Cricket has been played for several centuries, boasting a massive fan following around the world. Several teams engage in renowned cricket tournaments — bilateral series and multi-nation tournaments — further boosting the sport’s popularity.
However, it’s the multi-team events that captivate the fans and experts alike, offering edge-of-the-seat contests. A few cricket tournaments fit inside this bracket, pulling an enormous amount of enthusiasts towards them.
Here, in this article, we’ll list the top 4 most popular cricket tournaments in the world.
4. Asia Cup
Cricket on the Asian continent has a huge fan following, with teams like India and Pakistan being the powerhouses on the international stage. Moreover, other neighbouring teams like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have also made their mark with remarkable performances.
All these heavyweights compete in the continental cricket tournament — the Asia Cup. Thus, it’s a no-brainer that the Asia Cup garners a lot of eyeballs, not just from the continent but from the whole world.
Its first edition took place way back in 1984. Since then, the Asia Cup has been held in ODI and T20I formats. Other emerging teams from the region, like the UAE, Hong Kong, and Nepal, have also featured in the tournament.
Also Read | Asia Cup History: Evolution of Formats and Top Performers
3. ICC T20 World Cup
The fast-paced and shortest format of the game, T20 cricket, burst onto the scene in 2003. As the newer format started crawling in popularity, cricket’s global body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), didn’t waste much time, launching the T20 World Cup in 2007.
The inaugural T20 World Cup was a success, getting a permanent place in the ICC events calendar every 2 years. The short and crisp format helped the tournament grow in popularity outside the regular cricket-playing nations.
Furthermore, the emerging teams on the international circuit get a golden opportunity to square off against the mighty teams of the format.
2. Indian Premier League
Following the grand reception for the 2007 T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) kicked off the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Now, the IPL is the biggest and most prominent cricket league in the world.
The league, which features 10 teams studded with T20 superstars, guarantees to enthral fans with amazing performances. All the drama, excitement, and sheer quality of cricket on display is enough to garner a massive fanbase.
Also Read | 10 Most Popular T20 Leagues in the World
1. ICC Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup, also known as the ODI World Cup, is the pinnacle of cricket tournaments worldwide. The ICC organises the grand multi-nation competition every 4 years.
First organised in 1975, the 50-over tournament pits the best of the best teams against each other. The high level of competitiveness has helped the ODI World Cup stand the test of time among the flurry of new tournaments.
