Asia Cup: Ranking all-time jerseys of 8 teams of the tournament

The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup promises to be a keenly-contested affair as teams would like to get some last-minute preparations done ahead of the ODI World Cup, that begins on October 5 India. Sri Lanka are the defending champions, having won the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup by defeating Pakistan in the finals. The first edition of the Asia Cup was played in 1984 in the UAE. India became the first-ever team to win the tournament. They are the most successful team in the tournament's history with seven titles. Sri Lanka are second on the list with six titles, while Pakistan emerged victorious on a couple of occasions. Coloured jerseys weren't introduced back in 1984 as teams played in white attires. However, since the inception of coloured jerseys, we have seen teams sporting some fantastic designs that have made them look the part in the Asia Cup. Here, we have ranked the best five jerseys teams have worn in the history of the Asia Cup: 8. Nepal {NEP} (Yet to play) Nepal, ACC Men's Premier Cup 2023. (Photo Source: Twitter) Nepal are have not yet features in any of the 15 editions of the Asia Cup. However, they will have a chance to showcase their talent on the biggest stage in Asian cricket as they have qualified for the 2023 Asia Cup by winning the ACC Men’s Premier Cup in May, 2023. They sported a very beautiful jersey in the Premier Cup tournament. Blue is a commonly used colour in jerseys but their shade of blue is quite unique. The red colour used sporadically also adds finesse to the jersey. It would be interesting to see if they go in with the same jersey or modify it ahead of the Asia Cup. They are placed in a tough group alongside India and Pakistan, and it will be a road full of obstacles for them in their journey towards the Super Fours. 7. Hong Kong (2008) Hong Kong, Asia Cup 2008. (Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images) Hong Kong have played in the Asia Cup on four occasions. The first time they participated in the tournament was in 2004, with their most recent outing being the 2022 edition of the tournament. Hong Kong played two matches in their second appearance in 2008 and were annihilated in their two matches against India and Pakistan. However, their jersey was quite decent with a vibrant shade of red accompanied by white colour on the sides. Hong Kong couldn’t make the cut for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup after featuring in the last couple of editions. 6. United Arab Emirates {UAE} (2016) UAE, Asia Cup 2016. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images) UAE have hosted the tournament on four occasions and played in three editions. However, the team has never played an Asia Cup at home. In the 2016 edition of the tournament, the UAE sported a grey-coloured kit that was quite different in a pleasant way. Touches of red on the neck and the sides gave a classy look to the jersey. UAE gave Sri Lanka a scare in the first game as they fell short by just 14 runs while chasing 130 for a win in a T20 match. Like Hong Kong, UAE are also not a part of this year’s competition. 5. Bangladesh {BAN} (2000) Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2000. (Photo Source: AFP via Getty Images) The 2000 Asia Cup was the seventh edition of the tournament. Bangladesh hosted the tournament and they were joined by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the four-team affair. The tournament was held between May 29 - June 7. Bangladesh wore a unique jersey in the tournament. The green colour was a bit saturated compared to their previous jerseys. The red colour was also used for the first time on the fabric. Additionally, the tiger print on the arms gave the team a different look as well as symbolising their nickname 'Tigers'. This edition of the Asia Cup is also remembered fondly by Pakistan fans as their team won the title for the first time after defeating Sri Lanka in the finals. Bangladesh suffered a blow when they were beaten by Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series 2-1 recently. However, they won't be too perturbed as they have played well in 50-over cricket over a long period of time. 4. Pakistan {PAK} (2010) Pakistan, Asia Cup 2010. (Photo Source: LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCH/AFP via Getty Images) The 10th edition of the Asia Cup also featured only four teams - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The tournament was held in Sri Lanka. As a team, Pakistan did not have a memorable campaign but their captain Shahid Afridi and their jersey stole the show. The primary colour in the Pakistan jersey has always been green. However, the colour shade they wore during the Asia Cup was much lighter than what was prevalent in most of their previous jerseys. The soothing light-green colour was accompanied by a deeper shade of green on the neck and shoulders. It gave the vibes of the iconic jersey they wore during their triumphant campaign in the 1992 World Cup. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the Player of the Series award after finishing as the highest run-getter in the tournament but failed to take his team to the finals. They were also defeated by arch-rivals India in an epic thriller where tempers flared on a couple of occasions. Gautam Gambhir and Kamran Akmal got into a war of words before Harbhajan Singh and Shoaib Akhtar had a go at each other. The Indian off-spinner eventually won the game for India with the bat. Pakistan have surprisingly won the Asia Cup only a couple of times. They have always had phenomenal bowling attacks but their batting looks better compared to recent years with a settled top four in Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan have a great chance of winning their third title. 3. Sri Lanka {SL} (2022) Sri Lanka, Asia Cup 2022. (Photo Source: Francois Nel/Getty Images) Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup in style in 2022 after defeating Pakistan in the final. This was the sixth time the trophy went to the island nation and for the first time since 2014. Sri Lanka's jersey was spellbinding with the finished product self-explaining the attention to detail given while designing. The colours orange, golden, teal, and maroon were used in the upper half of the jersey to represent their national flag. Just below the four colours, a face of a lion was depicted as the Lankan cricket team is nicknamed 'The Lions'. The 2022 Asia Cup was supposed to be held in Sri Lanka. However, due to financial instability and political turmoil, the tournament was shifted to the UAE. Dasun Shanaka's men will have to play to their full potential to entertain hopes of retaining the title. They have a lethal spin attack comprising Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. However, batting has been an issue for them and they would like to address the same ahead of the ODI World Cup in October-November. 2. Afghanistan {AFG} (2018) Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2018. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images) Afghanistan's cricket has commendably grown in stature in a very short period of time. They announced themselves on the international circuit in the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup that was played in the UAE. The jersey had two different shades of blue and was pleasant to watch. The colours of their national flag were beautifully depicted around the body. Afghanistan weren't only a team that sported a beautiful jersey but they mesmerised on the cricket pitch as well. After shocking Sri Lanka with a 91-run drubbing, Asghar Afghan's men thrashed Bangladesh by 136 runs. Afghanistan took Pakistan to the limit before managing to tie a game with eventual champions India. The spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, and Noor Ahmad makes the Afghan side a dangerous team. The batting department also has some promising players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The team will take confidence from their recent 2-1 ODI series win against Bangladesh and look to pose a serious threat in the upcoming Asia Cup. 1. India {IND} (2004) India, Asia Cup 2004. (Photo Source: ROB ELLIOTT/AFP via Getty Images) The 2004 Asia Cup was played in Sri Lanka and for the first time, leading Asian associate nations, the UAE and Hong Kong participated. The jersey India wore in the tournament is hailed by many as the country's best overall. The jersey was simple and serene. The sky-blue shade was enhanced with the colours of the national flag and 'India' written in yellow was the icing on the cake. India managed to reach the finals but lost to hosts Sri Lanka by 25 runs. Rohit Sharma's men are the favourites going into the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup. After missing out in 2022, the Men in Blue would be looking to win a record-extending eighth title. The 2023 Asia Cup begins on August 30 with Pakistan taking on Nepal in Multan.

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Asia Cup: Ranking all-time jerseys of 8 teams of the tournament

A jersey serves as one of the primary identities of a team and also the fans. A lot of emotions are connected to a jersey and that is why makers tend to invest a lot of time in designing the same.

6. United Arab Emirates {UAE} (2016)

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