Most Wickets in Asia Cup History (1984 – 2022)

Most Wickets in Asia Cup History – The bowler with the most wickets in the Asia Cup holds a prestigious record in the game of cricket. The Asia Cup, a continental championship played exclusively by Asian teams, crowns the champion of the continent. The inaugural edition of the tournament took place in 1984 in the United Arab Emirates, and since then, 14 more editions have followed, with the most recent one being held in 2022.

Also Read: Asia Cup Winners List, History, Runner-up

Over the years, many remarkable bowlers have left their mark in the Asia Cup by taking the most wickets. For cricket fans, the title of the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history is highly sought-after. The bowler with the most wickets in the Asia Cup holds a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts and their achievement will be remembered for a long time.

bowler with the most wickets in the Asia Cup

Also Read: Most Successful Captain in Asia Cup History

When it comes to Asia Cup bowling and wicket-taking records, the legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan holds the top position. Sanath Jayasuriya, who leads the Asia Cup batting records, also features among the top ten bowlers of the Asia Cup. The above list highlights the dominance of yesteryear Sri Lankan bowlers in the tournament.

Muralitharan has claimed the most wickets in the Asia Cup, with 30 to his name. Two other Sri Lankans follow him in second and third place. Together, these three bowlers have taken a total of six 5-wicket hauls in the tournament.

The record for most wickets in a single edition of the Asia Cup belongs to Mendis, who claimed a staggering 17 wickets in the 2008 edition of the tournament. This performance earned him the Man of the Series trophy that year. His 13/6 against India in the same year remains the best bowling figure in Asia Cup History.

Now, let us take a look at the top wicket-takers in the Asia Cup tournament.

Most Wickets in Asia Cup History

EditionPlayerTeamYearWickets
1stRavi ShastriIndia19844
2ndAbdul QadirPakistan19869
3rdArshad AyubIndia19889
4thKapil DevIndia1990-919
5thAnil KumbleIndia19957
6thVenkatesh PrasadIndia19977
7thAbdul RazzaqPakistan20008
8thIrfan PathanIndia200414
9thAjantha MendisSri Lanka200817
10thLasith MalingaSri Lanka20109
11thUmar GulPakistan20129
12thLasith Malinga, Saeed AjmalSri Lanka, Pakistan201411
13thAl-Amin HossainBangladesh201611
14thRashid Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Kuldeep YadavAfghanistan, Bangladesh, India201810
15thBhuvneshwar KumarIndia202211

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2023

The list of highest wicket-takers in the Asia Cup will be updated once the 2023 edition of the tournament commences.

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2022

During the 2022 Asia Cup, Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the most wickets in Asia Cup 2022, finishing with an impressive tally of 11 wickets. He was followed by Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga, who picked up 9 wickets, in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerInningsWicketsRunsOversBBIEcon.Ave.5WI
Bhuvneshwar Kumar511115195/46.0510.451
Wanindu Hasaranga69170233/217.3918.880
Mohammad Nawaz6811018.43/55.8913.750
Shadab Khan5811318.44/86.0514.120
Haris Rauf68153203/297.6519.120

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2018

During the 2018 Asia Cup, Rashid Khan made history by becoming the first bowler from Afghanistan to take the most wickets in Asia Cup, finishing with 10 wickets in 5 innings. Along with him, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman and India’s Kuldeep Yadav also picked up 10 wickets each in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerInningsWicketsOversBBIEcon.
Rashid Khan51046.146/33.72
Mustafizur Rahman5104245/44.4
Kuldeep Yadav5105845/34.08
Jasprit Bumrah4834.537/33.67
Ravindra Jadeja473529/44.45

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2016

During the 2016 Asia Cup, which was the first-ever T20I format of the continental championship, UAE’s Amjad Javed made history by becoming the first bowler from his country to finish the tournament as the highest wicket-taker, claiming an impressive 12 wickets. Following him were Bangladesh’s Al-Amin Hossain and Mohammad Naveed, who picked up 11 wickets each in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerMatWktsBBIAveEconSR4WI5WI
Amjad Javed7123/2514.087.3411.512/300
Al-Amin Hossain5113/2512.187.969.112/300
Mohammad Naveed7113/1413.185.241512/300
Mohammad Amir473/1811.575.0613.712/300
Nuwan Kulasekara473/1013.576.3312.812/300

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2014

During the 2014 Asia Cup, Lasith Malinga and Saeed Ajmal jointly claimed the Highest Wicket taker in Asia Cup 2014, finishing with a tally of 11 wickets each. Following them were Ajantha Mendis, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Mohammed Shami, who picked up 9 wickets each in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerMatchesWicketsOversRunsEcon.Ave.BBI4WI5WI
Lasith Malinga41134.51895.4217.185/5202
Saeed Ajmal511492024.1218.363/2600
Ajantha Mendis39261264.84144/6010
Ravichandran Ashwin4939.41674.2118.553/3100
Mohammed Shami4937.22306.1625.554/5010

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2012

During the 2012 Asia Cup, Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul emerged as the bowler with the most wickets, claiming 9 wickets in just 4 matches during the tournament. Following him were his compatriots Saeed Ajmal and Aizaz Cheema, who picked up 8 wickets each in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerMatchesWicketsRunsAverageSRBBIEconomy5WI
Umar Gul4920823.111243/585.7780
Saeed Ajmal4816120.12528.253/274.2740
Aizaz Cheema4819624.524.754/435.9391
Abdur Razzak4615425.667402/263.850
Mashrafe Mortaza4617729.539.8332/444.4440

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2010

During the 2010 Asia Cup, former Sri Lankan pace spearhead Lasith Malinga claimed the most wickets, picking up 9 wickets in just 3 matches, including 1 five-wicket haul during the tournament. Following him were Indian bowlers Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, and Praveen Kumar, who picked up 6 wickets each in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerMatOversWktsBBIAveEconSR4WI5WI
Lasith Malinga328.295/34144.4418.801
Ashish Nehra32264/40215.722210
Zaheer Khan429.362/3624.665.0129.500
Praveen Kumar43463/53254.413400
Farveez Maharoof32455/4227.25.6628.801

Highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup 2008

Former Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis emerged as the bowler with the most wickets in the 2008 Asia Cup, claiming a whopping 17 wickets in just 5 innings during the tournament. Following him were his legendary compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan and Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir, who picked up 11 and 10 wickets respectively in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerInningsWicketsRunsOversBBIEconomyAverage5WI
Ajantha Mendis517145426/133.458.522
Muthiah Muralidaran511184485/313.8316.721
Sohail Tanvir510241425/485.7324.11
Iftikhar Anjum5921043.43/514.823.330
RP Singh57239433/675.5534.140
Abdur Razzak5724746.23/205.3335.280

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2004

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan claimed the most wickets in the 2004 Asia Cup, picking up a remarkable 14 wickets in 6 matches during the tournament. Following him were the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Nuwan Zoysa, who picked up 12 and 10 wickets respectively in the list of highest wicket-takers.

PlayerMatchesBallsWickets5WI
Irfan Pathan6313140
Sachin Tendulkar5192120
Nuwan Zoysa5264100
Shoaib Malik524190
Mohammad Sami525380

Most wickets in Asia Cup 2000

During the 2000 Asia Cup, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq emerged as the bowler with the most wickets, claiming 8 wickets in just 3 games. Following him were Azhar Mahmood, Ajit Agarkar, and Arshad Khan, who picked up 5 wickets each during the tournament.

PlayerMatchesInningsWicketsOversEcon.Ave.BBIS/R4WI5WI
Abdul Razzaq33819.23.829.254/2914.510
Azhar Mahmood445303.5321.23/243600
Ajit Agarkar335304.6327.82/473600
Arshad Khan445383.68282/4245.600
Wasim Akram334204.0520.252/383000

Most wickets in Asia Cup 1997

Former Indian fast-bowler Venkatesh Prasad claimed the most wickets in the 1997 Asia Cup, picking up 7 wickets in 4 games during the tournament. Following him were former Pakistan spin spearhead Saqlain Mushtaq and Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, who finished with 6 wickets each in the list of highest wicket-takers in Asia Cup 1997.

PlayerMatchesInningsWicketsOversEcon.Ave.BBIS/R4WI5WI
Venkatesh Prasad447246.07174/1720.510
Saqlain Mushtaq32619.36.5312.665/3819.501
Sanath Jayasuriya436306.2724.54/493010
Robin Singh435166.113.63/1319.200
Chaminda Vaas335227.5719.42/3226.400

Most wickets in Asia Cup 1995

In the 1995 edition of the Asia Cup, former India spin spearhead Anil Kumble emerged as the bowler with the most wickets, claiming 7 wickets during the tournament. He was followed by his compatriots Venkatesh Prasad and Aaqib Javed, who picked up 6 and 5 wickets respectively in the competition.

PlayerMatchesInningsWicketsOversEcon.Ave.BBIS/R4WI5WI
Anil Kumble447363.8619.852/2320.500
Venkatesh Prasad33628418.663/3719.500
Aaqib Javed225192.529.65/193001
Saiful Islam335224.54204/3619.210
Muttiah Muralitharan33528.23.9122.24/2326.410

Most wickets in Asia Cup 1993

The 1993 Asia Cup had to be canceled due to political tension between India and Pakistan, where it was scheduled to be held.

Most wickets in Asia Cup 1990/91

During the 1990/91 edition of the Asia Cup, former India skipper Kapil Dev claimed the most wickets in the tournament. The World Cup-winning captain finished with a tally of 9 wickets, ahead of his compatriot Atul Wassan and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Ratnayake in the list of highest wicket-takers in Asia Cup 1990/91.

PlayerMatchesInningsWicketsOversAve.Econ.BBI4WI5WI
Kapil Dev33926.210.663.644/3110
Atul Wassan3352720.83.853/2800
Rumesh Ratnayake22414.514.53.913/2400
Sanath Jayasuriya3332030.334.552/3900

Most wickets in Asia Cup 1988

The third edition of the Asia Cup saw Arshad Ayub emerge as the bowler with the most wickets, claiming 9 wickets during the tournament. Kapila Wijegunawardene of Sri Lanka and Ravi Ratnayeke finished second and third in the list of highest wicket-takers with 8 and 7 wickets respectively.

PlayerMatchesInningsWicketsOversAve.Econ.BBI4WI5WI
Arshad Ayub4493613.333.335/2101
Kapila Wijegunawardene4483216.54.124/4910
Ravi Ratnayeke4473418.853.884/2310
Kapil Dev44628.216.53.492/1600
Abdul Qadir33626173.923/2700

Most wickets in Asia Cup 1986

During the second edition of the Asia Cup held in 1986, Pakistani cricketer Abdul Qadir claimed the most wickets in Asia Cup 1986, finishing the tournament with 9 wickets in just 3 games. Following him were Sri Lanka’s Kaushik Amalean and Ravi Ratnayeke, who both picked up 7 wickets each during the competition.

PlayerMatchesInningsWicketsOversEcon.Ave.BBIS/R4WI5WI
Abdul Qadir33924.22.917.883/1516.200
Kaushik Amalean337253.64134/4621.410
Ravi Ratnayeke337264.7317.573/3222.2200
Wasim Akram33422.22.5914.54/1933.510
Manzoor Elahi334233.0417.53/2234.500
Arjuna Ranatunga33427320.252/1740.500
Zakir Khan334195.124.253/3428.500

Most Wickets in Asia Cup 1984

In the first edition of the Asia Cup held in 1984, former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri emerged as the bowler with the most wickets. The former India coach claimed 4 wickets in just 2 games during the tournament. His fellow countryman, Madan Lal, and Sri Lanka’s Arjuna Ranatunga were ranked second and third in the list of highest wicket-takers in Asia Cup 1984.

PlayerMatchesInningsWicketsOversEcon.Ave.BBIS/R4WI5WI
Ravi Shastri224173.1113.253/4025.500
Madan Lal223142.2810.663/112800
Arjuna Ranatunga213103.812.663/382000
Chetan Sharma223152.6613.333/223000
Roger Binny22316.43.4819.333/3333.300

Most Wickets in Asia Cup (T20 Format)

BowlersWicketsMatchesBest Bowling4 Wickets-Haul
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (IND)1364/52
Amjad Javed (UAE)12725/30
Al-Amin Hossain (BAN)11525/30
Mohammad Naveed (UAE)11714/30
Hardik Pandya (IND)1188/30
Rashid Khan (AFG)11822/30
Hasaranga de Silva (SL)9621/30
Shadab Khan (PAK)858/41
Haris Rauf (PAK)8629/30
Mohammad Nawaz (PAK)885/30

Most Wickets in Asia Cup (ODI Format)

BowlersWicketsMatchesBest Bowling4 Wickets-Haul
Muttiah Muralitharan (SL)302431/51
Lasith Malinga (SL)291434/53
Ajantha Mendis (SL)26813/62
Saeed Ajmal (PAK)251226/30
Chaminda Vaas (SL)231930/30
Irfan Pathan (IND)221232/40
Sanath Jayasuriya (SL)222149/40
Abdur Razzak (PAK)221817/30
Ravindra Jadeja (IND)191429/40
Shakib Al Hasan (BAN)191342/40