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In a big news from the international cricketing circles, the Asia Cup 2022 is set to be held in Sri Lanka between August 27 and September 11 this year. In addition, it has been confirmed that the competition will be played in the T20 format ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. A qualifying round for the main tournament will be played from August 20.
It is pertinent to note that the said tournament is hosted once every two years. However, the 2020 edition of the competition had to be cancelled by the governing body called the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The same was done in view of the COVID-19 regulations. June 2021 was later identified as a window to host the tournament but it had to be pushed back yet again.
A look at the past records suggests that India have been a force to reckon with in this tournament. In as many as 14 editions, the Men in Blue have won it seven times, lifting the trophy in 1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016 and 2018. Other than India, Sri Lanka have also done pretty well and are the second most successful side in this competition with five title wins to their credit. These came in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008 and 2014. The remaining two titles have been won by Pakistan - who were the only team of the three to make it to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup last year.
Apart from the three most successful teams, three more teams will compete for the title this year. These three teams include - Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a side that will make its way through the qualifier tournament. UAE, Kuwait, Singapore and Hong Kong will feature in this tournament.
Post this multi-team event, the T20 World Cup will get underway on October 16 with Sri Lanka taking on Namibia in the first of the 45-match affair.