Before taking a look at the stats, let’s gain a little information about Asia Cup. The first Asia Cup was played in 1984 in Sharjah, Dubai. Where the Indian team was victorious and now has the most titles, 6 in totality. Initially being played in an ODI format, Asia Cup was played in a T-20 format for the first time in 2016 in Bangladesh. However, this time it will be conducted in an ODI format.
Return of Asia Cup
Asia Cup is the most awaited tournament, especially for cricket lovers all over the sub-continent. Even though it was postponed for almost two years due to the pandemic, Asia Cup is back with a treat for its fans, as the inaugural match is to be played between the arch-rivals INDIA and PAKISTAN. For the same fans, we have got a detailed list of the most runs scored and wickets taken in the Asia cup.
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Top Batting Stats
The tally of most runs in Asia Cup (ODI format) is dominated by Sri Lankan legends. As the table is topped by veteran Sri Lankan player Sanath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya has a total of 1220 runs in 24 ODI matches. Followed by other Sri Lankan legends: Kumar Sangakara, Arjuna Ranatunga and Mahela Jayawardene.
God of cricket himself is a part of this list, as Sachin Tendulkar ranks on number 3 with 971 runs in 21 innings. Interestingly, Tendulkar achieved his 100th international century mark in the same tournament. He scored it against the hosts Bangladesh in the 2012 edition.
Along with these legends, there are some active or most recently retired players to look up to for their batting stats. These players have played the Asia Cup in both the formats, ODI and T20. This tally includes- Pakistani batter Shoaib Malik with 907 in 21 innings. Followed by the Hitman, Rohit Sharma with 883 total runs in 21 innings, and Virat Kohli with 766 runs in 16 innings.
Also Read: Top Five Indian Players with Fastest Century in Test Cricket
Here’s a detailed list of players with the most runs, inclusive of both formats.
| PLAYER NAMES | TENURE | INNINGS | TOTAL RUNS | AVERAGE | STRIKE RATE | 100s | 50s |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 1990-2008 | 25 | 1220 | 53.04 | 102.52 | 6 | 3 |
| Kumar Sangakara (SL) | 2004-2014 | 24 | 1075 | 48.86 | 84.51 | 4 | 8 |
| Sachin Tendulkar(IND) | 2000-2018 | 21 | 971 | 51.10 | 85.47 | 2 | 7 |
| Shoaib Malik(PAK) | 2000-2018 | 21 | 907 | 64.78 | 93.02 | 3 | 4 |
| Rohit Sharma(IND) | 2008-2018 | 27 | 883 | 43.04 | 90.01 | 1 | 7 |
| Virat Kohli(IND) | 2010-2016 | 16 | 766 | 63.83 | 99.60 | 3 | 2 |
| Arjuna Ranatunga(SL) | 1984-1997 | 19 | 741 | 57.00 | 82.79 | 1 | 6 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim(BAN) | 2008-2018 | 26 | 739 | 32.13 | 83.88 | 2 | 2 |
| MS Dhoni(IND) | 2008-2018 | 24 | 690 | 69.00 | 91.51 | 1 | 3 |
| Mahela Jayawardene(SL) | 2000-2014 | 28 | 674 | 29.30 | 87.64 | 0 | 7 |
Top Bowling Stats
Likewise, the bowling stats are also dominated by legendary Sri Lankan players. As veteran Sri Lankan, Yorker master, fast baller, Lasith Malinga leads the way, with most wickets in Asia Cup History.
Being a part of six editions of Asia Cup, Malinga claims a record of 33 wickets in 15 matches. With an amazing economy of 4.70and an average of 18.84. Impressively he has also left his mark by taking 2 four-wicket hauls and 3 five-wicket hauls. A dream record of every baller, isn’t it?
Meanwhile, another Sri Lankan legendary baller Muthiah Muralidaran claims the second position. Having picked 30 wickets in 24 matches at an impressive economy of 3.75 and an average of 28.83.
Check Out : Top Five Indian Players with Fastest Fifty in Test Cricket
Sri Lankan Dominance Again
The tally for the top ten highest wicket-takers includes a total of 5 Sri Lankan players. With lone Pakistani baller Saeed Akmal, who has a total of 25 wickets in just 12 matches.
The top Indian legends to be featured in the tally are, Ravindra Jadeja and Irfan Pathan. Both registering a total of 22 wickets in 18 and 12 innings, respectively.
Here’s a detailed list of the top ten wicket-takers in Asia Cup history:
| PLAYER NAME | TENURE | MATCHES | WICKETS | AVERAGE | ECONOMY | 4 WICKET-HAULS | 5 WICKET-HAULS |
| Lasith Malinga(SL) | 2004-2018 | 15 | 33 | 18.84 | 4.70 | 2 | 3 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran(SL) | 1995-2010 | 24 | 30 | 28.83 | 3.75 | 1 | 1 |
| Ajantha Mendis(SL) | 2008-2014 | 8 | 26 | 1042 | 3.98 | 2 | 2 |
| Saeed Ajmal(PAK) | 2008-2014 | 12 | 25 | 19.40 | 4.21 | 0 | 0 |
| Shakib Al Hasan(BAN) | 2010-2018 | 18 | 24 | 30.41 | 5.05 | 1 | 0 |
| Chaminda Vaas(SL) | 1995-2008 | 19 | 23 | 27.78 | 4.19 | 0 | 0 |
| Mashrafe Mortoza(BAN) | 2008-2018 | 24 | 23 | 42.69 | 5.82 | 0 | 0 |
| Ravindra Jadeja(IND) | 2010-2018 | 18 | 22 | 26.75 | 4.56 | 2 | 0 |
| Irfan Pathan(IND) | 2004-2012 | 12 | 22 | 27.50 | 5.54 | 1 | 0 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya(SL) | 1990-2008 | 25 | 22 | 30.31 | 4.48 | 1 | 0 |
This detailed information about the most runs scored and wickets taken in Asia cup history significantly shows the dominance of Sri Lankan legends in the Asia Cup.
