From Tendulkar's 100th ton to Afridi's last-ball heroics, the Asia Cup has been a theatre of unforgettable drama

Every time the Asia Cup rolls around, it does more than pit nations against one another. It awakens memories. For four decades now, this continental championship has produced not just winners and losers, but timeless spectacles -the kind that bind fans to the game for life. With the 2025 edition about to begin in the UAE, it feels apt to revisit those heart-stopping moments that still echo in cricketing folklore.

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Sachin's 100th international hundred (2012)

Few achievements in cricket inspire awe like reaching 100 international centuries. Sachin Tendulkar achieved that legendary milestone in the 2012 Asia Cup with a patient 114 against Bangladesh. Although India lost the match, the moment transcended the result. It marked the culmination of a year-long wait that even Tendulkar’s loyal supporters had tested. He retired shortly after, leaving behind a statistical Everest that only Kohli has dared to climb.

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Kohli's epic 183 vs PAK (2012)

It was the innings that transformed Virat Kohli from a rising star into a modern master. Chasing 330 against PAK in Mirpur, India, needed something extraordinary. Kohli responded with 183 off 148 balls, the highest score in Asia Cup history. His partnership with Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma turned a steep chase into a rout, and in many ways, announced Kohli as the next great in world cricket.

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Ajantha Mendis spins India into knots (2008)

In Karachi, the 2008 final was dominated by a mystery spinner named Ajantha Mendis. After Sanath Jayasuriya propelled Sri Lanka to 273 for 9, Mendis mesmerised India with 6 for 13 in just eight overs. His carrom balls and wrong ’uns reduced India from a promising 76 for 1 to 173 all out. The 100-run victory secured Sri Lanka’s fourth Asia Cup title, and Mendis engraved his name into cricket’s history overnight.

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Harbhajan's roar in Dambulla (2010)

Sometimes, the Asia Cup provides as much drama as cricket. In 2010, chasing 268 against PAK, India needed four runs off two balls. Harbhajan Singh, at the crease after a tense exchange with Shoaib Akhtar, hit Mohammad Amir over mid-wicket for six. His helmet came off, arms raised in triumph, and the roar was directed straight at Akhtar. India had secured a famous three-wicket victory, and the rivalry added a new chapter to its history.

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Afridi's sixes against India (2014)

Few matches capture the madness of IND-PAK encounters better than the Mirpur clash of 2014. India scored 245 for 8, and the chase seemed beyond reach at 200 for 5. Then came Shahid Afridi. With just one wicket remaining and four required from three balls, Afridi launched Ravichandran Ashwin for a six that silenced Indian fans and ignited PAK hearts. His unbeaten 34 off 18 balls became a classic cameo in the storied rivalry.

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Afghanistan's tied thriller against India (2018)

For Afghanistan, 2018 was about demonstrating that they belonged at the highest level. In a dead-rubber match in Dubai, they pushed India — a team resting its stars but led by MS Dhoni — to the very brink. Afghanistan scored 252 for 8, and India, despite contributions across the order, were bowled out for the exact same score with one ball remaining. The tied result became one of the proudest days in Afghan cricket, a giant-slaying performance without the final victory.

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Bangladesh's heartbreak in the 2012 final

If ever a cricketing nation deserved its day in the sun, it was Bangladesh in 2012. At home in Dhaka, they ran PAK ragged in the final. PAK’s 236 for 9 looked within reach, and Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim pushed them to the edge. But fate intervened cruelly. Bangladesh finished on 234 for 8, losing by just two runs. Their wait for a maiden Asia Cup title still continues.

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India vs Bangladesh nail-biter (2018)

Six years later, Bangladesh nearly achieved their redemption, this time against India in the final. Their bowlers pushed India’s chase of 223 to the very last ball in Dubai. With three wickets remaining, India scrambled for the winning run, breaking Bangladeshi hearts once again. It was India’s seventh title, but for neutral fans, the game served as a reminder of how much Bangladesh had developed as a force in Asian cricket.