Asian Countries to have Won the ODI World Cup | The Full List

Asian countries have become a force to be reckoned with in the World Cup ever since India’s triumph in 1983. Three Asian nations have won ODI World Cups: India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. While India has won the ODI World Cup twice, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have won the trophy once.

Asian Countries to Have Won the ODI World Cup

Asian countries have been a part of the ODI World Cup since its inaugural edition in 1975. India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka made their World Cup debuts in the same edition. However, it took the third World Cup to prove the worth of Asian nations on the big stage. Kapil Dev-led India won the 1983 World Cup by defeating the West Indies at Lord’s. 

Eight years later, Pakistan became the second Asian nation to lift the trophy. Imran Khan’s men beat England in Melbourne to add Pakistan’s name to the trophy list. Taking a cue from India’s 1983 World Cup campaign, Sri Lanka stunned Australia to lift its first ICC silverware and join India and Pakistan in the Asian ODI World Cup winners club.  

Here’s a look at the Asian nations in the ICC World Cup winners list 1975 to 2019 in detail.

India – 1983 World Cup

Nobody gave India a chance to win the ODI World Cup in 1983. India, who struggled in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, proved everyone wrong. The team played six matches in the group stage, winning four. In the semi-final, India clinched a comfortable six-wicket win over England. 

West Indies, the favorites, awaited India In the final. After losing the toss, India had to bat first, and it was a struggle. India was bowled out for 183. The West Indies’s batting lineup looked like an easy chase for the two-time defending champions. However, Indian bowlers had other ideas and bowled with great discipline. Mohinder Amarnath trapped Michael Holding to begin the celebrations for India.

It was the first time an Asian country won the ODI World Cup.

Pakistan – 1992 World Cup

Pakistan was the second Asian country to win the ODI World Cup. In the 1992 edition, the Pakistan team was led by their inspirational skipper  Imran Khan. Pakistan played eight matches in the league stage, winning four, losing three, and one ended in a tie. In the sem-final, Inzamam-ul-Haq’s 60 and Javed Miandad’s unbeaten saw them chase down 263 with six balls to spare. 

Pakistan met England in the 1992 World Cup final. Batting first, Pakistan posted 249 in 50 overs. The game was in balance, with England needing a little over 100 runs in 16 overs. However, a double strike from Wasim Akram turned the tie in Pakistan’s favour. England succumbed to a 22-run defeat, putting Pakistan on the ODI World Cup winner map. 

Sri Lanka – 1996 World Cup

Sri Lanka is the third Asian team to etch their name in the ODI World Cup winners list. In the 1996 edition, Sri Lanka won their group stage match, two of which were walk-over as Australia and West Indies refused to travel to Colombo. In the quarter-final and semi-final, the Lankans overcame England and India, respectively, with ease.

Arjuna Ranatunga’s men met 1987 World Cup winners, Australia. After batting first, the Kangaroos scored 241 in 50 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka lost its openers early, but the experienced Roshan Mahanama, Aravinda De Silva, and Arjuna Ranatunga saw them home with 22 balls to spare. It was the first successful chase in the history of a World Cup final. 

India – 2011 World Cup

Considering that the 2011 ODI World Cup was to be played in the Indian subcontinent and MS Dhoni was leading the side, everyone expected India to win. The ‘Men in Blue’ played six matches in the 2011 ODI World Cup league stage, winning four, losing one, and one ended in a tie. In the knockout stage, India overcame Australia in the quarter-finals, while victory over Pakistan sealed a place in the final.

Familiar foe and neighbour Sri Lanka was India’s opponent in the final. The island nation scored a challenging 275 thanks to a classy century by Mahela Jayawardene. India chased down the total as opening batter Gautam Gambhir and skipper MS Dhoni played defining knocks. India lifted their second ODI World Cup, 28 years since its maiden triumph.

Concluding Thoughts

Asian teams have always been strong and performed well in the ODI World Cups, especially in the recent past. Sri Lanka finished runner-up in the 2007 and 2011 editions, while India reached the last four in 2011, 2015, and 2019.