Why India Boycotted 1986 Asia Cup, Were Replaced By A New Team – All You Need To Know | Cricket

When India boycotted Asia Cup. Photo: AP

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup kicked off earlier this week in the UAE. The lack of buzz is startling and even the much-awaited India-Pakistan clash hasn’t managed to generate enough interest. The tickets for the high-voltage clash are reportedly unsold and it might not be a full house at the venue in Dubai. There is also a call to boycott the game against Pakistan. IPL franchise Punjab Kings are silently boycotting the fixture. At one stage, it looked like the BCCI might also boycott the Asia Cup. But in July, it was confirmed that the tournament would take place.

The BCCI is the official host of the tournament, taking place in the UAE. While India did not boycott the Asia Cup this time, they did decide against participating in the second edition of the tournament in 1986. Here’s the complete story –

The inaugural edition of the Asia Cup was played in 1984 in the UAE. The Sunil Gavaskar-led side defeated Pakistan in the final of the three-game and three-team tournament to clinch the trophy.

India were scheduled to defend their title in 1986 in Sri Lanka. But India did not travel there due to the civil war in SL. The Government of India instructed the BCCI to pull out. India were replaced by a newcomer, Bangladesh. Bangladesh hadn’t played an ODI by then.

Bangladesh made their ODI debut against Pakistan in the second game of the 1986 Asia Cup. They scored 95 in 35.3 overs. Pakistan took 32.1 overs to complete the chase.

In their next game against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh breached the 100-run mark and put on a total of 131. SL took 31.3 overs to chase down the target. Sri Lanka lifted the second edition of the tournament. They have been part of every Asia Cup played so far.

Bangladesh hosted 1988 Asia Cup

Bangladesh became a part of Asia Cup and hosted the next edition in 1988. India made their return in this edition and defeated Sri Lanka in the final to lift the trophy for the second time.

India hosted the Asia Cup for the first time in 1990. Pakistan boycotted the tournament. India once again defeated SL in the final to retain the Asia Cup. The next edition, scheduled to be played in 1993, was cancelled. The tournament returned in 1995 and once again, India defeated SL in the final.

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