The Asia Cup has been regarded as one of the most prestigious cricket tournaments in the world for nearly four decades. Since its inception in 1984, the tournament has played a significant role in promoting goodwill among the cricketing nations in the Asian region. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) laid the foundation for this continental event, which has witnessed intense competition and captivating moments on the field.
India, the inaugural champions of the Asia Cup in 1984, have established themselves as the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won the trophy on seven occasions. Their victories include six triumphs in the One-Day International (ODI) format and one in the Twenty20 International (T20I) format. Trailing closely behind India, Sri Lanka, the island nation, has also achieved remarkable success in the Asia Cup, securing the coveted trophy six times. Sri Lanka’s victories consist of five triumphs in the ODI format and one in the T20I format. Meanwhile, Pakistan stands as the only other team to have lifted the championship, emerging as winners in 2000 and 2012.
Looking ahead, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. This edition will be contested in the ODI format, commencing on August 31 and culminating in the final on September 17, to be held in Sri Lanka.
While the Asia Cup has provided fans with countless memorable moments, it has also witnessed its fair share of heated altercations between players that are not fondly remembered. These incidents, characterized by intense emotions and on-field confrontations, have added another layer of drama to the tournament’s history. Let us take a closer look at one such heated moment in the Asia Cup’s history.
The incident in question occurred during the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup, specifically in the first match of the Super Four stage between Pakistan and Afghanistan, held in Abu Dhabi. It was a closely contested encounter, and tensions reached a boiling point on the field.
As Pakistan chased a target of 268 runs, Hashmatullah Shahidi, the Afghan batsman, found himself facing Hasan Ali, the fiery Pakistani fast bowler. In a moment of frustration, Hasan Ali received the ball in his follow-through after Shahidi played a stroke straight towards him. Expressing his discontent, Hasan Ali gestured as if he were about to throw the ball back at the batsman, revealing his annoyance with the shot played by Shahidi.
This incident didn’t go unnoticed by Asghar Afghan, the captain of the Afghan team, who was batting alongside Shahidi. In an act of defiance, Afghan deliberately brushed his shoulder against Hasan Ali while completing a run. The physical contact between the two players further escalated the already tense situation on the field.
The on-field umpires promptly intervened and assessed the confrontation between the players. After careful consideration, they charged both Asghar Afghan and Hasan Ali with breaching Level 1 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct. Consequently, both players were fined 15% of their match fees as a disciplinary measure for their actions during the match.
This incident not only added another chapter to the history of heated moments in the Asia Cup but also served as a reminder of the fierce competition and passion that characterizes cricket in the region.
Watch Fights in ASIA Cup Video
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In conclusion, while the Asia Cup has provided cricket fans with numerous thrilling and unforgettable moments throughout its history, it has also witnessed instances of heated confrontations between players. The incident involving Hasan Ali, Asghar Afghan, and Hashmatullah Shahidi during the 2018 edition serves as a testament to the intense emotions that can arise on the field during high-stakes matches. As fans eagerly await the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup, they hope for a tournament filled with sporting excellence, fair play, and memorable cricketing moments.