Recalling the first Asia Cup with Sunil Gavaskar and Surinder Khanna

By K.R. Nayar
From Dubai International Stadium

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar and former Indian opener Surinder Khanna have a special place in the history of the Asia Cup. Gavaskar was the first captain to lift the Asia Cup, and Khanna was the first Player of the Tournament in the inaugural edition of this tournament in 1984 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. A photo of Gavaskar lifting the Asia Cup, sporting a thick moustache and standing alongside Abdulrehman Bukhatir, who organised the event, and Khanna, is displayed prominently at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Link to Gulf News coverage of my story:  https://gulfnews.com/sport/asia-cup/recalling-the-first-asia-cup-with-sunil-gavaskar-and-surinder-khanna-1.500263925 

Link to Rediff coverage of mystory: https://www.rediff.com/cricket/special/asia-cup-when-gavaskar-khanna-stole-the-show/20250910.htm. 

Sunil Gavaskar in front of the photo lifting the first Asia Cup. Photos by K.R. Nayar

Standing in front of that famous photograph, Gavaskar, speaking to this reporter some time back had said: “I am so happy to have been part of the first Asia Cup which India won and also to have become part of the first-ever international match at this stadium during that event. Many congratulations to Abdulrehman Bukhatir and his sons, who have now taken up the mantle to carry on this wonderful tradition.” 

Memories of first Asia Cup Player of the Tournament

Speaking to this reporter from New Delhi, Surinder Khanna, who had played an unbeaten knock of 51 against Sri Lanka and 56 against Pakistan to ensure India the title, said: “It’s very nostalgic.

Surinder Khanna with Khalaf Bukhatir (left) and Waleed Bukhatir 

I am so happy that I became part of history through those knocks. No one had played any international matches in Sharjah before, and the feeling of scoring those half-centuries and winning the trophy for India is indeed special. No one ever thought, except Bukhatir, that cricket would prosper here, and today it has spread to other emirates with world-class venues. Sharjah should have been given some of the Asia Cup matches during this edition, as they are the pioneers who launched this tournament and cricket in the region.”

All doors lead to Asia Cup

With all entrance doors to the Dubai International Stadium beautifully decorated with Asia Cup logos, it gives the feeling of all doors leading to the Asia Cup. Some of the doors have also been adorned with photos of the star players who will play in the 17th edition of this tournament. 

All doors decorated with Asia Cup logos

Paintings of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam, which used to be a permanent feature of the posters here, are absent this time. Their absence can be felt not only on the posters but also at the practice area. They always needed special security personnel around them to ward off fans. Still, hundreds gathered around the team bus at the ICC Academy practice venue to have a glimpse of Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. They kept calling out  their names, seeking their  acknowledgement, withstanding the heat and humid conditions.

The posters of top players on the doors 

All posters of the players have their mouths open as if they are screaming. One does not know whether they were done in such a manner to express their aggressiveness or their reaction to the heat and humid conditions in store for them. 

The logo for the Asia Cup has been created with imagination and is colourful. The focus is on a batter playing an aggressive stroke, revealing the energetic, fast-paced nature of the game. The stroke transcends into different colours, representing the jersey colours of the participating countries.

The colourful Asia Cup logo 

Nostalgic for Omarzai

It was a nostalgic moment for Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai, who was named Player of the Match in the opening game against Hong Kong at the Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. It was through this stadium that he entered the international cricket arena, making his ODI debut against Ireland in 2021.