Asia Cup 2022 returns after a long gap of four years as Sri Lanka crosses swords with Afghanistan in the opening game of the continental tournament. While defending champs India are the most successful team in the history of the Asia Cup with seven trophies, the Lankan Lions are second with five titles to their name.
While Sri Lanka has always been a batting nation, just like India, having produced legendary batsmen such as Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Tillakaratne Dilshan to name a few, over the years, there have also been plenty of legendary bowlers such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas to name a few.
In fact, bowlers have played a crucial role in the island nation’s success in Asia Cup. Both Malinga and Muralitharan feature in the top five highest wicket-takers tally in the tournament.
Given the conditions in the sub-continent, the list is dominated by spinners, with just one pacer among the top five.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the list in full:
#5 Shakib Al Hasan
The only active cricketer on this list who is still going strong, Shakib Al Hasan has registered 24 wickets in 18 matches between 2010 and 2018. The all-rounder will hope to add to his tally as he is all set to lead Bangladesh in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.
In the lead-up to the tournament, Shakib had struck up a sponsorship deal with a betting company which became a huge talking point. He had to cut ties with the sponsors and was subsequently named the captain of the Bangla Tigers. Talking about the 35-year-old’s performances in Asia Cup, he has bowled at an impressive economy rate of 5.05, and he has also taken a four-wicket haul once.
#4 Saeed Ajmal
Saeed Ajmal is Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in Asia Cup with 25 wickets
Former Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal ranks in fourth place in the list of most successful bowlers in the Asia Cup, having 25 dismissals to his name in just 12 matches. Astonishingly he played in the spectacle between 2008 and 2014 and was part of the title-winning side in 2012.
His best bowling figures in the tournament were 3/26 in the cup. The 44-year-old had a stellar run in Asia Cup 2014 when he picked up 11 wickets to help Pakistan qualify for the final, where they were beaten by Sri Lanka.
#3 Ajantha Mendis
If you were impressed with Saeed Ajmal’s stats, who claimed 25 wickets in just 12 matches, Ajantha Mendis will leave you stunned. The Sri Lankan mystery spinner amassed a tally of 26 scalps in a mere eight matches.
Despite playing for his nation between 2008 to 2014 in the Asia Cup, he picked up only eight caps but that was enough for Mendis to torment opposition teams. Twice, he registered four-wicket hauls and as many five-wicket hauls.
The wily off-spinner helped the Lankan Lions win two Asia Cup titles in 2008 and 2014, wherein in the 2008 edition alone, he registered 17 dismissals, including a six wicket-haul against India in Karachi. In the 2014 edition, Mendis added nine more wickets to his tally.
#2 Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan is the most successful spinner in Asia Cup history
One of the best-ever spinners to ever play the game of cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan finished his illustrious playing career with 30 wickets under his belt, while representing Sri Lanka in 24 matches. His dismissals came at an economy of 3.75 and an average of 28.83.
The spin-wizard helped his nation win three Asia Cup titles, 1997, 2004 and 2008.
Muralitharan also recorded a four-wicket haul and a five-for in the tournament, but he had somewhat limited success against fellow Asian giants India and Pakistan, with just 10 wickets combined in 16 outings against the two. His most prolific displays came in the 2008 edition, wherein the legend amassed 11 wickets in five matches.
#1 Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga narrowly edged out his compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan to end his playing career as the most successful bowler in the history of the Asia Cup. Notice how the top three bowlers are all Sri Lankan players?
Coming back to the speedster with the slingy action, his numbers in the tournament are simply mind-boggling. Malinga played in six editions of the Asia Cup from 2004 to 2018. In total, he took part in 15 matches and managed to inflict a staggering 33 dismissals. His tally of wickets includes two four-fers and three five-wicket hauls!
Despite his surreal bowling performances, the right-arm pacer could only win just two Asia Cup titles with Sri Lanka, in 2004 and 2014. He was utterly dominant in the 2014 edition, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps.