Asia Cup 2023: Lowest score defended in Asia Cup history

The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is just around the corner, with six teams participating in the continental tournament for a chance to be crowned the Asian champions. The upcoming tournament will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka after a lengthy deliberation over the venue of Asia Cup 2023. 

High-scoring affairs between teams have become the norm ever since the emergence of the franchise leagues. However, the Asia Cup has witnessed several strong bowling performances from the Asian sides over the years, defending modest totals to clinch memorable victories.

The 50-over matches in the competition have witnessed several low-scoring thrillers over the years. India, the most successful team in Asia Cup, hold the record for the lowest total defended in the competition's history. India achieved the feat after successfully defending a modest total of 188 runs against arch-rivals Pakistan in Sharjah.

Imran Khan's Pakistan also find themselves on the elusive list after defending 197 runs against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Arjuna Ranatunga's bowlers flexed their muscles in the 1990 edition of the Asia Cup after defending 214 runs against a star-studded Indian team at the Barabati Stadium.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka conclude the list for the five lowest totals defended in the 50-over format of the Asia Cup. While Bangladesh successfully defended 221 runs against minnows Hong Kong, Sri Lanka triumphed in the 2004 Asia Cup Final after successfully defending 228 runs against India.

Moving on to the shortest format of the game, Sri Lanka holds the record for defending the lowest total in Asia Cup history when Lasith Malinga's heroics helped them secure a win, defending a paltry 129 against UAE. Bangladesh occupies the second and third spots after successfully defending 133 and 147 against UAE and Sri Lanka, respectively.

The first match of the 2016 edition of the Asia Cup saw the Indian team defend 166 runs in Mirpur, the fourth-lowest total in T20Is in Asia Cup history. The final of the 2022 edition of the tournament witnessed Dasun Shanaka's men successfully defend a par total of 170 against Pakistan to clinch the title.

Lowest score defended in ODI Asia Cup