Dhaka, in colour
The seventh Asia Cup returned to Bangladesh twelve years after the third, and to a different country in cricketing terms: Bangladesh had been granted Test status a fortnight before the tournament began, and would play their inaugural Test that November. All seven matches were staged at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka in the humidity of late May. It was the first edition played in coloured clothing with a white ball, a change the competition had been slow to make.
For the host side, the promotion did not translate into results. Bangladesh lost all three matches and were dismissed for 87 by Pakistan on 2 June after Imran Nazir's 80 and a total of 320 for 3. The 233-run margin was the heaviest yet recorded in the tournament.
Pakistan's tournament
Pakistan had entered six Asia Cups and won none. This time they won everything. Yousuf Youhana was the constant: 100 from 112 balls against India on 3 June, 90 from 130 against Sri Lanka two days later, and 295 runs across the tournament, comfortably the most by any batsman. Abdul Razzaq's eight wickets, including 4 for 29 against India and a spell of 3 for 5 from four overs against Bangladesh, were the best return with the ball.
India's tournament went the other way. Sourav Ganguly made 135 not out from 124 balls against Bangladesh, the highest score of the competition, but India then lost to Sri Lanka by 71 runs, with Sanath Jayasuriya making 105, and to Pakistan by 44. Two defeats in three left them out of the final. Sachin Tendulkar's 93 against Sri Lanka came in a losing cause, as did Ajay Jadeja's 93 against Pakistan.
The final
Sri Lanka, who had beaten India and Bangladesh, were the other finalists. Pakistan batted first on 7 June and made 277 for 4, Saeed Anwar setting it up with 82 from 115 balls and Moin Khan, the captain and wicketkeeper, striking late to take the man of the match award.
Marvan Atapattu answered with 100 from 124 balls, but Sri Lanka lost wickets steadily around him and were bowled out for 238 with more than four overs unused. Arshad Khan's 2 for 42 from ten overs of off-spin was the tidiest bowling of the innings.
Pakistan had their first Asia Cup at the seventh attempt. It was also the last edition of the old shape: when the tournament next appeared, four years later, it had six teams, two groups and a Super Fours round.