India are the most successful team in Women's Asia Cup history, having won seven of the nine completed editions. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the only other teams to have lifted the trophy, winning their maiden titles in 2018 and 2024 respectively.
The competition began in 2004 as a small two-team ODI event between India and Sri Lanka. Since then, it has grown into one of the most important regional tournaments in women's cricket, expanded to include more Asian teams and moved permanently to the T20 format from 2012.
The 2026 Women's Asia Cup has now concluded in Dubai, completing the tournament’s tenth edition. The historical winners list below covers all ten editions, including the latest 2026 tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Most Successful Team: India have won the Women's Asia Cup Eight times, more than any other team.
- First Non-India Champion: Bangladesh ended India's six-title winning streak by winning their first championship in 2018.
- Defending Champions: India won their 8th Women's Asia Cup title in 2026.
- Format Evolution: The first four editions were played in the 50-over format before the tournament switched to T20 cricket in 2012.
- 2026 Edition: The tenth Women's Asia Cup is is now been completed on September 13, 2026 and won by India after defeating Sri Lanka in the final.
Women's Asia Cup Winners List: All Champions from 2004 to 2026
Here is the complete Women's Asia Cup winners list, including the format, host nation, runner-up and deciding result for every completed edition.
| Year | Format | Host | Champion | Runner-up | Deciding Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | ODI | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka | India won the five-match series 5-0 |
| 2005-06 | ODI | Pakistan | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 97 runs |
| 2006 | ODI | India | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 8 wickets |
| 2008 | ODI | Sri Lanka | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 177 runs |
| 2012 | T20I | China | India | Pakistan | India won by 18 runs |
| 2016 | T20I | Thailand | India | Pakistan | India won by 17 runs |
| 2018 | T20I | Malaysia | Bangladesh | India | Bangladesh won by 3 wickets |
| 2022 | T20I | Bangladesh | India | Sri Lanka | India won by 8 wickets |
| 2024 | T20I | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | India |
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets |
| 2026 | T20I | Dubai | India |
Sri Lanka | Ind won by 72 runs |
The 2004 edition was different from every tournament that followed. It involved only India and Sri Lanka and was decided through a five-match ODI series rather than a traditional one-off final. India won all five matches to become the first Women's Asia Cup champions.
The tournament gradually expanded after that. Pakistan joined for the 2005-06 edition, while Bangladesh became part of the competition in 2008. Over time, more developing cricket nations from Asia were included, helping the Women's Asia Cup grow from a contest between a small number of established teams into a broader regional tournament.
Most Women's Asia Cup Titles: Team Standings
| Team | Titles | Winning Years | Runner-up Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 8 | 2004, 2005-06, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2022,2026 | 2018, 2024 |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 2024 | 2004, 2005-06, 2006, 2008, 2022,2026 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 2018 | — |
| Pakistan | 0 | — | 2012, 2016 |
India's record is particularly remarkable because their success has continued across different generations and two different formats. They won all four editions played during the ODI era and then added four more titles after the tournament switched to T20 cricket.
Sri Lanka's title history is also notable. Before their breakthrough in 2024, they had reached five finals without winning the trophy. Bangladesh, meanwhile, produced one of the tournament's biggest surprises when they defeated India in the 2018 final to become the first team other than India to win the competition.
Women's Asia Cup History: Edition-by-Edition
2004: India Win the Inaugural Edition
The first Women's Asia Cup was held in Sri Lanka and featured only two teams: India and the hosts. Instead of a traditional tournament format, the competition consisted of a five-match ODI series. India dominated the series, winning all five matches to claim the inaugural title.
The tournament was small by modern standards, but it established a continental competition that would later become an important part of the women's cricket calendar in Asia.
2005-06: Pakistan Join the Competition
The second edition marked an important step in the tournament's development as Pakistan joined India and Sri Lanka. With three teams involved, the Women's Asia Cup moved closer to becoming a genuine regional competition rather than a bilateral series under a tournament name.
India continued their dominance and successfully defended the title, while Sri Lanka once again finished as runners-up.
2006: India's Third Consecutive Title
India hosted the next edition and continued their dominance over Asian women's cricket. They won their third consecutive Women's Asia Cup title, once again finishing ahead of Sri Lanka.
By this stage, India had established a clear advantage in the competition. Their batting depth and bowling strength made them the benchmark for the other teams in the region.
2008: The End of the ODI Era
The 2008 edition was the final Women's Asia Cup played in the 50-over format. India defeated Sri Lanka by 177 runs to complete a fourth consecutive title.
Bangladesh also participated, further expanding the competition. India's victory meant they finished the ODI era with a perfect record in terms of tournament titles, winning all four editions played between 2004 and 2008.
2012: The Tournament Switches to T20 Cricket
After a four-year gap, the Women's Asia Cup returned in 2012 with a major change: the tournament switched from 50-over cricket to the T20 format.
The change reflected the growing importance of T20 cricket around the world. The shorter format placed greater emphasis on scoring quickly, bowling variations, athletic fielding and tactical flexibility.
India adapted immediately and won the first T20 edition, defeating Pakistan by 18 runs in the final.
2016: India Continue Their Dominance
The 2016 edition in Thailand produced another India-Pakistan final. India once again came out on top, winning by 17 runs to claim their sixth Women's Asia Cup title.
Pakistan reached their second final but were again denied their first championship. India, meanwhile, remained the only team to have won the competition.
2018: Bangladesh Produce a Historic Breakthrough
The 2018 Women's Asia Cup in Malaysia changed the tournament's history. India had won all six previous editions and entered the competition as overwhelming favourites.
Bangladesh, however, defeated India by three wickets in a tense final to claim their first Women's Asia Cup title. The victory ended India's long winning run and proved that the competition was becoming more balanced.
For Bangladesh women's cricket, the result was one of the biggest achievements in the team's history and showed how much the side had developed in the T20 format.
2022: India Regain the Trophy
India returned to the top in 2022 after losing the previous final to Bangladesh. They reached the final against Sri Lanka and won by eight wickets to claim their seventh title.
The victory restored India's position as the dominant team in the competition, but the tournament had already become more competitive than it had been during the earlier ODI era.
2024: Sri Lanka Finally Become Champions
The 2024 edition in Sri Lanka produced another major chapter in Women's Asia Cup history. Sri Lanka had previously reached five finals without winning the title.
In the final, India posted 165 for 6, but Sri Lanka successfully chased the target and won by eight wickets. Harshitha Samarawickrama played a crucial role with an unbeaten half-century as Sri Lanka finally lifted the Women's Asia Cup trophy for the first time.
The result made Sri Lanka only the third team, after India and Bangladesh, to win the tournament.
2026: India taking their revenge from Sri Lanka
The 2026 edition in Dubai produced another major chapter in Women's Asia Cup history. India entered the tournament as the most successful team in the competition and went on to complete an unbeaten campaign.
In the final, India posted 183 for 5, powered by half-centuries from Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. Sri Lanka struggled against India's disciplined spin attack and were bowled out for 111, giving India a comprehensive 72-run victory.
The result saw India reclaim the Women's Asia Cup title and extend their record to eight championships. It also marked India's 10th consecutive appearance in the tournament final.
ODI Era vs T20 Era
| Era | Years | Editions | Champions | Key Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI Era | 2004-2008 | 4 | India won all 4 | Complete Indian dominance |
| T20 Era | 2012 onwards | 6 completed editions | India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka | Greater competitiveness |
The format change did not immediately end India's dominance. India won the first two T20 editions in 2012 and 2016. However, the shorter format eventually produced more competitive tournaments, with Bangladesh winning in 2018 and Sri Lanka following in 2024.
T20 cricket can reduce the advantage of a stronger squad because one exceptional bowling spell, a rapid innings or a difficult chase can significantly influence a single knockout match. That unpredictability has helped make recent editions more competitive.
Why India Have Dominated the Women's Asia Cup
India's eight titles cannot be explained by a single generation of players. Their success has stretched from the era of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami to the modern generation led by players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma.
For much of the tournament's history, India have generally possessed greater depth than their regional rivals. Their combination of experienced batters, quality spin bowlers and a larger pool of domestic players helped them maintain a consistently high standard.
The growth of women's cricket in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has gradually reduced that gap. Their title victories in 2018 and 2024 were significant not simply because India lost, but because both teams demonstrated that they could handle the pressure of a major final and defeat the tournament's most successful side.
Historical Records and Key Stats
- Most Women's Asia Cup titles: India – 8.
- Only teams to win the tournament: India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
- First champion: India in 2004.
- First T20 champion: India in 2012.
- Bangladesh's first title: 2018.
- Sri Lanka's first title: 2024.
- Most runs: Mithali Raj – 1,127 runs.
- Most wickets: Deepti Sharma – 40 wickets.
These records reflect the long history of the tournament. Mithali Raj's run tally highlights India's dominance across the early years, while Deepti Sharma wicket record underlines her importance to India.
How the Women's Asia Cup Has Changed
The Women's Asia Cup has changed dramatically since its first edition in 2004. It began as a five-match contest between India and Sri Lanka but gradually expanded as more Asian nations developed their women's cricket programmes.
Pakistan's arrival in the second edition added another major cricketing nation to the competition, while Bangladesh's inclusion created a wider regional field. Later editions also provided opportunities for emerging teams such as Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Hong Kong China and other developing cricket nations.
The switch to T20 cricket in 2012 was another major turning point. It made the competition shorter and more aligned with the format that increasingly dominates the international cricket calendar.
By 2026, the tournament had expanded into an eight-team event, demonstrating how much women's cricket has grown across Asia since the two-team competition held in 2004.
Women's Asia Cup 2026: Tournament Update
The tenth edition of the Women's Asia Cup was played in Dubai, UAE, from August 28 to September 13, 2026. Eight teams competed in the T20I tournament, with the top teams advancing from the group stage to the semi-finals.
India entered the tournament as the most successful team in Women's Asia Cup history, while Sri Lanka were the defending champions after their historic 2024 triumph. India went on to complete an unbeaten campaign and reached the final for the tenth consecutive time.
In the final at Dubai International Stadium, India posted 183 for 5, with Shafali Verma scoring 68 and Smriti Mandhana making 59. India's bowlers then dismissed Sri Lanka for 111, securing a 72-run victory. The result gave India their record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup title.
India finished as champions, while Sri Lanka were the runners-up. The 2026 result also means that the historical Women's Asia Cup winners list now includes India's eighth title, replacing Sri Lanka's 2024 triumph as the most recent entry.
2026 Women's Asia Cup Final
Champion: India
Runner-up: Sri Lanka
Result: India won by 72 runs
India: 183/5
Sri Lanka: 111 all out
Venue: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
Player of the Match: Shafali Verma
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has India won the Women's Asia Cup?
India have won the Women's Asia Cup Eight times: 2004, 2005-06, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2022 and 2026. They have also finished as runners-up in 2018 and 2024.
Who won the last completed Women's Asia Cup?
India won the 2026 Women's Asia Cup. They defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to claim their 8th title.
Has Pakistan ever won the Women's Asia Cup?
No. Pakistan have reached the final twice, in 2012 and 2016, but lost both matches to India. They are still searching for their first Women's Asia Cup title.
When did the Women's Asia Cup switch from ODI to T20?
The first four editions, from 2004 to 2008, were played in the 50-over format. The tournament switched to T20 cricket in 2012.
Who has scored the most runs in Women's Asia Cup history?
Former India captain Mithali Raj holds the record for the most runs in Women's Asia Cup history with 1,127 runs.
Which team has won the most Women's Asia Cup titles?
India are the most successful team in Women's Asia Cup history with eight titles. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have each won the tournament once.
Who are the defending Women's Asia Cup champions?
India are the defending champions after winning their 8th Women's Asia Cup title in 2026.
How many teams have won the Women's Asia Cup?
Three teams have won the Women's Asia Cup: India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The Bottom Line
The Women's Asia Cup winners list is dominated by India, who have won total eight of the ten completed editions. Their success has stretched across both the ODI and T20 eras, making them comfortably the most successful team in the competition's history.
However, the tournament's story is no longer defined by India alone. Bangladesh's historic victory in 2018 ended India's six-title winning streak, while Sri Lanka's breakthrough in 2024 finally rewarded a team that had previously lost five finals.
The competition has also grown significantly since its beginnings as a two-team series in 2004. With eight teams taken part in the 2026 edition, the Women's Asia Cup now represents a much broader picture of women's cricket in Asia.