The Asia Cup has been taking place since 1984. This is the tournament that is being played between the top sides in the sub-continent. India has won it the most times, seven in total. Sri Lanka also has six wins, while Pakistan has two. This tournament takes place in T20I and ODI formats.
So far, 13 editions have taken place in 50-over format, while the rest are in T20 format. This article will have a list of bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the Asia Cup (ODI format). This list is dominated by Sri Lankan bowlers, all three. There are four Sri Lankan stars in the top four.
Most Wickets in ODI Asia Cup
| Bowler | Span | Mts | Wkts | BBI | 4/5 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 1995-2010 | 24 | 30 | 5/31 | 1/1 |
| Lasith Malinga (SL) | 2004-2018 | 14 | 29 | 5/34 | 1/3 |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 2008-2014 | 8 | 26 | 6/13 | 2/0 |
| Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 2008-2014 | 12 | 25 | 3/26 | 0/0 |
| Chaminda Vaas (SL) | 1995-2008 | 19 | 23 | 3/30 | 0/0 |
| Irfan Pathan (IND) | 2004-2012 | 12 | 22 | 4/32 | 1/0 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 1990-2008 | 25 | 22 | 4/49 | 1/0 |
| Abdur Razzak (BAN) | 2004-2014 | 18 | 22 | 3/17 | 0/0 |
| Ravindra Jadeja (IND) | 2010-2018 | 14 | 19 | 4/29 | 2/0 |
| Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 2010-2018 | 13 | 19 | 4/42 | 1/0 |
5. Chaminda Vaas (SL) – 23 Wickets
Former Sri Lankan left-arm pacer Chaminda Vaas was the leader of the pace attack for his country for years. His consistent line and length always troubled the batters. Vaas played 19 Asia Cup matches between 1995 and 2008 in his career. He took a total of 23 wickets at an economy rate of 4.19 and a best figure of 3/30.
4. Saeed Ajmal (PAK) – 25 Wickets
Former Pakistani Saeed Ajmal is the only non-Sri Lankan bowler in the top five. Ajmal was known for troubling the batter with his doosra. But his conventional offspin was also effective. He played 12 games in the Asia Cup between 2008 and 2014 and picked up a total of 25 wickets at a brilliant average and economy of 19.40 and 4.21, respectively.
3. Ajantha Mendis (SL) – 26 Wickets
Ajantha Mendis took international cricket by storm when he made his debut in this game. He was just unplayable and became the fastest to 50 ODI wickets (19 matches). During this time, he also played 8 games in the Asia Cup. In those matches, he took 26 wickets at an incredible strike rate of 15.69, with a best of 6/13. He bowled in 8 innings and took two fifers and two four-wicket hauls.
2. Lasith Malinga (SL) – 29 Wickets
Former Sri Lankan superstar Lasith Malinga was among the best white-ball bowlers that the game has seen. His pin-point yorkers and change-ups were very difficult to face for the batters. Malinga played in the Asia Cup between 2004 and 2018. He played 14 matches and took 29 wickets at an economy rate of 4.65 and a best of 5/34.
1. Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) – 30 Wickets
When it comes to the highest wicket-taker in international cricket in any tournament, there are not many that can surpass Sri Lankan legend Muthiah Muralidaran. Murali retired as the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup as well. He played between 1995 and 2010 and appeared in 24 games. He took 30 wickets at a brilliant economy rate of 3.75 and a best figure of 5/31.