Futility Of Asia Cup: Why It Serves No Purpose In Its Current State

August 28 will see the mother of all battles resume when India and Pakistan face off in the Asia Cup. Perhaps it will be the only highlight of a tournament that right now serves no real purpose. Plus, being played in the T20 format for the second time in history does not impact the game itself much.

India's domination

In fact, if we see the history of the tournament, from 1984 till date, 14 editions have been held. India have 7, Sri Lanka 5 and Pakistan 2. Pakistan won both their editions in this century. These 3 sides have dominated the tournament and while Bangladesh did make it to the final on 3 occasions, they have no titles to boot.

BCCI

The upcoming edition will also see the likes of Afghanistan and Oman. UAE and Hong Kong also took part in the past but at the end of the day, these teams merely made up the numbers. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are always the ones fighting it out for the right to be Asian Champions.

India vs Pakistan

Recently, the Asia Cup is just an excuse for fans to see an India vs Pakistan clash. Sure, we have the World Cups and Champions Trophy, but this is a competition it's a given that the archrivals will meet. A league encounter is good enough, a final is an added bonus.

The 2022 edition is from August 27 to September 11. It will be played in the T20 format. In the end, barring something really special, India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka shall take the trophy home. India have won the last 2 editions and shall aim for a hattrick. It will be their 8th title if they do so.

AFP

Earlier, the Asia Cup was a source of entertainment, now it is just a way to determine who tops in the subcontinent. No other continent has a continental tournament and it makes sense why. After all, everyone knows who rules the roost.

T20 factor

Also changing formats upsets the balance of the tournament. If the aim was to help sides prepare for the T20 World Cup, then it does not really help as teams are playing a lot of T20Is as it is. The first time it was held as a 20-over affair was six years ago and yes, you guessed right, there was a T20 World Cup the same year. Now we have one again.

The problems have been highlighted, but the solution also needs to be sought after. No point pulling a tournament down if one cannot provide an alternative.

So what to do? Scrap it completely or modify it? When to do it and what to do is something the ACC and different boards need to think about. The next edition is in 2023. Will we see something different? Or will it be the same? Only time will tell.

AP

Finding the solution

Cricket is evolving and as are the tournaments. The ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy have all modified themselves and we also have a World Test Championship now. So the Asia Cup needs to follow suit.

Maybe an Asian Super League like the one for the World Cup qualification needs to be established so that the smaller sides can give the heavyweights a run for their money.

All this sounds good in theory, it remains to be seen what is put into practice. Till then it is best to go with the flow. The next Asia Cup is in 3 days and the match we all want to see is a day after it starts. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show as nations battle it out for Asian supremacy.