A lot of things about the second Asia Cup were different from its predecessor. For starters, the sponsors had changed. But that was just cosmetic. The biggest disappointment for the sub-continent was the absence of India from the tournament. This was a team that was exceptionally talented and was well-tuned to suit the vagaries of One Day cricket. But sadly, they were not around to defend the trophy they won 2 years back. The other problem because of India's non-participation was that the tournament became a one-team affair.

Pakistan, with their world-class team, looked like a heavyweight pitted against a lightweight learner and a school kid getting a hang of wearing gloves for the first time. Sri Lanka, with their display in the last version of the cup, had showed talent, but consistency was certainly not their strong point. Bangladesh completed the troika in a tournament that had turned into a damp squib even before it started.

This was Bangladesh's first major tournament. Ironically, their inclusion itself reduced the tournament to a boring formality. Strangely, the most important of the three matches were played on the first day, wherein Sri Lanka showed signs of doing an encore of their upset over Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The first half of the match went on similar lines as Pakistan was all out for 197. Sadly, for Sri Lanka, there were no heroics from Duleep Mendis and his men this time, as they were all out for 116.

It is said that one grows faster if the competition is tougher. But Bangaldesh might disagree. In their first match, they came up against Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Abdul Qadir and were promptly bundled out for 94. Even against Sri Lanka's bowlers, they managed nothing more than a 131. So ended Bangladesh's first episode in international cricket! Even after so many years of that tournament, they haven't found their groove against quality opposition.

Pakistan was the easy winner and the organizers could just hope that the next time the Asia Cup was scheduled, India would participate.