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Four lowest team totals in Asia Cup history
In the final of the Asia Cup 2023, Sri Lanka was confident about batting first after winning the toss. However, ahead of the start, the game was interrupted by rain and the start was delayed. After the restart, what happened at the R Premadasa Stadium was something the Lankan Lions couldn’t even think of in their worst of nightmares. Thanks to the Indian bowling, the now-former champions have registered their lowest total.
However, this isn’t the only instance when the bowlers have had a laugh. Since the inaugural edition in 1984, there have been many instances when teams have been found dumbfounded. In this listicle, we will discuss the four lowest team totals in the history of the continental tournament.
Four lowest totals in Asia Cup history
- 50 all-out by Sri Lanka against India in the 2023 final
In the recently-concluded final, the home team won the toss and elected to bat first. However, it was hell on earth for the Lions as the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya wreaked havoc. Sirj took a five-wicket haul after only bowling 16 balls in the game.
This was the joint-quickest five-wicket haul. In the end, he took six wickets while Bumrah took one and Pandya ended with three. In reply, the Men In Blue won the game by 10 wickets and 263 balls to spare, the biggest win margin for India while chasing.
2. 87 all-out for Bangladesh against Pakistan in 2000
In the fourth game of the 2000 edition, the visitors, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Thanks to Imran Nazir (80), Mohammad Yousuf (80), Inzamam-ul-Haq (76), and Shahid Afridi (45), the team reached 320/2 at the end of the innings.
In reply, the home team had no answer to Pakistan’s bowling. Only two batters, Habibul Bashar and Mushfiqur Rahman could cross the double-digit figures. In the end, they were bowled out for 87 runs with Abdur Razzaq taking three wickets while Azhar Mehmood took two and Wasim Akram, Mohammad Akram, and Arshad Khan taking one each.
3. 94 by Bangladesh against Pakistan
In only the second edition of the tournament, Bangladesh was turned over by Pakistan in the second game of the tournament. The Shaheens won the toss and bowled first. Wasim Akram led the procession with a four-wicket haul. On the other hand, the Late Abdul Qadir took three, Imran Khan took two and Zakir Khan ended with one wicket.
In reply, the winning side, Pakistan faced difficulties but ended up winning the game by seven wickets. For the Tigers, Jahangir Shah took two wickets while Gazi Ashraf took one.
4. 96 by Sri Lanka against India in 1984
In the second game of the inaugural edition, the Lions were asked to bat first. They were bowled out for 96 runs, with Chetan Sharma and Madan Lal taking three wickets each. On the other hand, Manoj Prabhakar took two, and Ravi Shastri took one.
In reply, India chased down the total in just 21.4 overs and 10 wickets in hand. Surinder Khanna scored a fifty