Asia Cup 2022: Full guide to teams, schedule, big moments, and how to watch

What happened at the Asia Cup 2022, and why it mattered

The Asia Cup 2022 packed in drama from the first ball to the last. Sri Lanka, written off after a heavy opening loss, ended up lifting the trophy in Dubai with a nerveless win over Pakistan. The tournament doubled as a T20 World Cup warm‑up, so every selection call, every powerplay gamble, and every death‑over matchup felt like a trial under floodlights.

Officially hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket but staged in the UAE due to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the event ran from August 27 to September 11 across Dubai and Sharjah. Six teams took part: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, who earned their spot via a qualifier in Oman by beating UAE, Kuwait, and Singapore.

The format was simple: two groups of three, top two from each group into the Super Four, and then the best two to the final. Net run rate acted as the tiebreaker, which meant teams chased not just totals but also margins. For players returning from breaks or injuries, it was a high‑pressure runway. For coaches, it was a rare chance to test mid-order roles, bowling combinations, and backup plans against top Asian opponents.

If you’re marking the calendar retroactively, here are the beats that defined the tournament timeline and rhythm:

• Dates: August 27 – September 11, 2022
• Venues: Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium
• Groups: A (India, Pakistan, Hong Kong), B (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan)
• Phases: Group stage → Super Four → Final in Dubai

Group A went to script: India and Pakistan moved through after beating Hong Kong. Group B flipped early expectations. Afghanistan blew Sri Lanka away in the opener, then Sri Lanka sneaked past Bangladesh in a tense chase that set the tone for their gutsy run.

Matches, standouts, and how to watch the action

India vs Pakistan always dominates the conversation, and the group-stage clash delivered. Pakistan made 147 in 19.5 overs, Mohammad Rizwan anchoring with 43 off 42. India chased it down at 148/5 with two balls left. Ravindra Jadeja’s 35 and Hardik Pandya’s cool finish stood out. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 4/26 held Pakistan back; young Naseem Shah impressed on T20I debut with sharp, heavy lengths. The night also doubled as a milestone: Virat Kohli’s 100th T20I, making him the first Indian to play 100 games in all three formats.

The Super Four tilted quickly. Pakistan evened the score with a last-over win over India, powered by Mohammad Rizwan’s 71 and a fearless cameo from Mohammad Nawaz up the order. India’s batting looked more expansive, but leaks at the death hurt. Pakistan then survived a thriller against Afghanistan, sealed by Naseem Shah’s two last‑over sixes—one of the tournament’s viral moments.

And then came Sri Lanka, who ripped up the script. After getting thumped in their opener, they stitched together a run of clever chases and disciplined bowling spells. Kusal Mendis gave them brisk starts, Dasun Shanaka managed resources calmly, and Wanindu Hasaranga kept turning games with his leg‑spin and lower‑order hitting. They beat Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan in the Super Four, then Pakistan again in the final.

The title match in Dubai was about nerve. Sri Lanka recovered from early trouble to post 170/6, thanks to Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s classy 71* and a late burst from Hasaranga. Pakistan, chasing on a helpful surface, were bowled out for 147. Pramod Madushan’s 4-for and Hasaranga’s three quick strikes crushed the chase. Sri Lanka won by 23 runs.

A few numbers tell the story behind the frenzy:

• Champions: Sri Lanka
• Final: Sri Lanka 170/6 beat Pakistan 147 by 23 runs (Dubai)
• Player of the Tournament: Wanindu Hasaranga
• Top run-scorer: Mohammad Rizwan (281 runs)
• Top wicket-taker: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (11 wickets)

Virat Kohli found rhythm late and cashed in big, smashing his first T20I hundred—122* off 61—against Afghanistan. It was also his 71st international century, ending a long wait and settling the “form” conversation before the World Cup. For Pakistan, the tournament underlined Rizwan’s consistency, Naseem’s temperament under pressure, and the cost of Shaheen Afridi’s injury. India missed Jasprit Bumrah’s bite at the death, tested Dinesh Karthik as a finisher, and shuffled middle‑order roles around Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Afghanistan proved, again, they’re no one‑trick team: Mujeeb, Rashid, and Naveen kept games in range, and Ibrahim Zadran’s calm batting caught the eye. Bangladesh never quite found their tempo; Hong Kong fought hard but struggled against elite pace and spin.

Squads were deep and dynamic. Rohit Sharma led India with KL Rahul returning at the top and Kohli back from a break. Pakistan leaned on Babar Azam and Rizwan up front and had to juggle injuries—Shaheen Afridi out, Dahani sidelined, Hasnain stepping in. Sri Lanka’s core—Shanaka, Mendis, Rajapaksa, Asalanka, Hasaranga—clicked at crucial moments. Afghanistan’s attack stayed elite, and their batting showed more method than in past editions. Bangladesh handed the reins to Shakib Al Hasan, while Hong Kong’s Nizakat Khan captained a spirited, well‑drilled unit that earned qualification the hard way.

If you’re archiving how to watch and follow, the tournament was widely available across Asia. In India, matches aired on Star Sports with digital streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. Pakistan carried games on PTV Sports and Ten Sports. Sri Lanka fans tuned in via state broadcasters, while Bangladesh viewers followed on Gazi TV. International audiences picked up feeds through regional rights holders with standard HD and multilingual commentary options. Coverage included full pre‑ and post‑game shows, pitch reports, and mid‑innings analysis tailored for T20 tactics.

Beyond the trophy, the event’s value was clear. Teams stress‑tested powerplay plans, found backup death bowlers, and clarified middle‑order roles. Sri Lanka unearthed a confident template under Shanaka. Pakistan saw the importance of a flexible batting order and set-piece bowling changes. India got answers on form and fitness, spotted gaps in the death overs, and rediscovered Kohli’s fluency. Afghanistan left with belief that their batting can hold under pressure, not just their bowling. For a two‑week tournament, that’s a heavy lift—and exactly what a regional showpiece is supposed to deliver.