In cricket, the 90s can be both thrilling and terrifying. A batter inches away from a century feels the pressure of expectation, one mistake and the dream is gone. This tense phase, known as the “nervous nineties”, has seen many great players lose focus or fall victim to bad luck.
As the Asia Cup 2025 ended with India winning the finals against Pakistan, it’s the perfect time to revisit those heart-stopping moments when players came agonizingly close to reaching three figures but couldn’t cross the line. Over the years, there have been quite a few such dismissals between 90 and 99 and each tells a story of grit, heartbreak and cricketing drama.
Here’s a look back at the unluckiest batters in Asia Cup history who fell in the 90s.
1. Kusal Mendis – Twice Heartbroken in 2023 (92 & 91):
No one has suffered more heartbreak in the 90s at the Asia Cup than Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter. In 2023, he fell in the 90s not once but twice, first against Afghanistan (92 off 84) and again against Pakistan (91 off 87).
Against Afghanistan, Kusal Mendis was cruising towards a century before a freak dismissal ended his innings, a dropped catch deflected onto the stumps, leaving him stranded short of his crease. Just days later, he was dismissed for 91 while chasing under DLS conditions against Pakistan, caught brilliantly by Mohammad Haris. Despite the personal heartbreak, Kusal Mendis’s contributions were crucial to Sri Lanka’s campaign.
2. Mushfiqur Rahim – 99 vs Pakistan (2018):
Perhaps the most painful number in cricket is 99 and Mushfiqur Rahim knows that feeling too well. In the 2018 Asia Cup, Bangladesh were struggling at 12/3 when Mushfiqur Rahim joined Mohammad Mithun. Their partnership of 144 runs brought stability but when Mushfiqur Rahim tried to steer a ball through the covers in the 42nd over, it found the edge and went straight to the keeper.
He walked off for 99 off 116 balls, missing a well-deserved hundred by the narrowest margin. Bangladesh still managed a competitive total and won the game but Mushfiqur Rahim’s near-miss remains unforgettable.
3. Shikhar Dhawan – 94 vs Sri Lanka (2014):
During the Asia Cup 2014, Shikhar Dhawan looked set for a classic century against Sri Lanka. Calm and composed, he built partnership with Virat Kohli and anchored India’s innings beautifully. But when he missed a quicker delivery from Ajantha Mendis, his stumps were rattled. Shikhar Dhawan’s 94 off 114 balls included seven fours and a six, an innings full of control that ended just shy of triple digits.
4. Gautam Gambhir – 90 vs Bangladesh (2008):
In 2008, Gautam Gambhir gave India a strong start in the Asia Cup clash against Bangladesh. After early wickets, he teamed up with Suresh Raina to steady the innings. Gambhir’s timing and placement were flawless and he scored at more than a run a ball. But just as he neared a century, Farhad Reza struck. Mashrafe Mortaza took a fine low catch at midwicket to end Gautam Gambhir’s innings at 90 off 84 balls, another case of the nervous nineties claiming a victim.
5. Ajay Jadeja – 93 vs Pakistan (2000):
The Asia Cup 2000 saw Ajay Jadeja fighting a lone battle against Pakistan. After the top order collapsed, Ajay Jadeja stood tall, keeping India’s hopes alive. He struck several boundaries and tried to accelerate toward the end but in the 48th over, he was stumped off Imran Nazir for 93 off 103 balls. India lost by 44 runs and Ajay Jadeja’s knock was one of courageous innings overshadowed by defeat.
6. Sachin Tendulkar – 93 vs Sri Lanka (2000):
In the same tournament, Sachin Tendulkar also fell in the 90s. Chasing 277 against Sri Lanka, Tendulkar battled through early trouble and dominated the bowlers. But just when it looked like another classic was on the cards, he was caught at deep square leg for 93 off 95 balls. His dismissal triggered India’s collapse, they were bowled out for 205. Even for a legend like Sachin, the 90s proved cruel that day.
7. Sadeera Samarawickrama – 93 vs Bangladesh (2023):
Sri Lanka’s Sadeera Samarawickrama played a dazzling knock in the 2023 edition against Bangladesh. Entering mid-innings, he attacked from the start, scoring freely and rotating strike smartly. On the final ball of the innings, he went for a big hit but was caught at deep midwicket. His 93 off just 72 balls came at a strike rate of nearly 130, a superb innings cut short in search of a flourish.
8. Nizakat Khan – 92 vs India (2018):
Associate nation Hong Kong almost pulled off a miracle in 2018, thanks to Nizakat Khan’s brilliant batting against India. Chasing 286, Nizakat and captain Anshy Rath stitched together a century stand that stunned the Indian bowlers.
Just when it seemed Hong Kong could cause an upset, debutant Khaleel Ahmed trapped Nizakat lbw for 92 off 115 balls. Though Hong Kong lost by only 26 runs, the innings remains one of the most memorable in their cricketing history.
9. Junaid Siddique – 97 vs Pakistan (2010):
Facing a mountain of 386 in 2010, Junaid Siddique gave Bangladesh faint hope with a gritty innings. Along with Imrul Kayes, he added stability but his knock ended at 97 off 114 balls when a slower ball from Shoaib Akhtar held up, resulting in a simple return catch. Junaid Siddique missed a century by just three runs but it was one of his finest performances for Bangladesh.
10. Saeed Anwar – 90 vs Bangladesh (1997):
In 1997, Pakistan’s legendary opener Saeed Anwar looked in sublime touch against Bangladesh. He played with elegance and timing but at 90 off 94 balls, he was caught by Habibul Bashar off Enamul Haque. Pakistan still won comfortably, yet Saeed Anwar’s dismissal showed how even great players aren’t immune to the nerves of the 90s.
The Asia Cup has produced some unforgettable centuries but these near-misses remain just as memorable. From Mushfiqur Rahim’s 99 to Kusal Mendis’ twin 90s, each story reflects the emotional rollercoaster of cricket.
Which one of these is your most loved innings?
