shakib Al Hasan led from the front with a classic all-round display.

7. Afghanistan defeats Bangladesh – 2014

• Venue: Fatullah
• Result: Afghanistan won by 32 runs
• Why It’s Shocking:
  Bangladesh had the home advantage, but the debutant Afghan team delivered a composed all-round performance and sealed a famous win.

8. Sri Lanka defeats Pakistan – 2022 Final

• Venue: Dubai
• Result: Sri Lanka won by 23 runs
• Why It’s Shocking:
  Pakistan were the favorites, but Sri Lanka bounced back from early collapse and put up a fighting total, with Hasaranga’s spell sealing the win.

9. Hong Kong defeats UAE – 2018 Qualifier

• Venue: Kuala Lumpur
• Result: Hong Kong won by 2 wickets
• Why It’s Shocking:
  An incredible win that gave Hong Kong a spot in the main Asia Cup event, showing their potential as giant-killers.

10. Bangladesh defeats Sri Lanka – 2018 Opener

• Venue: Dubai
• Result: Bangladesh won by 137 runs
  The opening match of the tournament saw Sri Lanka humiliated by a rampant Bangladeshi attack. It set the tone for an unpredictable campaign Unexpected Upsets
• Why It’s Shocking:.

Summary Table – Top Asia Cup Upsets

Year	Match	Winner	Margin	Shock Factor
2012	Bangladesh vs India	Bangladesh	5 wickets	India knocked out in group stage
2018	Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka	Afghanistan	91 runs	Afghan dominance over former champions
2018	India vs Hong Kong	India	26 runs	India nearly lost to associate team
2012	Bangladesh vs Pakistan	Bangladesh	5 wickets	Entered final for first time
2023	Nepal vs UAE (Qualifier)	Nepal	7 wickets	Historic Asia Cup qualification
2023	Bangladesh vs India	Bangladesh	6 runs	Upset against dominant Indian squad
2014	Afghanistan vs Bangladesh	Afghanistan	32 runs	Won despite being Asia Cup debutants
2022	Sri Lanka vs Pakistan (Final)	Sri Lanka	23 runs	Underdogs lifting the trophy
2018	Hong Kong vs UAE (Qualifier)	Hong Kong	2 wickets	Big win in a tight game
2018	Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka	Bangladesh	137 runs	Massive win in tournament opener

Conclusion

The unexpected upsets in Asia Cup history are a reminder that cricket isn’t always about rankings or records — it’s about moments. When underdogs rise, the sport becomes truly magical. These matches didn’t just defy predictions; they rewrote them.

With Asia Cup 2025 approaching, we may just witness another chapter of shock and awe. So never underestimate the underdogs — they might just pull off the next historic upset.

FAQ – Unexpected Upsets in Asia Cup!