The Asia Cup has always been a stage where the finest batters from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other Asian nations showcase their talent. Over the years, the tournament has seen some remarkable batting performances across both ODI and T20 formats.
Fans often wonder who has the most runs in Asia Cup history (all formats), and the answer lies in a list of legends who consistently delivered for their teams. From Sanath Jayasuriya’s explosive knocks to Virat Kohli’s match-winning innings, the run charts reflect not just numbers but unforgettable cricketing memories. In this blog, we break down the top run scorers of the Asia Cup across ODI and T20 formats.
Who Has the Most Runs in Asia Cup History?
When we talk about the most runs in Asia Cup history, Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya tops the list with 1,220 runs. He is followed by legends like Kumar Sangakkara (1,075 runs), Mahela Jayawardene (1,038 runs), India’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (970+ runs each), and Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (786 runs). These players have been the backbone of their teams, delivering consistent match-winning performances.
Who Has the Most Runs in Asia Cup History?
When we talk about the most runs in Asia Cup history, Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya tops the list with 1,220 runs. He is followed by legends like Kumar Sangakkara (1,075 runs), Mahela Jayawardene (1,038 runs), India’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (970+ runs each), and Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (786 runs). These players have been the backbone of their teams, delivering consistent match-winning performances.
Player | Country | Total Runs | Format Split (ODI / T20I) |
Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 1220 | 1220 / 0 |
Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 1075 | 1075 / 0 |
Sachin Tendulkar | India | 971 | 971 / 0 |
Rohit Sharma | India | 1210 | 939 / 271 |
Mushfiqur Rahim | Bangladesh | 830 | 830 / 0 |
Shoaib Malik | Pakistan | 786 | 786 / 0 |
Virat Kohli | India | 1171 | 742 / 429 |
Arjuna Ranatunga | Sri Lanka | 741 | 741 / 0 |
Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 674 | 674 / 0 |
MS Dhoni | India | 648 | 648 / 0 |
Aravinda de Silva | Sri Lanka | 645 | 645 / 0 |
Marvan Atapattu | Sri Lanka | 642 | 642 / 0 |
Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 591 | 591 / 0 |
Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 575 | 575 / 0 |
Gautam Gambhir | India | 573 | 573 / 0 |
Sanath Jayasuriya
Attribute | Details |
Player | Sanath Jayasuriya |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Matches | 25 |
Runs | 1,220 |
Highest Score | 130 |
Average | 48.07 |
100s | 6 |
50s | 3 |
Sanath Jayasuriya is a legendary Sri Lankan batsman who tops the list of players with the most runs in Asia Cup history all format. Known for his explosive batting and fearless style, Jayasuriya scored 1,220 runs in the tournament, setting a record that few can match. His innings not only entertained fans but also played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s successes over the years.
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Kumar Sangakkara
Attribute | Details |
Player | Kumar Sangakkara |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Total Runs | 1,075 |
Format Split | 1,075 ODI / 0 T20I |
Kumar Sangakkara, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest batsmen, is second on the list of top run-scorers in Asia Cup history. Renowned for his elegant stroke play and consistency, Sangakkara scored 1,152 runs across all editions of the tournament. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed made him a vital contributor to Sri Lanka’s successes in Asia Cup cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar
Attribute | Details |
Player | Sachin Tendulkar |
Country | India |
Total Runs | 971 |
Format Split | 971 ODI / 0 T20I |
Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen, features prominently among players with the most runs in Asia Cup history. Scoring 971 runs across all editions he played, Tendulkar’s impeccable technique and consistency helped India secure crucial victories. His ability to anchor innings and perform under pressure makes him a standout figure in the tournament’s rich history.
Rohit Sharma
Attribute | Details |
Player | Rohit Sharma |
Country | India |
Total Runs | 1,210 |
Format Split | 939 ODI / 271 T20I |
Rohit Sharma is one of India’s most destructive batsmen and ranks high among players with the most runs in Asia Cup history. Accumulating 1,210 runs across all formats, including 939 in ODIs and 271 in T20Is, Rohit’s ability to score big and accelerate at crucial moments has made him a key player for India in the tournament. His innings often turn matches in India’s favor, showcasing his match-winning capabilities.
Mushfiqur Rahim
Attribute | Details |
Player | Mushfiqur Rahim |
Country | Bangladesh |
Total Runs | 830 |
Format Split | 830 ODI / 0 T20I |
Mushfiqur Rahim is a key batsman for Bangladesh and stands out among players with the most runs in Asia Cup history. Scoring 830 runs exclusively in ODIs, Mushfiqur’s ability to play long innings and stabilize the batting order has been vital for Bangladesh’s performances in the tournament.
Shoaib Malik in Asia Cup
Attribute | Details |
Player | Shoaib Malik |
Country | Pakistan |
Total Runs | 786 |
Format Split | 786 ODI / 0 T20I |
Shoaib Malik, a veteran Pakistani batsman, ranks among players with the most runs in Asia Cup history all format. Scoring 786 runs entirely in ODIs, Malik’s experience and ability to anchor innings have made him a consistent performer for Pakistan over the years, contributing significantly to the team’s successes in the tournament.
Virat Kohli in Asia Cup (All Formats)
Attribute | Details |
Player | Virat Kohli |
Country | India |
Total Runs | 1,171 |
Format Split | 742 ODI / 429 T20I |
Virat Kohli is one of India’s most prolific batsmen and ranks high among players with the most runs in Asia Cup history all format. Accumulating 1,171 runs, including 742 in ODIs and 429 in T20Is, Kohli’s consistency and ability to perform under pressure have made him a key player for India. His elegant stroke play and match-winning innings often shift the momentum in India’s favor.
Top 20 Players with Most Runs in Asia Cup (ODI Format)
Player | Span | Mat | Runs | HS |
ST Jayasuriya (SL) | 1990-2008 | 25 | 1220 | 130 |
KC Sangakkara (SL) | 2004-2014 | 24 | 1075 | 121 |
SR Tendulkar (IND) | 1990-2012 | 23 | 971 | 114 |
RG Sharma (IND) | 2008-2023 | 28 | 939 | 111* |
Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN) | 2008-2023 | 25 | 830 | 144 |
Shoaib Malik (PAK) | 2000-2018 | 17 | 786 | 143 |
V Kohli (IND) | 2010-2023 | 16 | 742 | 183 |
A Ranatunga (SL) | 1984-1997 | 19 | 741 | 131* |
DPMD Jayawardene (SL) | 2000-2014 | 28 | 674 | 78 |
MS Dhoni (IND) | 2008-2018 | 19 | 648 | 109* |
PA de Silva (SL) | 1984-2000 | 24 | 645 | 96* |
MS Atapattu (SL) | 1997-2004 | 13 | 642 | 100 |
Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) | 1995-2004 | 15 | 591 | 88 |
Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 2010-2023 | 18 | 575 | 80 |
G Gambhir (IND) | 2008-2012 | 13 | 573 | 100 |
SK Raina (IND) | 2008-2012 | 13 | 547 | 116* |
Younis Khan (PAK) | 2004-2012 | 14 | 546 | 144 |
S Dhawan (IND) | 2014-2018 | 9 | 534 | 127 |
Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 1997-2014 | 23 | 532 | 124 |
NS Sidhu (IND) | 1988-1997 | 14 | 530 | 104* |
Tamim Iqbal (BAN) | 2008-2018 | 13 | 519 | 70 |
SC Ganguly (IND) | 1997-2004 | 13 | 518 | 135* |
Most Runs in Men’s T20 Asia Cup
Player | Span | Mat | Runs | HS |
V Kohli (IND) | 2016-2022 | 10 | 429 | 122* |
P Nissanka (SL) | 2022-2025 | 9 | 297 | 68 |
Babar Hayat (HKG) | 2016-2025 | 8 | 292 | 122 |
Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) | 2022-2022 | 6 | 281 | 78* |
RG Sharma (IND) | 2016-2022 | 9 | 271 | 83 |
BKG Mendis (SL) | 2022-2025 | 9 | 243 | 74* |
Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) | 2022-2025 | 8 | 226 | 64* |
R Gurbaz (AFG) | 2022-2025 | 8 | 209 | 84 |
SA Yadav (IND) | 2022-2025 | 7 | 193 | 68* |
PBB Rajapaksa (SL) | 2022-2022 | 6 | 191 | 71* |
Fakhar Zaman (PAK) | 2022-2025 | 9 | 186 | 53 |
Sabbir Rahman (BAN) | 2016-2022 | 6 | 181 | 80 |
N Zadran (AFG) | 2016-2022 | 8 | 176 | 60* |
M Usman (UAE) | 2016-2016 | 7 | 176 | 46 |
Mahmudullah (BAN) | 2016-2022 | 7 | 173 | 36* |
M Nabi (AFG) | 2016-2025 | 11 | 159 | 60 |
Shaiman Anwar (UAE) | 2016-2016 | 7 | 151 | 46 |
LD Chandimal (SL) | 2016-2016 | 4 | 149 | 58 |
Nizakat Khan (HKG) | 2016-2025 | 8 | 141 | 52* |
MD Shanaka (SL) | 2016-2025 | 13 | 138 | 45 |
KL Rahul (IND) | 2022-2022 | 5 | 132 | 62 |
Final Words
The Asia Cup has produced some of the most memorable batting performances in cricket history, with legends like Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli dominating the scoreboard. These players, along with rising stars such as Rohit Sharma, Babar Hayat, and Mohammad Rizwan, have consistently delivered match-winning innings, making the tournament a showcase of skill, resilience, and flair.
The records and statistics of the most runs in Asia Cup history all format highlight the players who have left an indelible mark on Asia’s premier cricket competition, inspiring future generations to chase greatness on the field.
FAQs
Q1. Who has scored the most runs in Asia Cup history?
A: Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka tops the list with 1,220 runs across all formats.
Q2. Who are the top run-scorers in Asia Cup ODIs?
A: Besides Jayasuriya, notable ODI run-scorers include Kumar Sangakkara, Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and Mushfiqur Rahim.
Q3. Which current players are among the highest run-scorers in Asia Cup T20s?
A: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Babar Hayat, and Mohammad Rizwan are leading T20 run-scorers in Asia Cup history.
Q4. Has any player scored centuries in both ODI and T20 Asia Cup matches?
A: Yes, players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have scored big innings across both formats in Asia Cup cricket.
Q5. What makes a player successful in accumulating the most runs in Asia Cup?
A: Consistency, ability to handle pressure, adaptability to conditions, and playing long, impactful innings are key factors.