Cricket
The Tigers' Roar: Bangladesh's Unrelenting Quest for a Maiden Asia Cup Title
With the next edition coming up in September, SportsBoom has looked at the Bangladesh Asia Cup record, from their times making the final and key players for the future of their quest for continental glory.
Mahedi Hasan of Bangladesh celebrates the wicket of KL Rahul of India during the Asia Cup match//Getty Images
It’s fair to say that as a cricketing nation, Bangladesh have graduated from minnow status and need the silverware to back that status up.
Entering most international and continental tournaments as the underdogs, the Tigers make up for their lack of trophies with sheer heart.
The determination of the Bangladeshi cricket team has endeared them to a growing number of fans who are eager to see them succeed.
Despite their rise and fervent support, the answer to the question 'Has Bangladesh ever won the Asia Cup?' is, as of the 2025 edition, no.
This simple answer belies a journey filled with agonising near misses and an unwavering spirit that has seen them come close to glory.
SportsBoom has analysed Bangladesh’s Asia Cup finals history, from memorable campaigns and key players to their title aspirations.
The Elusive Trophy: Bangladesh's Asia Cup Journey Overview
On paper, the Bangladesh cricket Asia Cup history has seen them rise from obscurity in the earlier editions to bronze and silver finishes in recent years.
Competing every time except the inaugural 1984 edition, the Tigers’ best result from nine tries was third place - mostly ending at the bottom of the standings.
However, as Bangladesh’s status in world cricket grew, so did their prospects, ending in second place twice and third place once during the next six editions.
Over time, the Tigers have shown their teeth against the likes of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which has also bolstered their confidence on the world stage.
Beyond testing players and building squads, the Asia Cup has also fuelled national pride, with Bangladesh proving that their time is also surely on the way.
The Agony and Ecstasy: Bangladesh's Final Heartbreaks
The 2012 Final vs Pakistan (ODI)
Abdur Razzak celebrates the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq with his captain Mushfiqur Rahim//Getty Images
Bangladesh seemed to finally turn the corner in 2012, entering as Asia Cup underdogs and instead sparking one of the most memorable moments in tournament history.
In the group stages, played on home soil, the Tigers staged remarkable five-wicket upsets against India and Sri Lanka, respectively, to set up a clash against Pakistan.
Against the backdrop of Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh entered the final with a fully charged home crowd pleading for the Asia Cup to remain there.
In a match widely regarded as one of the most dramatic finals in tournament history, Pakistan broke the hearts of local supporters by an agonising margin of just two runs.
Bangladesh had done well to restrict the opposition to 236 runs in their innings, with Abdur Razzak, Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza claiming two wickets each.
Shakib also starred with the bat, scoring 68 runs, with opener Tamim Iqbal the only other player to pass 50 runs as the home team ended on 234 runs to finish second-best.
Scenes from after the match were glimpses of raw agony, as Bangladesh players wept openly, but the moment also confirmed their place as a serious cricket competitor.
The 2016 Final vs India (T20)
Bangladesh cricket captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza celebrates after winning//Getty Images
The 2016 Asia Cup was the first to be played in the T20 format, injecting a new dynamic into the competition and shaking up the results significantly.
Bangladesh started on the wrong foot with a 45-run loss to India but rebounded with crucial victories against the UAE, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
The home team finished second in the standings, setting up a final against a formidable India squad that went through the group stage unbeaten.
In an unfortunate blow to their aspirations, Bangladesh posted only 120 runs with Ravi Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah claiming economical braces.
Tournament top-scorer, Sabbir Rahman, was the pick of the Tigers' batting line-up with 32 runs from 29 balls, contributing to an overall tally of 176.
In reply, Shikhar Dhawan played a starring role for India with 60 runs from 44 balls, supported by Virat Kohli, with MS Dhoni also acting as a finisher.
Bangladesh fast bowler, Al-Amin Hossain extended his lead in the 2016 Asia Cup wicket-taking charts with a lone dismissal, ending with 11 in total.
Overall, the home team were applauded for their spirit and determination, with the losing margin not indicative of how close they came to the trophy.
Bangladesh’s second Asia Cup final appearance was an important milestone, setting up future success on the continent and also on the world stage.
The 2018 Final vs India (ODI)
Bangladesh cricketer Mahmudullah lies on the ground//Getty Images
Played in a two-pool format and hosted in the UAE, Bangladesh started well in Group B with a massive 137-run victory against Sri Lanka.
The Tigers then suffered a loss to rising minnows Afghanistan, by 136 runs, squeezing into the Super Four where things were no easier.
First, Bangladesh lost by 7 wickets to a dominant India, before avenging their earlier defeat with a narrow three-run win against Afghanistan.
Finally, the Tigers secured a place in the 2018 Asia Cup final with a win over Pakistan, by 37 runs, setting up another final versus India.
One of the most memorable moments of this clash was Litton Das scoring a wonderful 121 runs from 117 balls, with limited team support.
He was eventually dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed three scalps to end joint-third on the bowling table with 10 wickets in total.
In reply, the Indian batsmen struggled to stay at the crease, with Rohit Sharma’s 48 runs from 55 balls the highlight of the second innings.
Mustafizur Rahman, who ended in the tournament’s top three wicket-takers, claimed two dismissals and conceded only 38 runs.
For Bangladesh, it was another instance of falling just short, with India mustering a slim three-wicket win to claim the cup again.
Mushfiqur Rahim scored the most runs for Bangladesh in Asia Cup ODIs, with 830, while Sabbir Rahman has the most runs for the Tigers in tournament T20s, with 181.
Beyond the Finals: Notable Campaigns and Semi-Final Appearances
While their appearances in Asia Cup finals are widely talked about, Bangladesh has also enjoyed other confidence-boosting campaigns and underdog victories in other years.
In 2023, the previous edition, the Tigers exited the Super Four as the third-placed team, which included a six-run victory over India, who were bowled out with a ball to spare.
This mirrored their win against India in the 2012 edition, which was also the first time Bangladesh had beaten one of the top three Asian teams in their history at the tournament.
Their 2016 Asia Cup campaign was notable for their impressive record of three wins from four matches in the group stage, including victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Architects of Bangladesh's Rise in Asian Cricket
Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh //Getty Images
It would be remiss to mention Bangladesh’s rise in Asian cricket without mentioning Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Mashrafe Mortaza.
The so-called Fab Five formed the backbone of the Tigers’ line-up, providing leadership, experience, and match-winning performances in multiple editions of the tournament.
From all-around contributions to opening scores and resilience behind the stumps, these five played a crucial role in Bangladesh's transformation from minnows to global contenders.
The Fab Five have also paved the way for future legends like Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman, expected to fly their flag in upcoming years.
Bangladesh has also benefited from top-class coaching and development, with Chandika Hathurusingha notably guiding the team to their most successful Asia Cup editions.
Hathurusingha returned to the coaching role in 2023 - the same year that the Tigers ended in third place, with West Indies legend Phil Simmons now lending them his expertise.
Meanwhile, domestic structures like the Bangladesh Premier League and the National Cricket League have helped build the country’s talent pool from the grassroots level up.
Bangladesh Asia Cup Wins: What Has Prevented the Tigers from Clinching the Title?
While they have grown in competitive edge, Bangladesh have remained Asia Cup underdogs due to several key challenges that need to be addressed.
Low-scoring efforts in high-stakes matches are indicative of the team’s relative inexperience compared to persistent winners like India and Pakistan.
These Asian titans boast strong talent pools, with major domestic tournaments playing a crucial role, with Bangladesh lacking the same level of depth.
To realise their dream of Asia Cup glory, and perhaps global silverware, the Tigers need to also bolster their bowling roster and middle-order line-ups.
Lastly, Bangladesh needs to begin adapting to different conditions and situations, learning from experience and putting those lessons into full action.
The Future: Can Bangladesh Finally Break the Asia Cup Jinx?
It would not be an exaggeration to state that Bangladesh has come a long way over the past two decades, going from missing major ICC tournaments to a semi-final appearance at the 2017 Champions Trophy and three second-place finishes at the Asia Cup.
To take the next step, the Tigers would need to continue building squad depth, establishing batting line-ups that do not overly rely on opening batsmen or specific players, as well as bowling attacks that can take regular wickets without conceding many runs.
Bangladesh also needs to utilise their experience in high-pressure situations and nurture future stars, with their Asia Cup finals not only moments of heartbreak but also indicative of the national cricket team being on the right track to continental success.
With the likes of Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mustafizur Rahman leading the line, coupled with continued national pride and a fervent support base, the question ‘Has Bangladesh won the Asia Cup?’ is sure to be answered positively in years to come.
Despite not having an Asia Cup title, Bangladesh's history of reaching multiple finals, especially their thrilling narrow losses, has made them a dangerous opponent capable of upsets; their performance in crunch games is a key factor bettors will consider.
Bruce Douglas has more than 12 years of experience in local news media. He has worked at all levels of print and online publication, from crime and politics to photography, newspaper layout, proofreading, mentoring, sub-editing, and leading a newsroom. He played numerous sports at the school level and enjoys keeping up to date.