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Asian Test Championship

The countries which took part - Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh
Administrator	Asian Cricket Council
Format	Test cricket
First edition	1998-1999
Latest edition	2001-2002
Tournament format	Round-robin tournament
Number of teams	Bangladesh  India  Pakistan  Sri Lanka
Current champion	Sri Lanka (1st title)
Most successful	Pakistan (1 title)  Sri Lanka (1 title)

The Asian Test Championship was a Test cricket tournament contested by the Test-playing nations of Asia: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It was held only twice, in 1998–99 and in 2001–02. It was originally planned to be held every two years, alternately with the Asia Cup. The third Championship was delayed for four years due to conflicting tours of the participating members. In 2006, the Asian Cricket Council cancelled the Asian Test Championship, as well as the Asian and African Cup, due to the tightly packed international cricket tour schedule.

The tournament winners were Pakistan in 1998–99 and Sri Lanka in 2001–02. Both tournaments contained three teams.

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. This tournament was considered to be the predecessor to the ICC World Test Championship that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was planning for the 9 member nations.

1998–99 Asian Test Championship

Ranking:

1.  Pakistan
2.  Sri Lanka
3.  India

2001–2002 Asian Test Championship

Ranking:

1.  Sri Lanka
2.  Pakistan
3.  Bangladesh

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka competed in the second Asian Test Championship between August 2001 and March 2002. India pulled out of the tournament due to political tensions with Pakistan. Pakistan and Sri Lanka both played Bangladesh in the two round robin matches. A win was worth 16 points, a tie 8 points and no points were awarded for a draw or loss. In addition to this, bonus points were awarded to teams for bowling and batting performances. Pakistan and Sri Lanka qualified for the final after convincingly beating Bangladesh in Multan Cricket Stadium in Pakistan and Colombo in Sri Lanka.

The final was held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets to win the second Asian Test championship.

See also

• Asia Cup
• ICC World Test Championship
• Women's Asia Cup

References

1. Bangladesh did not participate in the 1998–99 tournament
2. India did not participate in the 2001–02 tournament
3. Thawfeeq, Sa'adi (11 February 1999). "Inaugural Asian Test championhips". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
4. Christie, Peter (24 December 1998). "Asian Test Championship from Feb 14 to March 17". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
5. "Asian Test Championship likely to resume". ESPNcricinfo. 25 July 2004. Retrieved 21 June 2024.

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