It has always been said that batters win you matches and bowlers make you win the tournament, which is why we are going to check out who the highest wicket-takers are in Asia Cup history.
Asia Cup tournaments have seen many legends in the making, including Lasith Malinga, Kuldeep Yadav, and other great bowlers, who have made a name for themselves in Asian lands. Asian pitches most of the time have been more in favor of the spinners due to the dry pitch, and that’s why out of the top five, four are the spinners.
Top 10 Highest Wicket-Takers in Asia Cup History (ODI + T20I Combined)
We picked the top 10 bowlers with the highest wicket-takers in Asia Cup History, which includes ODI and T20I.
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches (ODI + T20I) | Wickets (ODI + T20I) |
| 1 | Kuldeep Yadav | India | 17 (ODI + T20I) | 36 (19 ODI + 17 T20I) |
| 2 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 22 (ODI + T20I) | 33 (29 ODI + 4 T20I) |
| 3 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 24 (ODI) | 30 ODIs |
| 4 | Ravindra Jadeja | India | 28 (ODI + T20I) | 29 (25 ODI + 4 T20I) |
| 5 | Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | 8 (ODI) | 26 ODIs |
| 6 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 28 (ODI + T20I) | 28 (22 ODI + 6 T20I) |
| 7 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 18 (ODI + T20I) | 25 ODIs |
| 8 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pakistan | 15 (ODI + T20I) | 25 (14 ODI + 10 T20I) |
| 9 | Saeed Ajmal | Pakistan | 12 (ODI) | 25 ODIs |
| 10 | Chaminda Vaas | Pakistan | 19 (ODI) | 23 ODIs |
1. Kuldeep Yadav – 36 Wickets (India)
Kuldeep Yadav has steadily established himself as a key bowler for India in the Asia Cup. The left-arm wrist spinner tops the Asia Cup wicket charts with 36 wickets across formats, relying on control and patience on spin-friendly surfaces.
In 2023, Kuldeep took a five-wicket haul against Pakistan, underlining his status as India’s most reliable spinner in limited-overs cricket. Kuldeep sticks to classic spin bowling, using deception and control to challenge batters.
2. Lasith Malinga – 33 Wickets (Sri Lanka)
Lasith Malinga is among the most successful bowlers in Asia Cup history. Known for his unique action and accurate yorkers, Malinga took 33 wickets in the Asia Cup, often delivering in the final overs.
He was Sri Lanka’s leading bowler in key situations, including his five-wicket haul in the 2014 final against Pakistan. Malinga combined pace with tactical awareness and was Sri Lanka’s leading fast bowler for several years.
3. Muttiah Muralitharan – 30 Wickets (Sri Lanka)
Muttiah Muralitharan’s presence in the Asia Cup was pure theatre. The legendary off-spinner finished with 30 wickets in ODIs, regularly breaking through batting line-ups. Muralitharan made things happen even when the pitch offered little, using his skill to outthink batters on any surface.
His control over flight and turn made him a constant threat through the 1990s and 2000s. For Sri Lanka, Muralitharan was always at the center of the contest.
4. Ravindra Jadeja – 29 Wickets (India)
Ravindra Jadeja has quietly become one of India’s most effective bowlers in the Asia Cup. He depends on precision and consistency rather than big turns or sharp bounces. With 29 wickets across formats, Jadeja’s control keeps runs down and creates chances for wickets.
He often builds pressure from one end, allowing others to take advantage of him. Jadeja’s fielding and composure enhance his value, making him one of India’s most complete players in the Asia Cup.
5. Ajantha Mendis – 26 Wickets (Sri Lanka)
Ajantha Mendis made a significant impact in the 2008 Asia Cup. With just eight ODIs before the tournament, Mendis took 26 wickets and forced teams to rethink their approach to one-day spin.
His carrom ball troubled top batters, and his six wickets in the 2008 final against India remain a standout moment in Asia Cup history. Although his run at the top was brief, Mendis changed how teams prepared for spin bowling.
6. Shakib Al Hasan – 28 Wickets (Bangladesh)
For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan is more than just a player; he’s the backbone of the team. With 28 wickets across ODIs and T20Is, Shakib has led from the front, often carrying the team’s bowling attack on his shoulders. He thrives on responsibility, using flight and variation to trap batters.
His calm under pressure and ability to break partnerships have made him Bangladesh’s greatest all-rounder. In the Asia Cup, he’s shown that skill and temperament can be just as important as pace, setting the standard for Bangladesh.
7. Jasprit Bumrah – 25 Wickets (India)
Jasprit Bumrah brings precision and intensity every time he bowls. He doesn’t just rely on speed; his strength is control and clear thinking.
Bumrah’s 25 wickets in Asia Cup games have often come in crucial stages, where the team needed breakthroughs or economical overs. His ability to bowl yorkers on demand and mix in slower balls makes him one of the most dependable bowlers today. With Bumrah on the field, India always has a chance, no matter how close the match gets.
8. Shaheen Shah Afridi – 25 Wickets (Pakistan)
Shaheen Shah Afridi represents the new face of Pakistan pace bowling, fearless, fiery, and full of intent. At just 25 wickets so far, his Asia Cup story is still being written, but it’s already filled with memorable spells.
His ability to swing the new ball and attack with energy makes him a threat to any top order. His early breakthroughs, particularly against India, have often set the tone for Pakistan’s matches. Shaheen brings not just pace but passion, and that energy shows in every over he bowls.
9. Saeed Ajmal – 25 Wickets (Pakistan)
Saeed Ajmal put the spotlight back on spin deception. With 25 ODI wickets, he became Pakistan’s most trusted spinner during the 2010s.
Ajmal’s calm demeanor on the field hid a calculating mind that always stayed a step ahead of batters. He didn’t overpower opponents; he outsmarted them. His ability to bowl flighted deliveries under pressure made him a vital weapon, especially in matches where Pakistan relied on spin to control the middle overs.
10. Chaminda Vaas – 23 Wickets (Sri Lanka)
Before Malinga, there was Chaminda Vaas, the craftsman who could swing the ball both ways with precision. With 23 wickets in Asia Cup ODIs, Vaas laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling success. He didn’t need raw pace to be effective; his accuracy and ability to read conditions made the difference.
Vaas often delivered early breakthroughs, giving Sri Lanka the advantage before the spinners came on. He remains one of the most respected figures in Sri Lankan cricket, known for his skill and quiet consistency.
India and Sri Lanka bowlers are at the top of the list of taking wickets, but there are some of the great Pakistani bowlers who also performed exceptionally well. There will be many more bowlers who will be in the list in the future, but right now it is all about the Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who took 17 wickets in the 2025 Asia Cup to reach the top of the table.
FAQs
A. Kuldeep Yadav took 17 wickets in the Asia Cup 2025.
A. Kuldeep Yadav took 36 wickets in the Asia Cup history, and he has more years to play in the upcoming tournament.
A. Ajanta Mendis still holds the record of best bowling strike rate in the Asia Cup with 15.69.