Most Wickets in Asia Cup History – Record Bowlers
The Asia Cup has featured some of the finest bowlers in international cricket, from Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga to Ravindra Jadeja, Shakib Al Hasan and Kuldeep Yadav. Because the tournament has been played in both ODI and T20I formats, modern all-time records combine performances from both versions. As of the end of the 2025 Asia Cup, Kuldeep Yadav holds the record for the most wickets in Asia Cup history with 36 wickets. Lasith Malinga follows with 33, while Muttiah Muralitharan remains the leading wicket-taker in ODI Asia Cup history with 30 wickets.
Most Wickets in Asia Cup History – Top 10
The following list combines wickets taken in ODI and T20I Asia Cup matches.
| Rank | Bowler | Team | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuldeep Yadav | India | 18 | 36 | 13.83 | 5/25 | 4.47 |
| 2 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 15 | 33 | 18.85 | 5/34 | 4.72 |
| 3 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 24 | 30 | 28.83 | 5/31 | 3.76 |
| 4 | Ravindra Jadeja | India | 26 | 29 | 26.31 | 4/29 | 4.52 |
| 5 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 25 | 28 | 34.46 | 4/42 | 4.95 |
| 6 | Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | 8 | 26 | 10.42 | 6/13 | 4.01 |
| 7 | Haris Rauf | Pakistan | 15 | 26 | 16.85 | 4/19 | 6.97 |
| 8 | Mustafizur Rahman | Bangladesh | 18 | 26 | 21.23 | 4/43 | 5.81 |
| 9 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 18 | 26 | 22.15 | 3/22 | 5.30 |
| 10 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 18 | 25 | 17.12 | 3/37 | 4.89 |
Kuldeep's rise to the top came after an extraordinary 2025 T20I Asia Cup, where he took 17 wickets in seven matches. Those wickets were added to the 19 he had already collected in the ODI editions of 2018 and 2023, taking his combined Asia Cup total to 36.
Kuldeep Yadav – 36 Wickets
Kuldeep Yadav is now the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history across formats. The Indian left-arm wrist-spinner has taken 36 wickets from 18 matches at an average of 13.83.
His ODI Asia Cup record already included 19 wickets from the 2018 and 2023 tournaments. In 2023, he delivered one of his finest Asia Cup performances by taking 5/25 against Pakistan in Colombo.
Kuldeep then moved to the top of the overall list during the 2025 T20I Asia Cup. He finished that tournament with 17 wickets from seven matches at an average of only 9.29 and was the leading wicket-taker by a comfortable margin. His best figures in the 2025 competition were 4/7 against the UAE.
Lasith Malinga – 33 Wickets
Lasith Malinga is second on the list with 33 wickets from only 15 Asia Cup matches. His numbers are especially impressive because he averaged under 19 runs per wicket across his Asia Cup career.
In ODI Asia Cups alone, Malinga took 29 wickets from 14 matches at an average of 20.55. His best figures were 5/34 against Pakistan in 2010.
Malinga was particularly dangerous in important matches. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2010 Asia Cup and was joint leading wicket-taker with Saeed Ajmal in 2014, taking 11 wickets.
He also produced three five-wicket hauls in Asia Cup cricket, giving him one of the best collections of major bowling performances in tournament history.
Muttiah Muralitharan – 30 Wickets
Muttiah Muralitharan remains the record holder for the most wickets in ODI Asia Cup history. The Sri Lankan off-spinner took 30 wickets from 24 matches between 1995 and 2010.
His bowling average was 28.83 and his economy rate was just 3.75 runs per over. His best Asia Cup figures came against Bangladesh in 2008, when he took 5/31.
Muralitharan played all of his Asia Cup cricket before the tournament introduced the T20I format in 2016. That makes his record different from the combined totals of modern players such as Kuldeep, Jadeja and Shakib.
For years, his 30 wickets represented the overall Asia Cup record. Even after being passed in the combined-format list, he remains No. 1 among bowlers in ODI Asia Cup history.
Ravindra Jadeja – 29 Wickets
Ravindra Jadeja has been one of India's most consistent Asia Cup bowlers. He has taken 29 wickets from 26 matches across ODI and T20I editions, placing him fourth on the combined list.
In ODI Asia Cups, Jadeja took 25 wickets at an average of 26.28 and an economy rate of 4.34. His best figures were 4/29 against Bangladesh during the 2018 Asia Cup.
Jadeja's value has often come from controlling the middle overs. His quick left-arm spin makes scoring difficult, while his accuracy regularly forces batters into risky shots.
He has also appeared in several successful Indian Asia Cup campaigns, adding important contributions with the bat and in the field.
Shakib Al Hasan – 28 Wickets
Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh's most successful bowler in the combined Asia Cup wicket rankings. He has taken 28 wickets from 25 matches.
Of those, 22 wickets came in ODI Asia Cups. His best ODI Asia Cup figures were 4/42 against Afghanistan during the 2018 competition.
Shakib's Asia Cup career is notable because he has contributed heavily with both bat and ball.
Ajantha Mendis – 26 Wickets in Only Eight Matches
Ajantha Mendis produced one of the most extraordinary bowling records in Asia Cup history. He took 26 wickets from only eight matches at an average of 10.42.
His greatest tournament came in 2008. Mendis took 17 wickets in five matches, which remains the record for the most wickets in a single ODI Asia Cup edition.
His best performance came in the final against India. Mendis ripped through the batting order with figures of 6/13, helping Sri Lanka defend 273 and win the title by 100 runs. Those figures remain the best bowling performance in an ODI Asia Cup match.
Haris Rauf – Pakistan's Modern Pace Leader
Haris Rauf has taken 26 Asia Cup wickets across ODI and T20I tournaments. His strongest ODI performance came in the 2023 Asia Cup when he took 4/19 against Bangladesh at Lahore.
Rauf's pace and ability to attack batters through the middle overs have made him an effective wicket-taking option. He added more wickets during the 2025 T20I competition, finishing that edition with nine wickets in five matches.
Mustafizur Rahman – Bangladesh's Left-Arm Threat
Mustafizur Rahman also has 26 wickets in combined Asia Cup cricket. The Bangladesh left-arm seamer has played 18 matches and has regularly troubled batters with cutters and changes of pace.
He was joint leading wicket-taker in the 2018 ODI Asia Cup with 10 wickets. His best figures during that competition were 4/43.
Mustafizur added nine more wickets in the 2025 T20I Asia Cup, including best figures of 3/20.
Rashid Khan – Afghanistan's Leading Asia Cup Bowler
Rashid Khan has taken 26 wickets in Asia Cup cricket. The Afghanistan leg-spinner has contributed in both ODI and T20I editions.
His finest ODI Asia Cup campaign came in 2018 when he took 10 wickets in five matches at an economy rate of only 3.72. Rashid finished joint top of the wicket-taking chart alongside Mustafizur Rahman and Kuldeep Yadav.
His combination of speed, accuracy and variations has made him one of Afghanistan's most important players since their rise in Asian cricket.
Best Bowling Figures in Asia Cup History
The Asia Cup has produced several remarkable individual spells. ODI and T20I figures are shown together below.
| Rank | Bowler | Figures | Opponent | Edition | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajantha Mendis | 6/13 | India | 2008 | ODI |
| 2 | Mohammed Siraj | 6/21 | Sri Lanka | 2023 | ODI |
| 3 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 5/4 | Afghanistan | 2022 | T20I |
| 4 | Aaqib Javed | 5/19 | India | 1995 | ODI |
| 5 | Arshad Ayub | 5/21 | Pakistan | 1988 | ODI |
| 6 | Ajantha Mendis | 5/22 | UAE | 2008 | ODI |
| 7 | Kuldeep Yadav | 5/25 | Pakistan | 2023 | ODI |
| 8 | Muttiah Muralitharan | 5/31 | Bangladesh | 2008 | ODI |
| 9 | Lasith Malinga | 5/34 | Pakistan | 2010 | ODI |
| 10 | Saqlain Mushtaq | 5/38 | Bangladesh | 1997 | ODI |
Mendis's 6/13 remains the best ODI Asia Cup spell, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the T20I record with 5/4 against Afghanistan in 2022. Mohammed Siraj is the other bowler to take six wickets in an Asia Cup innings, returning 6/21 against Sri Lanka in the 2023 final.
Most Wickets in Each Asia Cup Edition
| Edition | Format | Leading Bowler(s) | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | ODI | Ravi Shastri | 4 |
| 1986 | ODI | Abdul Qadir | 9 |
| 1988 | ODI | Arshad Ayub | 9 |
| 1990-91 | ODI | Kapil Dev | 9 |
| 1995 | ODI | Anil Kumble | 7 |
| 1997 | ODI | Venkatesh Prasad | 7 |
| 2000 | ODI | Abdul Razzaq | 8 |
| 2004 | ODI | Irfan Pathan | 14 |
| 2008 | ODI | Ajantha Mendis | 17 |
| 2010 | ODI | Lasith Malinga | 9 |
| 2012 | ODI | Umar Gul | 9 |
| 2014 | ODI | Lasith Malinga, Saeed Ajmal | 11 |
| 2016 | T20I | Al-Amin Hossain | 11 |
| 2018 | ODI | Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep Yadav | 10 |
| 2022 | T20I | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 11 |
| 2023 | ODI | Matheesha Pathirana | 11 |
| 2025 | T20I | Kuldeep Yadav | 17 |
Ajantha Mendis and Kuldeep Yadav jointly hold the record for the most wickets in a single Asia Cup edition with 17. Mendis achieved the mark in the 2008 ODI tournament, while Kuldeep matched it in the 2025 T20I competition.
Most Wickets in ODI Asia Cup History
| Bowler | Matches | Wickets | Average | Best | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 24 | 30 | 28.83 | 5/31 | 3.75 |
| Lasith Malinga | 14 | 29 | 20.55 | 5/34 | 4.65 |
| Ajantha Mendis | 8 | 26 | 10.42 | 6/13 | 3.98 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 12 | 25 | 19.40 | 3/26 | 4.21 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 20 | 25 | 26.28 | 4/29 | 4.34 |
| Chaminda Vaas | 19 | 23 | 27.78 | 3/30 | 4.19 |
| Irfan Pathan | 12 | 22 | 27.50 | 4/32 | 5.54 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 25 | 22 | 30.31 | 4/49 | 4.48 |
| Abdur Razzak | 18 | 22 | 36.18 | 3/17 | 4.67 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 18 | 22 | 36.95 | 4/42 | 4.74 |
Muralitharan therefore remains the leading wicket-taker when only the traditional 50-over Asia Cup is considered.
Conclusion
The record for the most wickets in Asia Cup history now belongs to Kuldeep Yadav, who has taken 36 wickets across ODI and T20I editions. His 17-wicket performance in the 2025 tournament moved him ahead of Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan on the combined list.
Malinga remains one of the competition's finest fast bowlers with 33 wickets, while Muralitharan's 30 wickets are still the ODI Asia Cup record. Ravindra Jadeja and Shakib Al Hasan have built their totals through long careers across multiple editions, while Ajantha Mendis stands apart for taking 26 wickets in only eight matches.
The Asia Cup's changing format makes comparisons between generations difficult, but the records highlight a long history of outstanding spin and fast bowling. From Mendis's 6/13 in 2008 to Kuldeep's 17-wicket campaign in 2025, bowlers have repeatedly played decisive roles in shaping the tournament.
FAQs
Who has taken the most wickets in Asia Cup history?
Kuldeep Yadav holds the combined ODI and T20I Asia Cup record with 36 wickets from 18 matches.
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 across ODI and T20I Asia Cup matches.
How many wickets has Ravindra Jadeja taken in the Asia Cup?
Ravindra Jadeja has taken 29 wickets across Asia Cup formats.
How many Asia Cup wickets did Shakib Al Hasan take?
Shakib Al Hasan took 28 wickets in 25 Asia Cup matches across the ODI and T20I formats.
Who has the best bowling figures in Asia Cup history?
Ajantha Mendis holds the ODI record with 6/13 against India in the 2008 Asia Cup final.
What are the best T20I bowling figures in Asia Cup history?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar holds the T20I Asia Cup record with 5/4 against Afghanistan in 2022.
Who took the most wickets in the 2025 Asia Cup?
Kuldeep Yadav finished as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets from seven matches.
Who took the most wickets in a single Asia Cup edition?
Ajantha Mendis and Kuldeep Yadav share the overall record with 17 wickets each. Mendis took 17 in the 2008 ODI edition and Kuldeep took 17 in the 2025 T20I edition.
Who took the most wickets in the 2023 Asia Cup?
Sri Lanka's Matheesha Pathirana finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI Asia Cup with 11 wickets.
Who took the most wickets in the 2018 Asia Cup?
Rashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman and Kuldeep Yadav finished joint top with 10 wickets each.
Which Pakistan bowler has the most wickets among the current Asia Cup leaders?
Haris Rauf has 26 combined Asia Cup wickets, while Saeed Ajmal took 25 wickets in ODI Asia Cup matches.
How many wickets did Ajantha Mendis take in Asia Cup cricket?
Ajantha Mendis took 26 wickets from only eight matches at an exceptional bowling average of 10.42.
Which bowler has taken the most five-wicket hauls in the Asia Cup?
Lasith Malinga has three five-wicket hauls in Asia Cup cricket, one of the strongest records for match-winning spells in the competition.
Rivcky John
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