The ACC Women’s Asia Cup has become one of the most important tournaments in Asian women’s cricket. Organized by the Asian Cricket Council, the competition began in 2004 as a 50-over tournament before moving to the T20 International format in 2012.
India Women have been the most successful team in the history of the competition, winning seven of the nine editions played so far. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the only other teams to have lifted the trophy, with Bangladesh winning in 2018 and Sri Lanka claiming their first title in 2024.
India Dominate the Early Years
India won the first four editions of the Women’s Asia Cup in 2004, 2005 to 06, 2006 and 2008. The first edition was played as a five-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, with India completing a 5 to 0 sweep.
India continued their dominance in the next two tournaments. They defeated Sri Lanka by 97 runs in the 2005 to 06 final before winning the 2006 final by eight wickets. In 2008, India again defeated Sri Lanka, this time by a massive 177 runs.
These victories established India as the leading force in women’s cricket in Asia.
The T20 Era Begins
The tournament moved to the T20 International format in 2012, and India continued their winning run. They defeated Pakistan by 18 runs in the final to win the first Women’s T20 Asia Cup.
India retained the trophy in 2016, beating Pakistan by 17 runs in the final. The tournament in Thailand saw India remain unbeaten throughout their campaign.
The two victories took India’s total to six consecutive Asia Cup titles and made them the clear leaders in the Women’s Asia Cup winners list.
Bangladesh Create History in 2018
The dominance of India finally ended in 2018 when Bangladesh produced one of the biggest moments in the tournament’s history.
Bangladesh defeated India by three wickets in a dramatic final in Kuala Lumpur. The match went down to the final ball, with Bangladesh completing the chase and becoming the first team other than India to win the women’s Asia cup.
It was a historic moment for Bangladesh and showed that women’s cricket in Asia was becoming increasingly competitive.
India Return to the Top in 2022
India regained the trophy in 2022 in Bangladesh. They defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final after producing a strong bowling performance.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 65, allowing India to complete the chase in only 8.3 overs. The victory gave India their seventh title and strengthened their position at the top of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup winners list.
Sri Lanka Win Their First Title
Sri Lanka finally ended their long wait for an Asia Cup title in 2024. Playing on home soil in Dambulla, Sri Lanka defeated India by eight wickets in the final.
India had set a target of 166, but Sri Lanka produced an excellent chase to win their maiden trophy. The victory was particularly significant after Sri Lanka had finished as runners-up five times previously.
Women’s Asia Cup Winners List
The Women’s T20 Asia Cup winners and overall tournament champions include India in 2004, 2005 to 06, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2022. Bangladesh won in 2018, while Sri Lanka became champions in 2024.
India’s seven titles remain the most in tournament history. The India Women’s Asia Cup titles have come across both ODI and T20 formats, highlighting their long-standing dominance in Asian women’s cricket.
With Sri Lanka and Bangladesh now having won the competition, the tournament has become more competitive. The future editions could bring further changes to the Women’s Asia Cup winners list as more teams continue to challenge India’s position at the top.
