Asian Test Championship
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The Asian Test Championship is a Test cricket tournament between the test playing nations of Asia: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is not a regular event in the cricketing calendar, and has so far been held only twice - in 1998/99 and 2001/02. The Asian Test Championship is only the second example of a Test cricket tournament involving more than two teams, the first being the 1912 Triangular Tournament, which was held between Australia, England and South Africa.
[edit] 1998/99 Championship
The first Asian Test Championship was held between February and March 1999 between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh were not involved as they had not yet achieved Test match status.
Three matches were played in 'round-robin' format, with points available for winning matches and batting and bowling performances. The two highest placed teams then went through to the final. The venues of the round-robin matches were rotated between the three countries, with the final to be held in Bangladesh as a neutral venue.
The first match was between India and Pakistan at Calcutta. The two sides had just completed a series with the score tied at 1-1, but this match was not considered part of that.
India secured a first innings lead of 38 runs, scoring 223 to Pakistan's 185, but the Pakistanis put in a much stronger performance in the second innings, posting 316, with opener Saeed Anwar 'carrying his bat', finishing with 188 not out, having opened the innings. India needed to score 279 to win the match, but fell short with only 232. Pakistan scored 17 points and India scored 5.
In the second match, Sri Lanka took on India in Colombo.
This match became a high scoring affair, with the India and Sri Lanka posting 518 and 485 respectively in their first innings. The game was hampered by bad light and weather, and finished as a draw with India on 306 for 5 in their second innings. India scored 5 points, Sri Lanka 4.
The final round robin match was between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Lahore. This match also ended in a draw, with Pakistan scoring 8 points and Sri Lanka 7.
The final round-robin standings were therefore: Pakistan 25, Sri Lanka 11, India 10.
The final was therefore between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dhaka. Sri Lanka were bowled out relatively cheaply in the first innings for 231, to which Pakistan responded with an enormous total of 594 all out. Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq made 211 and 200 respectively and put together a partnership of 366 for the third wicket.
Sri Lanka were comprehensively wiped out again in the second innings, scoring just 188, which meant Pakistan won the match (and with it the championship) by an innings and 175 runs.
[edit] 2001/02 Championship
This was held between Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India had pulled out of the tournament due to its boycott against Pakistan over political tensions. Both Srilanka and Pakistan, scored huge wins over Bangladesh to set up a Pakistan vs Srilanka final. Defending Champions Pakistan were the favourite to defend their title , but Srilankans had the home advantage. THe final proved to be a one sided affair with Srilanka winning it easily to lift the trophy.
