With this year’s Asia Cup in the UAE approaching its September 28th climax with Super Four matches getting underway on Sunday and Tuesday, we have trawled through the archives to look back at the top five finals from the competition’s history.

And there were no shortage of iconic matches to choose from.

Here’s our rundown in no particular order…

2012 – Down to the wire

In what was the closest Asia Cup final in history, Bangladesh fell two runs short of chasing down Pakistan’s target of 237 in the final played in Mirpur. Men in Green icon Shahid Afridi was man of the match after contributing with both bat and ball as Pakistan sealed their second Asia Cup trophy, adding to their inaugural win against the same opponent 12 years earlier.

Pakistan spoiled Bangladesh’s party on home soil six years ago.

1988 – India claim second title triumph

The Men in Blue are the most decorated team in the competition’s history with six successes. The subcontinent giants won the first edition of the event in 1984 and followed that up with a win four years last against Sri Lanka in Dhaka. Navjot Sidhu’s 87-ball 76 did the trick in the chase as India reached 180-4, winning by six wickets inside 38 overs.

In the runs: Navjot Sidhu.

2008 – An upset for the ages

Sri Lanka made it back-to-back tournament victories ten years ago and shocked favourites India in Karachi, securing an emphatic 100-run win. Sanith Jayasuriya’s century set the game up and Ajantha Mendis claimed a brilliant 6-13 haul as the Men in Blue were skittled out for just 173 in reply.

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene holds the trophy aloft.

2014 – Little to separate finalists

The Islanders seem to have had a habit of producing the goods in this tournament over the years and chased down 261 with 22 balls remaining to triumph against Pakistan. A century from Lahiru Thirimanne made the difference after Pakistan had previously looked in control, with their own Fawad Alam scoring 114 on a testing surface in Mirpur.

Ton-up: Lahiru Thirimanne wheels away after scoring his century.

2004 – Another famous occasion for Sri Lanka

Lanka had the advantage of home soil in this tournament but made the most of it, upsetting the might of India in the showpiece. Having made 228-9 batting first, India could only manage 203-9 in reply despite Sachin Tendulkar’s 74. Batter Marvan Atapattu was named man of the match for his crucial 87-ball 65 which swung the early momentum into the hosts’ favour.

It was a captain’s knock by Marvan Atapattu.