Highest Wicket Takers in Asia Cup
The list of highest wicket takers in Asia Cup history includes some of the greatest fast bowlers and spinners Asian cricket has produced. Through October 2026, India’s Kuldeep Yadav holds the overall record across ODI and T20I Asia Cups with 36 wickets from 18 matches. He moved past former record-holder Lasith Malinga during the 2025 Asia Cup, while Malinga is second with 33 wickets. Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 30 wickets, remains the highest wicket-taker in ODI Asia Cup history. Ajantha Mendis also owns one of the tournament’s greatest bowling records, with 17 wickets in the 2008 edition and remarkable figures of 6/13 in the final.
Highest Wicket Takers in Asia Cup History
The Asia Cup has been played in both ODI and T20I formats, so the overall leaderboard combines wickets taken in both versions of the competition. This is important when comparing different generations. Muralitharan, Mendis and Saeed Ajmal built their records almost entirely in ODI cricket, while modern players such as Kuldeep Yadav have had opportunities in both formats.
Kuldeep’s outstanding 2025 campaign changed the top of the all-time standings. He entered that tournament with 19 ODI Asia Cup wickets and added 17 wickets in the T20I edition, taking his combined total to 36. Lasith Malinga sits behind him with 33 wickets, followed by Muralitharan with 30. Ravindra Jadeja and Shakib Al Hasan complete the current top five.
| Bowler | Wickets | Matches | Average | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 36 | 18 | 13.83 | 5/25 |
| Lasith Malinga | 33 | 15 | 18.85 | 5/34 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 30 | 24 | 28.83 | 5/31 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 29 | 26 | 26.31 | 4/29 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 28 | 25 | 34.46 | 4/42 |
| Ajantha Mendis | 26 | 8 | 10.42 | 6/13 |
| Haris Rauf | 26 | 15 | 16.85 | 4/19 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 26 | 18 | 21.23 | 4/43 |
| Rashid Khan | 26 | 18 | 22.15 | 3/22 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 25 | 18 | 17.12 | 3/37 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 25 | 12 | 19.40 | 3/26 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 24 | 15 | 21.92 | 4/35 |
| Chaminda Vaas | 23 | 19 | 27.78 | 3/30 |
Kuldeep Yadav – 36 Wickets
Kuldeep Yadav became the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history during India’s successful 2025 campaign. The left-arm wrist-spinner had already taken 19 wickets in the ODI editions of 2018 and 2023 before producing one of the best bowling campaigns the competition has seen in 2025.
Kuldeep collected 17 wickets from seven matches in the 2025 T20I Asia Cup. His best performance was 4/7, and he also took 4/30 against Pakistan in the final. That final performance lifted his career Asia Cup total to 36 wickets and moved him above Lasith Malinga on the combined ODI and T20I leaderboard.
Lasith Malinga – 33 Wickets
Lasith Malinga was the overall Asia Cup wicket record-holder before Kuldeep passed him in 2025. The Sri Lankan fast bowler took 33 wickets from 15 matches across the two formats.
Malinga was particularly dangerous in ODI Asia Cups, where he claimed 29 wickets from only 14 matches. His unusual sling action, late pace and yorkers made him difficult to attack. He also recorded three ODI Asia Cup five-wicket hauls, including 5/34 against Pakistan in 2010.
Muttiah Muralitharan – 30 Wickets
Muttiah Muralitharan remains the highest wicket-taker in ODI Asia Cup history. The legendary Sri Lankan off-spinner took 30 wickets in 24 matches between 1995 and 2010.
His best Asia Cup figures were 5/31 against Bangladesh in Karachi during the 2008 edition. Although Kuldeep and Malinga now sit above him on the combined-format list, Muralitharan’s 30 wickets are still the benchmark for the 50-over Asia Cup.
Ravindra Jadeja – 29 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja has taken 29 Asia Cup wickets across ODI and T20I cricket. His long career in the tournament has allowed him to contribute in several editions, using accuracy, quick left-arm spin and changes of pace to control the middle overs.
Jadeja took 25 of his wickets in ODI Asia Cups. His best ODI Asia Cup figures are 4/29, and his ability to combine economical bowling with regular breakthroughs has made him one of India’s most productive bowlers in the competition.
Shakib Al Hasan – 28 Wickets
Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh’s leading name among the highest wicket takers in Asia Cup history. He has 28 wickets across the ODI and T20I versions of the tournament.
Shakib took 22 wickets in ODI Asia Cups and added six in T20I editions. His best ODI Asia Cup performance was 4/42. His longevity is particularly notable because his Asia Cup appearances stretched across several tournament cycles and both formats.
Ajantha Mendis – 26 Wickets
Few Asia Cup bowlers have been as dominant in such a short period as Ajantha Mendis. The Sri Lankan mystery spinner took 26 wickets from only eight ODI Asia Cup matches at an average of 10.42.
His greatest tournament came in 2008. Mendis finished with 17 wickets in five matches, including 6/13 against India in the final. That performance helped Sri Lanka bowl India out for 173 while defending 273 and remains the best bowling figures in an ODI Asia Cup match.
Best Individual Bowling Spells in Asia Cup
Ajantha Mendis holds the ODI record with his extraordinary 6/13 against India in the 2008 final. Mohammed Siraj became only the second bowler to take six wickets in an ODI Asia Cup innings when he destroyed Sri Lanka with 6/21 in the 2023 final.
The T20I record belongs to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He took 5/4 against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup, the best bowling figures in a T20I Asia Cup match.
| Bowler | Figures | Edition/Year | vs Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajantha Mendis | 6/13 | 2008 ODI | India |
| Mohammed Siraj | 6/21 | 2023 ODI | Sri Lanka |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 5/4 | 2022 T20I | Afghanistan |
| Aaqib Javed | 5/19 | 1995 ODI | India |
| Arshad Ayub | 5/21 | 1988 ODI | Pakistan |
| Ajantha Mendis | 5/22 | 2008 ODI | UAE |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 5/25 | 2023 ODI | Pakistan |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 5/31 | 2008 ODI | Bangladesh |
| Lasith Malinga | 5/34 | 2010 ODI | Pakistan |
| Dunith Wellalage | 5/40 | 2023 ODI | India |
Ajantha Mendis’ 6/13 remains particularly memorable because it came in an Asia Cup final. India had made a fast start to its chase, but Mendis dismissed Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan and RP Singh as Sri Lanka won the title.
Siraj’s 6/21 came in another final. His new-ball spell reduced Sri Lanka to 50 all out in Colombo in 2023. Siraj took four wickets in a single over and reached his five-wicket haul in only 16 balls.
Kuldeep’s 5/25 against Pakistan in the same edition was another major performance. India had posted 356/2 before Kuldeep ran through Pakistan’s batting order as they were dismissed for 128.
Most Wickets in a Single Asia Cup Edition
The record for most wickets in a single Asia Cup edition is shared by Ajantha Mendis and Kuldeep Yadav. Mendis took 17 wickets for Sri Lanka in the 2008 ODI Asia Cup, while Kuldeep matched the record with 17 wickets for India in the 2025 T20I edition.
Mendis reached 17 wickets in only five matches. His tournament included two five-wicket hauls and the famous 6/13 against India in the final. His bowling average for the tournament was only 8.52.
Kuldeep took his 17 wickets across seven matches in 2025. His best figures were 4/7, and he finished the competition with another four-wicket performance against Pakistan in the final.
| Bowler | Wickets | Matches | Edition | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajantha Mendis | 17 | 5 | 2008 ODI | 6/13 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 17 | 7 | 2025 T20I | 4/7 |
| Irfan Pathan | 14 | 6 | 2004 ODI | 3/28 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 12 | 6 | 2004 ODI | 3/21 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 11 | 5 | 2008 ODI | 5/31 |
| Lasith Malinga | 11 | 4 | 2014 ODI | 5/52 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 11 | 5 | 2014 ODI | 3/26 |
| Al-Amin Hossain | 11 | 5 | 2016 T20I | 3/25 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 11 | 5 | 2022 T20I | 5/4 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 11 | 6 | 2023 ODI | 4/32 |
Mendis and Kuldeep reached the same 17-wicket mark in very different formats. Mendis had as many as 10 overs available per innings in the ODI competition, while Kuldeep had a maximum of four overs per innings in the 2025 T20I tournament.
Highest Wicket Takers in Asia Cup 2023
The 2023 Asia Cup returned to the ODI format and produced several outstanding bowling performances. Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana finished as the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets from six matches.
Three bowlers finished immediately behind him with 10 wickets. Mohammed Siraj claimed 10 wickets and produced his tournament-defining 6/21 in the final. Dunith Wellalage also collected 10 wickets, highlighted by 5/40 against India, while Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi finished with 10 wickets.
Kuldeep Yadav took nine wickets in five matches for India. Five of those wickets came against Pakistan in the Super Four stage, where his 5/25 helped India complete a 228-run victory.
| Bowler | Wickets | Matches | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matheesha Pathirana | 11 | 6 | 4/32 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 10 | 5 | 6/21 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 10 | 6 | 5/40 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 5 | 4/35 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 9 | 5 | 5/25 |
The tournament ended with one of the most one-sided finals in Asia Cup history. Siraj’s six wickets helped dismiss Sri Lanka for only 50 before India completed the chase without losing a wicket.
Highest Wicket Takers in Asia Cup 2025
The 2025 Asia Cup was played in the T20I format, and Kuldeep Yadav dominated the bowling standings. He finished with 17 wickets in seven matches at an average of 9.29, six wickets more than any bowler had managed in the previous T20I Asia Cup editions.
Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets. Junaid Siddique of the UAE, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh and Haris Rauf of Pakistan each finished with nine wickets.
| Bowler | Wickets | Matches | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuldeep Yadav | 17 | 7 | 4/7 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 7 | 3/17 |
| Junaid Siddique | 9 | 3 | 4/18 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 9 | 6 | 3/20 |
| Haris Rauf | 9 | 5 | 3/33 |
| Saim Ayub | 8 | 7 | 3/35 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 8 | 6 | 2/22 |
| Rishad Hossain | 8 | 5 | 2/18 |
| Taskin Ahmed | 8 | 4 | 3/28 |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | 7 | 6 | 2/29 |
Kuldeep’s tournament began with 4/7 and finished with 4/30 against Pakistan in the final. He took 17 wickets from just 25.1 overs across the competition. The performance moved him from 19 career Asia Cup wickets before the tournament to an all-time record of 36.
ODI vs T20I Asia Cup Wicket Records
The change between ODI and T20I formats makes Asia Cup bowling records unusual. A bowler in an ODI can bowl up to 10 overs, while a T20I bowler is limited to four. This gives ODI bowlers more deliveries to take wickets in each match, but T20 cricket can also produce frequent wickets because batters are forced to attack.
Muttiah Muralitharan leads the ODI Asia Cup standings with 30 wickets, followed by Lasith Malinga with 29 and Ajantha Mendis with 26. Kuldeep Yadav leads the T20I Asia Cup list with 17 wickets, level on T20I wickets with Haris Rauf and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Kuldeep’s ability to take wickets in both formats is the reason he now leads the combined standings. His 19 ODI wickets and 17 T20I wickets give him 36 overall.
Sri Lanka’s Dominance in Asia Cup Bowling Records
Sri Lankan bowlers have a major presence among the highest wicket takers in Asia Cup history. Malinga, Muralitharan and Mendis all appear near the top of the overall rankings, while Chaminda Vaas is another member of the leading group.
Their records cover different bowling styles. Muralitharan relied on off-spin and variation, Mendis became famous for mystery spin, Vaas used left-arm swing, and Malinga attacked with pace, slower balls and yorkers.
Sri Lanka’s influence is even clearer on the ODI-only leaderboard. Muralitharan, Malinga and Mendis occupy the first three positions, with Vaas also among the leading wicket-takers.
India’s Rise in the Bowling Records
India’s bowling records have grown rapidly during recent Asia Cups. Kuldeep Yadav is now the competition’s overall leading wicket-taker, while Ravindra Jadeja is fourth on the combined leaderboard.
India also produced two of the finest recent ODI spells. Kuldeep took 5/25 against Pakistan in 2023 before Mohammed Siraj delivered 6/21 against Sri Lanka in the final.
The 2025 tournament pushed Kuldeep even further ahead. His 17 wickets gave him the joint record for most wickets in one edition and made him the first bowler to reach 36 career Asia Cup wickets.
Conclusion
Kuldeep Yadav is the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history through October 2026, with 36 wickets from 18 matches across ODI and T20I editions. Lasith Malinga is second with 33 wickets, while Muttiah Muralitharan is third overall with 30 and continues to hold the ODI Asia Cup record.
Ajantha Mendis remains one of the tournament’s most dominant bowlers, taking 26 wickets in only eight matches and recording the all-time best ODI figures of 6/13. Mendis and Kuldeep also share the record for most wickets in a single Asia Cup edition with 17 each. From Malinga and Muralitharan to Siraj and Kuldeep, bowling has produced many of the defining performances in Asia Cup history.
FAQs
Who is the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history?
Kuldeep Yadav is the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history with 36 wickets from 18 matches across ODI and T20I editions through October 2026.
How many wickets has Kuldeep Yadav taken in the Asia Cup?
Kuldeep Yadav has taken 36 Asia Cup wickets, including 19 in ODI editions and 17 in the 2025 T20I edition.
Who has taken the most wickets in ODI Asia Cup history?
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the ODI Asia Cup record with 30 wickets from 24 matches.
How many Asia Cup wickets did Lasith Malinga take?
Lasith Malinga took 33 wickets from 15 Asia Cup matches across ODI and T20I cricket.
Who has the best bowling figures in Asia Cup history?
Ajantha Mendis holds the ODI record with 6/13 against India in the 2008 final. Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the T20I record with 5/4 against Afghanistan in 2022.
Who took the most wickets in the 2023 Asia Cup?
Matheesha Pathirana was the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 Asia Cup with 11 wickets from six matches.
Who took the most wickets in the 2025 Asia Cup?
Kuldeep Yadav finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2025 Asia Cup with 17 wickets from seven matches.
What is the record for most wickets in a single Asia Cup edition?
The record is 17 wickets. Ajantha Mendis took 17 in the 2008 ODI Asia Cup, and Kuldeep Yadav matched him in the 2025 T20I Asia Cup.
How many wickets did Ajantha Mendis take in the Asia Cup?
Ajantha Mendis took 26 wickets in only eight Asia Cup matches at an average of 10.42.
Who took 6 wickets in an Asia Cup final?
Ajantha Mendis took 6/13 against India in the 2008 final, while Mohammed Siraj took 6/21 against Sri Lanka in the 2023 final.
Which Pakistani bowler has the most Asia Cup wickets?
Haris Rauf leads Pakistan’s combined ODI and T20I Asia Cup wicket tally with 26 wickets through the 2025 edition, followed closely by Saeed Ajmal with 25 and Shaheen Afridi with 24.
How many wickets did Saeed Ajmal take in the Asia Cup?
Saeed Ajmal took 25 wickets in 12 ODI Asia Cup matches at an average of 19.40, with best figures of 3/26.
How many wickets has Shaheen Afridi taken in the Asia Cup?
Shaheen Afridi has taken 24 wickets from 15 Asia Cup matches through the 2025 edition, with best figures of 4/35.
Who has the best bowling figures in a T20I Asia Cup?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the record with 5/4 against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup.
How many wickets did Mohammed Siraj take in the 2023 Asia Cup?
Mohammed Siraj took 10 wickets in the 2023 Asia Cup, including his famous 6/21 against Sri Lanka in the final.
Who took 5 wickets against Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup?
Kuldeep Yadav took 5/25 against Pakistan in the 2023 Super Four match in Colombo.
Rivcky John
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