Asia Cup is the 2nd World Cup for all the Asian teams. Generally, the Asian Cricket Council conducts the tournament in any of the countries of Asia every two years. The format of this majestic event in each edition is decided based on the ICC tournament which takes place that year. So far, 15 seasons of the Asia Cup have been played successfully and the 16th edition is about to be started in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in August 2023.
Notably, the rich history of this huge competition has spectated top-class batters like Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Inzamam Ul Haq, etc to bring glory to their nation on the field. So let us put you through the bowlers with the most wickets in Asia Cup ODI.
Muttiah Muralitharan
The greatest ever spinner of all time, Mutthiah Muralitahran conquers the chart of most wickets in Asia Cup (ODI) history. From 1990 to 2010, Muralitharan bagged 30 wickets in 24 matches he played, averaging a decent 28.83 and striking at 46.06. He recorded his best bowling figure of 5/31 against Bangladesh in the 2008 Asia Cup semi-final. The spin wizard from Kandy was a part of 1997, 2004, and 2008 Asia Cup-winning Lankan team.
Lasith Malinga
One of the pillars of Sri Lankan bowling in the 20th century, Lasith “Slinga” Malinga follows his fellow teammate Muralitharan in the 2nd place in getting the most wickets in Asia Cup (ODI) with 29 scalps in 14 games. Malinga represented his country 6 times in the event in his long career of 14 years (2004-2018). He was the pick of the bowlers in the 2010 and 2014 Asia Cup, taking 9 wickets and 11 wickets respectively, while his 11 wickets in 4 matches in the 2014 Asia Cup were significant for Srilanka’s 3rd title victory. The “King of Yorkers” also bagged 3 fifers, which is the highest by any bowler in the tournament.
Ajantha Mendis
The 3rd position on the elite list of most wickets in the Asia Cup (ODI) goes to the first-ever Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis. With his weird rhythmic bowling action, the ace snared 26 wickets in mere 8 games at an incredible bowing average of 10.42, while his strike rate remained fancy at 15.69. On the occasion of his first Asia Cup in 2008, Mendis bamboozled everyone with his leg spin, top spin, and especially carrom ball and steered Srilanka to their 4th title by being the highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 5 matches. He played an important role in Sri Lanka’s successful Asia Cup campaign in 2014 too, grabbing 9 wickets in 3 games. Mendis destroyed the commendable Indian batting lineup with his supreme bowling of 6/13 in Karachi in 2008, the best bowling figure by a player in the history of the event.
Saeed Ajmal
One of the top three spinners to play for Pakistan, Saeed Ajmal features in the 4th spot on the tally of most wickets in the Asia Cup. Having played 12 games between 2008 to 2014, the spin doctor claimed 25 wickets at an impressive average of 19.39. Variations were his key to getting wickets, no one could ever imagine which ball was Doosra and which one was off-spin, in between batsmen would lose their wickets. The Faisalabad bowler won the Asia Cup in 2012 with Pakistan.
Among current cricketers, Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja and Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan have the most wickets in Asia Cup ODI, with 19 wickets each to their names.
Top 10 Bowlers With Most Wickets In Asia Cup ODI
| Player | Mat | Inn | WKTS | AVG | SR | Best | 4-WKTS | Fifers |
| M Muralitharan (SL) | 24 | 24 | 30 | 28.83 | 46.06 | 5/31 | 1 | 1 |
| L Mainga (SL) | 14 | 14 | 29 | 20.55 | 26.51 | 5/34 | 1 | 3 |
| A Mendis (SL) | 08 | 08 | 26 | 10.42 | 15.69 | 6/13 | 2 | 2 |
| S Ajmal (PAK) | 12 | 12 | 25 | 19.39 | 27.60 | 3/26 | – | – |
| C Vaas (SL) | 19 | 19 | 23 | 27.78 | 39.73 | 3/30 | – | – |
| I Pathan (IND) | 12 | 12 | 22 | 27.50 | 29.77 | 4/32 | 1 | – |
| S Jayasuriya (SL) | 25 | 21 | 22 | 30.31 | 40.59 | 4/49 | 1 | – |
| A Razzaq (PAK) | 18 | 18 | 22 | 36.18 | 46.45 | 3/17 | – | – |
| R Jadeja (IND) | 14 | 14 | 19 | 26.57 | 36.68 | 4/29 | 2 | – |
| S Al Hasan (BAN) | 13 | 13 | 19 | 32.72 | 40.31 | 4/42 | 1 | – |
| M Mortaza (BAN) | 19 | 19 | 18 | 48.22 | 50.83 | 2/25 | – | – |
| A Qadir (PAK) | 08 | 08 | 17 | 14.76 | 24.47 | 3/15 | – | – |
| S Tendulkar (IND) | 23 | 15 | 17 | 21.41 | 26.94 | 3/21 | – | – |
| W Akram (PAK) | 12 | 12 | 16 | 18.56 | 34.56 | 4/19 | 1 | – |
Muttiah Muralitharan took the most wickets in Asia Cup ODI (30).
Irfan Pathan bagged the most wickets in Asia Cup ODI (22).
Ravindra Jadeja and Shakib Al Hasan have the most wickets in the Asia Cup among active players (19).
Also check out Most Runs in Asia Cup ODI cricket history.
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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