Bowling is as important as batting in any cricket match. That is why a team with a good bowling attack always has an edge over the opposition. This article will include some of the top spells ever recorded in the history of the Asia Cup. This tournament started in 1984 and features top subcontinental teams.
India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the major teams taking part in it. Later, other Asian teams like Afghanistan, Hong Kong, UAE and Nepal also joined in. Asians are among the best in the game. That is why there have been some of the best spells recorded in this tournament, which we will check here below.
Best Bowling Figures in ODI Asia Cup
| Bowler | Overs | Mdns | BBI | Vs | Venue | Date |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 8.0 | 1 | 6/13 | India | Karachi | 06 Jul 2008 |
| Aaqib Javed (PAK) | 9.0 | 1 | 5/19 | India | Sharjah | 07 Apr 1995 |
| Arshad Ayub (IND) | 9.0 | 0 | 5/21 | Pakistan | Dhaka | 31 Oct 1988 |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 6.3 | 1 | 5/22 | U.A.E. | Lahore | 26 Jun 2008 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 10.0 | 1 | 5/31 | Bangladesh | Karachi | 30 Jun 2008 |
| Lasith Malinga (SL) | 10.0 | 0 | 5/34 | Pakistan | Dambulla | 15 Jun 2010 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) | 9.3 | 1 | 5/38 | Bangladesh | Colombo (RPS) | 16 Jul 1997 |
| Farvez Maharoof (SL) | 10.0 | 1 | 5/42 | India | Dambulla | 22 Jun 2010 |
| Sohail Tanvir (PAK) | 10.0 | 1 | 5/48 | Sri Lanka | Karachi | 29 Jun 2008 |
| Lasith Malinga (SL) | 9.5 | 0 | 5/52 | Pakistan | Fatullah | 25 Feb 2014 |
5. Muthiah Muralidaran (5/31) vs Bangladesh in 2008
Muthiah Muralidaran needs no introduction to the game. He is the highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history. His best spell in the tournament came in a game against Bangladesh in Karachi in Asia Cup 2008. Sri Lanka made 332/8 in the first innings and dismissed Bangladesh for just 174 runs in 38.3 overs. Murali picked up 5/31 in his ten overs, including a maiden.
4. Ajantha Mendis (5/22) vs UAE in 2008
Ajantha Mendis came onto the scene as a mystery bowler, and the 2008 edition actually saw it. He took two fifers in that tournament. One of them came from UAE to Lahore. In the first inning, Sri Lanka scored a total of 290/9, with Mahela Udawatte (67) top scoring. Chasing the target, UAE suffered badly and got all out for 148 runs in 36.3 overs. Mendis took 5/22 in just 6.3 overs, including a maiden.
3. Arshad Ayub (5/21) vs Pakistan in 1988
Former Indian off-spinner Arshad Ayub registered the third-best figure in the Asia Cup. He recorded it against Pakistan in the 1988 edition in Dhaka. Batting first, Pakistan were all out for 142 runs in 42.2 overs, despite having a 62-run opening stand. Ayub bowled nine overs for 5/21. India also struggled in the chase, but Mohinder Amarnath scored 74 not out to help the team reach 143/6 and win by four wickets.
2. Aaqib Javed (5/19) vs India in 1998
Former Pakistani pacer Aaqib Javed holds the second-best Asia Cup spell of all time. He scored it against India in Sharjah in the 1995 Asia Cup. It was Pakistan who batted first and scored 266/9 in the first innings. Inzamam-ul-Haq was the top scorer with 88. In reply, India lost some key wickets as Aaqib took big wickets from the top order. He ended up taking 5/19 in nine overs, and India were bowled out for 169 in 42.4 overs. Pakistan won by 97 runs.
1. Ajantha Mendis (6/13) vs India in 2008
Indian batters are known for playing spin better. But Ajantha Mendis made them dance on his bowling during a game between India and Sri Lanka in Karachi in 2008. He became the first and only bowler to take a six-wicket haul in the Asia Cup. Replying to Sri Lanka’s 273, only Virender Sehwag (60) looked good. Mendis bowled 8 overs and took 6/13 to register one of the best spells ever. India were 173 all out, and Sri Lanka won by 100 runs.