Legendary Sri Lanka cricketer Lasith Malinga currently holds the record for the most wickets in Asia Cup history.
Having featured in six editions of the Asia Cup between 2004 and 2018, Lasith Malinga claimed 33 wickets in 15 matches at an impressive economy of 4.70 and an average of 18.84. He registered two four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls in the tournament history.
The lethal right-arm fast bowler finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 2010 and 2014 editions of the Asia Cup. While the Sri Lanka pacer picked nine wickets in three matches at the 2010 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, the premier fast bowler took 11 wickets in four matches at the 2014 Asia Cup held in Bangladesh.
Malinga won the Asia Cup twice with the Sri Lankan national cricket team in 2004 and 2014.
Another Sri Lankan legend Muthiah Muralidaran comes second on the list for most wickets in Asia Cup history.
Considered to be one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket, Muralidaran picked 30 wickets in 24 matches at the Asia Cup events at an economy of 3.75 and an average of 28.83. He recorded one four-wicket haul and a solitary five-wicket haul.
Muralidaran was part of Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup-winning squads in 1997, 2004 and 2008.
Former Sri Lanka mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis features third on the list. Between 2008 and 2014, Mendis scalped 26 wickets in just eight Asia Cup matches at an economy of 3.98 and an average of 10.42. He took two four-wicket hauls and as many five-wicket hauls in Asia Cup history.
Mendis guided Sri Lanka to the Asia Cup titles in 2008 and 2014. He was the highest wicket-taker at the 2008 edition, picking 17 wickets in just five matches at an average of 8.52 and an economy of 3.45. He also played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s 2014-winning campaign as he bagged nine wickets in three matches at an economy of 4.84.
Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan complete the top five list.
Former Pakistan off-spinner Ajmal took 25 wickets in 12 matches between 2008 and 2014. He was part of Pakistan’s Asia Cup-winning squad in 2012.
Among active cricketers, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has the most wickets in Asia Cup history. The left-arm spinner has scalped 24 wickets in 18 matches so far between 2010 and 2018.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has claimed the most wickets in Asia Cup history among Indians. The star all-rounder has picked 22 wickets in 18 Asia Cup matches at an economy of 4.56, including two four-wicket hauls.
Most wickets in Asia Cup
| Player | Span | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | 4 | 5 |
| 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 | 10.42 | 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 Mortaza (SL) | 2008-2018 | 24 | 23 | 42.69 | 5.82 | 0 | 0 |
| Ravindra Jadeja (IND) | 2010-2018 | 18 | 22 | 26.59 | 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 |
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Featured photo: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP
