Top 5 Moments from the 2018 Asia Cup 

As the 14th edition of the Asia Cup came to a close, India picked up their record sixth trophy, beating the likes of Hong Kong, Pakistan, and then Bangladesh in a thrilling finale.

We take a look at the most memorable moments from the Asia Cup

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#5 Hong Kong's spirited play vs. India

Let's be honest, nobody really expected Hong Kong to make it as far as they did. They were pitted against some solid associate teams in the Qualifiers, sides such as Nepal, Oman, and Malaysia.

After collapsing to put up a measly 116 vs. Pakistan, which was chased with consummate ease, nobody expected much out of the associate team. Even in their next match vs. India, which started with a Shikhar Dhawan masterclass, nobody expected Hong Kong to come even close to the 286 they were set.

That all changed when Nizakat Khan and captain Anshuman Rath came to open the innings. They started fluently, hitting boundaries and rotating the strike exceptionally well. They reached 50 without a loss, India seemed a little worried. Then they reached the century stand. India fans start to sweat a little. The pair reaches 174 before Rath falls.

Even after wickets fell, Hong Kong never gave up. Slowly but surely, they crept towards the target. Eventually, however, the asking rate soared too high, and India snuck away with a 26 run win.

India may have won the match, but Hong Kong won the hearts of cricket fans everywhere.

#4 Shoaib Malik's Heroic Performance

Shoaib Malik took Pakistan to victory vs. Afghanistan

Pakistan had just managed to sneak into the Super Four stages after dominating Hong Kong and thrashed by India. Against Afghanistan, the mercurial side looked to bounce back and regain form.

Mohammad Nawaz picked up three quick wickets, but from then on the match was dominated by Hashmatullah Shahidi and captain Asghar Afghan. Shahidi kept runs ticking while Afghan played aggressor, smashing 5 sixes in an exhilarating innings.

Given 258 to chase, Pakistan had the daunting challenge of facing Afghanistan's lethal spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi.

Fakhar fell early, Imam ul-Haq and Babar Azam steadied the ship for a while. But when they fell along with captain Sarfraz Ahmed, the task of bringing home the victory went to the experienced Shoaib Malik, playing his 269th ODI for the greens.

He kept the runs flowing and managed the spinners well, hitting crucial boundaries and keeping Pakistan's hopes alive. With 10 required off 6, Malik went to work, hitting a 6 followed by a 4 to take Pakistan to victory.

#3 Mustafizur Rehman's last over vs. Afghanistan

Mustafizur Rehman was the hero

Afghanistan and Bangladesh faced off in a must-win battle to keep their dreams alive.

With Bangladesh struggling at 87-5, Imrul Kayes and Mahmadullah fought bravely and clawed Bangladesh to a first-innings total of 249.

In response, Mohammad Shahzad and Hashmatullah Shahidi struck half centuries. Supported from contributions from Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, and Samiullah Shenwari, Afganistan reached the last over, needing 8 to win.

The stage was set for a thrilling finale.

Mustafizur Rehman, long-hailed as one of the best death bowlers in International Cricket, lived up to his reputation. After a double off the first ball, Rehman struck back with his wicket, before unleashing his arsenal of variations. The batsmen struggled to even get bat on ball.

While Afghanistan were heartbroken yet again, the Bangladesh team celebrated as once again the Fiz took them to victory

#2 Afghanistan vs. India Tied Match

Rashid Khan bowls

MS Dhoni took the reins again as captain with Rohit Sharma resting, although he could do little to stop Mohammad Shehzad from smashing an exhilarating century. He, along with Mohammad Nabi, took Afghanistan to 253.

The new look Indian top order of Rahul/Rayudu/Karthik took India to 142, but then the wickets started falling. Dhoni fell quick, as did Manish Pandey. Kedhar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja, making his ODI return, clawed India closer to the target.

The final over came. Rashid Khan to bowl, India needing 7 runs from 6 balls. Jadeja slogs, sweeps a four and then runs a double. Khaleel Ahmed manages a single.

Scores are level. Jadeja on strike. One ball to go.

Rashid Khan pitches it outside off, Jadeja mistimes the pull, and the ball soars straight into the air. Zadran takes it at midwicket.

Game over. Tie game. What a finish!

#1 India take home the trophy

Kedhar Jadhav was the hero for India

Liton Das seemed to be the early hero of this match, striking his maiden ODI century in a blazing 121. Unfortunately, the rest of the team struggled to put up runs, only managing to set India a target of 223.

Captain Rohit Sharma fell for 48, and wickets started to fall. Rayudu went soon after. Karthik and Dhoni consolidated for a bit, but when Dhoni knicked behind off Mustafizur, Bangladesh sensed an opening.

Jadhav fought on, as did Jadeja. Slowly but surely they marched closer to the target. Even Jadhav limped along, who found himself struggling to run singles. Eventually, he retired out.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar supported with the bat, crunching a crucial six off Rubel Hossain. But when Jadeja was caught behind, and Kumar also got out, out came a limping Kedhar Jadhav.

With Kuldeep as his partner, India needed 9 off 11 to take home the trophy.

Mahmadullah was set to bowl the final over of a thrilling match, India needing 6 off 6. As the pair ran for the singles, Bangladesh fans hoped for a Super Over.

With 1 off 1, Kedhar Jadhav, the valiant, limping warrior who never gave up, ran the leg bye off the last ball.

After 98.3 tense, chilling overs, India took home their record sixth Asia Cup Championship.