The Asia Cup is one of the most exciting cricket tournaments that takes place among the best Asian teams. This tournament decides the Asian champions, and the record suggests that India is the best team in this competition. Cricket has become a more batting-friendly sport now, with mostly favorable rules in favor of batters.
That is why it is hard for a bowler to be relevant to this sport for a long time. However, history tells us that there have been some bowling superstars who have troubled the best batters as well. This article is all about that. In this article, we will talk about the bowlers with the most wickets in a single edition of Asia Cup history.
Most Wickets in single Asia Cup edition (ODI Format)
| Bowler | Season | Mts | Wkts | BBI | Econ | 4/5 |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 2008 | 5 | 17 | 6/13 | 3.45 | 1/2 |
| Irfan Pathan (IND) | 2004 | 6 | 14 | 3/28 | 4.37 | 0/0 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 2008 | 6 | 12 | 3/31 | 4.59 | 0/0 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 2004 | 5 | 11 | 5/31 | 3.83 | 0/1 |
| Lasith Malinga (SL) | 2014 | 4 | 11 | 5/52 | 5.42 | 0/2 |
| Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 2014 | 5 | 11 | 3/26 | 4.12 | 0/0 |
| Nuwan Zoysa (SL) | 2004 | 5 | 10 | 3/29 | 3.54 | 0/0 |
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 2018 | 5 | 10 | 3/46 | 3.72 | 0/0 |
| Mustafizur Rahman (BAN) | 2018 | 5 | 10 | 4/43 | 4.40 | 1/0 |
| Kuldeep Yadav (IND) | 2018 | 6 | 10 | 3/45 | 4.08 | 0/0 |
5. Lasith Malinga (SL) – 11 wickets in 2014
The 2014 edition was won by Sri Lanka after beating Pakistan in the final. And Lasith Malinga was one of the consistent performers for them throughout the tournament. He was the highest wicket-taker in that competition and took a total of 11 wickets in just four innings. He also took two five-wicket hauls in those four matches.
4. Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) – 11 wickets in 2008
Another bowler who helped Sri Lanka win the Asia Cup tournament was Muthiah Muralidaran. The 2008 edition was held in Sri Lanka, and the hosts won it, beating India in the final. Murali was the second-highest wicket-taker in that tournament. He took 11 wickets in just 5 matches at a strike rate of 26.18 and a best of 5/31.
3. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 12 wickets in 2004
Sachin Tendulkar was one of the most underrated bowlers in international cricket, but he had more than 150 ODI wickets. The master blaster was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2004 Asia Cup edition. India ended as runners-up in that tournament. Sachin took 12 wickets in six games at an economy rate of 4.59 and a best of 3/21.
2. Irfan Pathan (IND) – 14 wickets in 2004
The 2004 edition was a brilliant season for Irfan Pathan. He finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker, but India lost the final to Sri Lanka and finished as runners-up. On the other hand, Pathan took a total of 14 wickets in just six matches at an economy rate and strike rate of 4.37 and 22.35, respectively. His best figure was 3/28.
1. Ajantha Mendis (SL) – 17 wickets in 2008
The record for the most wickets in a single Asia Cup edition belongs to Ajantha Mendis. It is very difficult to surpass him. He was unplayable during the 2008 Asia Cup and helped Sri Lanka win the tournament. Mendis was the Player of the Tournament in 2008. He took 17 wickets in just five games, including two five-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul, for a best of 6/13.