India is the most successful team in Asian Cup history, having won the tournament seven times (six ODIs and one T20I) since the first edition in 1984.

The Asia Cup 2022 begins on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the most anticipated clash set to take place on August 28 between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. India, led by Rohit Sharma, will enter the tournament as the defending champions and aim to maintain their winning record.

Afghanistan and Bangladesh could prove to be strong contenders this season as they always have the opportunity to turn the game around. Considering that Bangladesh have come quite close to the title twice recently, it could be possible that they put up some top notch performances to win the title for the first time.

In 2016, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided that the Asia Cup would be played alternately between ODIs and T20Is. Thus, 2016 was the first season of the Asian Cup in the shortest format and this year it would again be played as a 20-over game.

The Asia Cup has always been one of the most important tournaments in the cricket world and it's always exciting to know who will win the trophy. Here's a look at the Asian Cup winners since the inaugural 1984 season.

1984: India

The first version of the Asian Cup was hosted in the United Arab Emirates in 1984 with only three groups: India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. India faced Sri Lanka in the final and, led by Sunil Gavaskar, the side lifted the first trophy. India dominated the 1984 game as a whole as they topped the table, winning every one of their games and securing eight games after which they were crowned champions. Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna was the match's main run scorer with 107 runs and had received Participant of the Match honors.

1986: Sri Lanka

The second version of the Asian Cup took place in Sri Lanka in 1986. India did not attend the game to express its displeasure with Sri Lanka. In 1985, India staged a controversial series with Sri Lanka and due to strained cricket relations with the Lankers, India had withdrawn its name from the game. In the absence of India, the hosts took part with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Under the management of Duleep Mendis, Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the final by 5 wickets to lift the trophy. Arjuna Ranatunga was the game's top run scorer and was awarded Contestant of the Game.

1988: India

After missing out on the 1986 tournament, India came back with a bang at the 1988 edition in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Men in Blue beat Sri Lanka by six wickets with Arshad Ayub leading India to victory. Ayub won nine wickets in the last game and led the Indian team led by Dilip Vengsarkar to the finish. Navjot Singh Sidhu's innings were among the best of the tournament, earning him the Player of the Tournament award.

1990-91: India

India hosted the 1990/91 Asian Cup and also won the tournament for the third time. In that edition, Pakistan withdrew from the tournament due to poor political relations with India. The hosts won their second consecutive title by beating Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. From the tournament, Kapil Dev's bowling and Mohammad Azharuddin's leadership became the biggest buzzwords. Dev showed incredible bowling ability as he became the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with nine wickets.

1995: India

In 1995, India scored a hat-trick for the title by winning the Asian Cup. The tournament should ideally have been held in 1993 but was canceled due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan. Azharuddin once again showed his skills as captain of the Indian team, defeating Sri Lanka in the final by eight wickets. This was India's fourth Asian Cup title.

1997: Sri Lanka

In 1997, the Asia Cup returned to Sri Lanka and the hosts won the trophy for the second time, led by Arjuna Ranatunga. The Lankers defeated defending champions India by eight wickets in the final at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Ranatunga played captain tapping throughout the tournament, finishing the tournament with a maximum of 272 runs and being voted player of the tournament.

2000: Pakistan

At the start of a new decade, the Asia Cup has also brought Pakistan as the new title winners. Pakistan won their first Asian Cup after beating Sri Lanka by 39 runs in the final led by Moin Khan at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka. The Pakistani team had put on an all-around performance in the tournament as Yousuf Youhana became the leading run scorer with 295 runs and Abdul Razzaq the leading wicket-taker.

2004: Sri Lanka

The 2004 Asia Cup was very different from previous editions as it was the first time that a total of six teams took part in the tournament. In addition to the leading Asian nations (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong have also been added to the game. Marvan Atapattu's leadership led Sri Lanka to victory for the third time as they beat India by 25 runs in the final at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

2008: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka defended their 2008 Asian Cup title captained by Mahela Jayawardene. They defeated India again in the final, this time by 100 runs at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan. Ajantha Mendis won Player of the Tournament as he won 17 wickets while Sanath Jayasuriya scored 378 runs and was the leading run scorer.

2010: India

Team India, led by Captain Cool, MS Dhoni, claimed their fifth Asia Cup title in 2010. They finished second in the points table with nine points and defeated hosts Sri Lanka by 81 runs in the final. Dinesh Karthik was the main architect of the win as he hit 66 runs in the final at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.

2012: Pakistan

The 2012 Asia Cup is one of the most memorable seasons ever as Pakistan snatched the match from Bangladesh lions at Sher-e-Bangla cricket stadium in Mirpur Thana. Bangladesh were on the verge of winning their first title when they edged out Pakistan with 236/9 in 50 overs. Tamim Iqbal (60) and Shakib Al Hasan (68) brought Bangladesh close to the finish but missed two heats. As a result, under the leadership of Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan won their second Asia Cup title, with Pakistani pacer Umar Gul becoming the top bowler with nine wickets.

2014: Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews won the fifth Asia Cup title for the country in 2014. They defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Lasith Malinga was first class throughout the tournament and particularly in the final when he stopped Pakistan in five wickets on 260/5. The lankers effortlessly chased the target and raised the trophy aloft. Lahiru Thirimanne was the tournament's top run scorer with 279 runs and was named Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performance.

2016: India

India, led by MS Dhoni, won the first-ever T20I version of the Asian Cup in 2016. It was Dhoni's second Asian Cup victory as captain. Team India defeated Bangladesh in a one-sided eight-wicket game in the final at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. With seven balls remaining, India comfortably won the game to secure their sixth Asian Cup title since the inaugural season.

2018: India

In 2018, India defended their Asian Cup title, continuing their consistency and brilliant run in the tournament. It looked like a replica of the 2016 season when India faced Bangladesh again in the final, albeit in a 50-over format. Rohit Sharma and his team defeated Bangladesh by three wickets at Dubai International Stadium. In a close duel, Bangladesh hoped to clinch their first title, but India chased the 223-run goal on the last ball and put their name in the record books as they lifted the Asian Cup trophy for the seventh time.