The Asia Cup has always been one of the most celebrated cricket tournaments, bringing together the biggest cricketing nations from the continent. Since its inception in 1984, the competition has been a stage for not only thrilling batting performances but also world-class bowling spells. From fiery fast bowlers dismantling batting lineups to crafty spinners weaving their magic on subcontinental pitches, bowlers have had a defining role in shaping the outcomes of many memorable matches.
When we talk about the most wickets in Asia Cup history, the discussion naturally shifts toward the legends who dominated both ODI and T20 formats. Bowlers like Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Rashid Khan have made their mark, while modern stars like Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Haris Rauf are continuing the tradition.
This blog provides a detailed breakdown of bowlers with the most wickets in Asia Cup across ODIs and T20Is, highlighting their achievements, match-winning spells, and contributions to their respective teams.
Most Wickets in Asia Cup History (Overall: ODI & T20I)
The following list combines both ODI and T20 Asia Cups to showcase bowlers who have left the biggest impact on the tournament.
|
Player |
Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | 5W |
| Lasith Malinga (SL) | 15 | 15 | 33 | 5/34 |
1 |
|
Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) |
24 | 24 | 30 | 5/31 | 1 |
| Ravindra Jadeja (IND) |
26 |
24 | 29 | 4/29 |
– |
|
Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) |
25 | 25 | 28 | 4/42 | – |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 8 | 8 | 26 | 6/13 |
1 |
|
Kuldeep Yadav (IND) |
13 | 12 | 26 | 6/25 | 1 |
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 18 | 18 | 26 | 3/22 |
– |
|
Saeed Ajmal (PAK) |
12 | 12 | 25 | 3/26 | – |
| Chaminda Vaas (SL) | 19 | 19 | 23 | 3/30 |
– |
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 33 Wickets
Known as the “Slinga Malinga,” he tops the Asia Cup charts with 33 wickets. His toe-crushing yorkers and deadly slower balls made him the ultimate match-winner. Malinga holds multiple five-wicket hauls, including his 5/34 against Pakistan, which turned the game single-handedly.
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 30 Wickets
Murali’s off-spin baffled generations of batters, and he remains the highest ODI wicket-taker in the Asia Cup. His 5/31 against Bangladesh is among the tournament’s best spells, proving his dominance in subcontinental conditions.
Ravindra Jadeja (India) – 29 Wickets
The Indian all-rounder’s left-arm spin has been consistent and economical. Jadeja often provides breakthroughs in the middle overs, with his best of 4/29 showcasing his ability to choke runs while striking regularly.
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 28 Wickets
One of the best all-rounders in world cricket, Shakib has been Bangladesh’s backbone in every Asia Cup. His 4/42 against Pakistan remains his standout spell, and his consistency across formats highlights his importance.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 26 Wickets
Despite playing only 8 matches, Mendis terrorized batters with his “mystery spin.” His 6/13 against India in the 2008 final is still the greatest bowling performance in Asia Cup history.
Key Highlights
- Lasith Malinga leads the charts with 33 wickets, famous for his deadly yorkers and match-turning spells.
- Muralitharan, one of the greatest spinners in cricket history, claimed 30 wickets with his magical off-spin.
- Ravindra Jadeja and Shakib Al Hasan represent the modern era, showcasing the importance of spin all-rounders.
- Ajantha Mendis’s mysterious spin in the 2008 Asia Cup remains unforgettable, while Rashid Khan is the face of Afghanistan cricket in Asia.
Most Wickets in ODI Asia Cup History
ODIs have been the backbone of the Asia Cup, played in traditional 50-over format until the T20 editions were introduced. Let’s look at the leading wicket-takers in ODI Asia Cup tournaments.
|
Player |
Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | 5W |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 24 | 24 | 30 | 5/31 |
1 |
|
Lasith Malinga (SL) |
14 | 14 | 29 | 5/34 | 1 |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 8 | 8 | 26 | 6/13 |
1 |
|
Saeed Ajmal (PAK) |
12 | 12 | 25 | 3/26 | – |
| Ravindra Jadeja (IND) | 20 | 18 | 25 | 4/29 |
– |
|
Chaminda Vaas (SL) |
19 | 19 | 23 | 3/30 | – |
| Irfan Pathan (IND) | 12 | 12 | 22 | 4/32 |
– |
|
Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) |
25 | 22 | 22 | 4/49 | – |
| Abdur Razzak (BAN) | 18 | 17 | 22 | 3/17 |
– |
|
Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) |
18 | 18 | 22 | 4/42 |
– |
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 30 Wickets
Murali remains untouchable in ODI Asia Cups. His spin variations, guile, and relentless accuracy made him the nightmare of every batting lineup. He always thrived on turning tracks in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 29 Wickets
Malinga’s pace, unique slinging action, and mastery of yorkers made him Sri Lanka’s spearhead. His five-wicket hauls in crunch games ensured he was always the go-to man in pressure situations.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 26 Wickets
The Asia Cup 2008 belonged to Mendis. His unplayable carrom balls and variations left Indian batters clueless, leading to a record-breaking 6/13 in the final. Even though his career was short-lived, his Asia Cup impact remains unmatched.
Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) – 25 Wickets
Ajmal’s doosra was his biggest weapon, and he often outfoxed top batters in Asia Cup ODIs. His ability to bowl in the middle overs and at the death gave Pakistan a huge advantage.
Ravindra Jadeja (India) – 25 Wickets
Jadeja’s ODI numbers prove his value as a bowler who keeps things tight and breaks partnerships. While not as flashy as Mendis or Malinga, his accuracy has been India’s silent weapon.
Legends of ODI Asia Cup
- Muttiah Muralitharan: With 30 wickets, Murali remains the highest wicket-taker in ODIs, using his variations and unmatched spin control. His 5/31 remains iconic.
- Lasith Malinga: Second on the list with 29 wickets, Malinga’s yorkers often turned games single-handedly. His 5/34 against Pakistan is remembered as one of the greatest Asia Cup spells.
- Ajantha Mendis: His mystery spin in the 2008 Asia Cup final destroyed India (6/13), announcing him to the cricketing world.
- Pakistani greats like Saeed Ajmal dominated with doosras, while Irfan Pathan’s swing bowling made him India’s reliable strike bowler.
- Bangladesh’s stars, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, proved the nation’s rising bowling depth.
- Interestingly, Sanath Jayasuriya, known as a batting legend, also claimed 22 wickets with his underrated left-arm spin.
ODI Asia Cup has always been spinner-friendly, with subcontinental tracks offering grip and turn, allowing spinners to dominate.
Most Wickets in T20 Asia Cup History
The Asia Cup embraced the T20 format in 2016, aligning with the rise of T20 cricket globally. Unlike ODIs, the T20 format gives fast bowlers more chances with variations, while spinners with tight lines also flourish.
|
Player |
Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | 5W |
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 11 | 11 | 14 | 3/22 |
– |
|
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (IND) |
6 | 6 | 13 | 5/4 | 1 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 9 | 9 | 12 | 3/21 |
– |
|
Amjad Javed (UAE) |
7 | 7 | 12 | 3/25 | – |
| Hardik Pandya (IND) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 3/8 |
– |
|
Mohammad Naveed (UAE) |
7 | 7 | 11 | 3/14 | – |
| Al-Amin Hossain (BAN) | 5 | 5 | 10 | 3/25 |
– |
|
Haris Rauf (PAK) |
9 | 9 | 10 | 3/29 | – |
| Jasprit Bumrah (IND) | 7 | 7 | 9 | 2/27 |
– |
|
Junaid Siddique (UAE) |
3 | 3 | 9 | 4/18 |
– |
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 14 Wickets
Afghanistan’s biggest cricketing star, Rashid Khan, has dominated T20 Asia Cups with his leg-spin. Known for his quick arm speed and deadly googly, Rashid’s ability to strike regularly makes him the most feared bowler in the format.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) – 13 Wickets
Bhuvi produced one of the finest T20 Asia Cup spells with 5/4 against Afghanistan in 2022. His swing in the powerplay and variations at the death make him India’s most successful T20 Asia Cup bowler.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 12 Wickets
Hasaranga’s attacking spin bowling has been central to Sri Lanka’s T20 Asia Cup campaigns. His 3/21 against Pakistan was crucial in 2022, proving his match-winning credentials.
Amjad Javed (UAE) – 12 Wickets
A surprising name in the top five, Amjad Javed was the star of UAE’s T20 Asia Cup campaigns. His medium-pace bowling with clever variations helped him trouble big teams, proving associate nations could compete.
Hardik Pandya (India) – 12 Wickets
Better known for his batting, Hardik Pandya has also delivered with the ball in T20 Asia Cups. His 3/8 against Pakistan remains a standout performance, highlighting his value as a true all-rounder.
Key Performers in T20 Asia Cup
- Rashid Khan: Afghanistan’s superstar, Rashid’s economy and wicket-taking ability make him the most consistent bowler in T20 Asia Cups.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: His 5/4 against Afghanistan is one of the best T20 Asia Cup spells ever recorded.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: The Sri Lankan leg-spinner has been a game-changer with his attacking spin bowling.
- Hardik Pandya: Not just a batting all-rounder, Pandya’s pace and variations have earned him 12 wickets.
- UAE bowlers like Amjad Javed, Mohammad Naveed, and Junaid Siddique made a big impression, showing that associate teams can produce match-winning bowlers.
- Haris Rauf and Jasprit Bumrah: Two of the fastest pacers in Asia, both have provided breakthroughs with pace and aggression.
ODI vs T20 Asia Cup Bowling Legends – A Comparative Look
Bowling strategies vary drastically between ODIs and T20s.
- ODIs: Spinners dominate, with Murali, Mendis, and Jadeja leading the way. Long spells and patience allow spinners to choke runs and pick wickets.
- T20s: Pace and variations shine. Bowlers like Bhuvneshwar, Haris Rauf, and Pandya use yorkers, slower balls, and short bursts to get results.
- All-format heroes: Players like Shakib Al Hasan, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rashid Khan have proven effective in both formats, making them modern legends.
- Sri Lanka’s dominance: From Muralitharan to Hasaranga, Sri Lanka has consistently produced world-class bowlers who thrive in Asia Cup conditions.
Iconic Bowling Performances in Asia Cup History
- Ajantha Mendis’ 6/13 vs India (2008 final): Perhaps the most unforgettable bowling performance in Asia Cup history.
- Lasith Malinga’s multiple 5-wicket hauls: Malinga was a match-winner every time he bowled in the tournament.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/4: A rare 5-wicket haul in T20 internationals, showing his swing mastery.
- Rashid Khan’s consistency: Always economical and dangerous, Rashid has been Afghanistan’s biggest weapon.
- Hardik Pandya’s 3/8: Showed his capability to win matches with the ball in T20 format.
These spells underline why bowlers remain as crucial as batsmen in Asia Cup success stories.
Conclusion
The Asia Cup has seen the rise of many bowling heroes across formats. From Lasith Malinga’s fiery yorkers to Muralitharan’s magic spin, from Rashid Khan’s consistency to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s deadly swing, the tournament has celebrated some of the finest bowlers in world cricket.
While Sri Lanka leads in producing iconic Asia Cup wicket-takers, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have also seen their stars shine. With every new edition, emerging talents are eager to make their mark, and fans can expect more thrilling spells in the coming years.
As cricket evolves, the records for most wickets in Asia Cup history will be challenged, but the legacy of these legends will continue to inspire generations.
FAQs on Most Wickets in Asia Cup
Who has the most wickets in Asia Cup history?
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) tops the list with 33 wickets across ODI and T20 Asia Cups.
Who has the best bowling figures in Asia Cup history?
Ajantha Mendis’ 6/13 against India in the 2008 Asia Cup final is the best bowling performance.
Which Indian bowler has the most wickets in Asia Cup?
Ravindra Jadeja leads among Indians with 29 wickets, followed closely by Kuldeep Yadav.
Has any bowler taken a 5-wicket haul in T20 Asia Cup?
Yes, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 5/4 against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, the best T20 spell in the tournament.
Who is the best spinner in Asia Cup history?
Muttiah Muralitharan is considered the greatest spinner in Asia Cup history with 30 ODI wickets.
Can current players break these records?
Yes, players like Rashid Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, and Wanindu Hasaranga are active and could surpass existing records in future editions.
Related Blog: Most Runs in Asia Cup
