The Asia Cup has been a stage for thrilling cricketing battles — not just for batsmen, but also for bowlers who have turned matches on their heads with brilliant spells. From Ajantha Mendis’ magic in the 2008 final to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s destructive swing bowling in 2022, the tournament has seen some record-breaking bowling performances.
This article covers everything about the best bowling figures in Asia Cup history, including T20 and ODI formats, updated with the latest stats from the 2023 and upcoming 2025 editions.
Why Bowling Records Matter in Asia Cup
While the Asia Cup often grabs attention for batting records, it’s the bowlers who have changed the course of many crucial games. Match-winning spells in low-scoring thrillers, five-wicket hauls in pressure finals, and economical spells that suffocate batting line-ups have shaped the tournament’s legacy.
Best Bowling Figures in T20 Asia Cup
Record-Breaking Performance
The best bowling figures in T20 Asia Cup history belong to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who scalped 5 wickets for just 4 runs against Afghanistan in Dubai (2022). This spell remains the only five-wicket haul in T20 Asia Cup history, and his economy rate of 1.00 is also the lowest for any bowler with a five-wicket haul in the tournament.
Key Highlights
- Wrist-spin dominance: Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nabi have produced brilliant spells, breaking partnerships and running through middle orders.
- Pace brilliance in finals: Pramod Madushan’s 4/34 against Pakistan in the 2022 final helped Sri Lanka lift the trophy.
- Associate teams shining: Oman’s Aamir Kaleem also finds his name in the top list with a 4-wicket haul against UAE in 2016.
Top 10 Best Bowling Figures – Asia Cup (T20I)
| Rank | Player | Figures | Economy | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (IND) | 5/4 | 1.00 | Afghanistan | Dubai (DICS) | 2022 |
| 2 | Shadab Khan (PAK) | 4/8 | 3.00 | Hong Kong | Sharjah | 2022 |
| 3 | Mohammad Nabi (AFG) | 4/17 | 4.25 | Hong Kong | Mirpur | 2016 |
| 4 | Lasith Malinga (SL) | 4/26 | 6.50 | UAE | Mirpur | 2016 |
| 5 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (IND) | 4/26 | 6.50 | Pakistan | Dubai (DICS) | 2022 |
| 6 | Pramod Madushan (SL) | 4/34 | 8.50 | Pakistan | Dubai (DICS) | 2022 |
| 7 | Aamir Kaleem (OMA) | 4/36 | 9.00 | UAE | Mirpur | 2016 |
| 8 | Mohammad Nawaz (PAK) | 3/5 | 2.50 | Hong Kong | Sharjah | 2022 |
| 9 | Hardik Pandya (IND) | 3/8 | 2.28 | Pakistan | Mirpur | 2016 |
| 10 | Nuwan Kulasekara (SL) | 3/10 | 2.50 | UAE | Mirpur | 2016 |
Read more: Highest Strike Rates in Asia Cup History
Best Bowling Figures in ODI Asia Cup
Iconic Spells
The best bowling figures in Asia Cup history (ODI) are by Ajantha Mendis, who registered an astonishing 6/13 against India in the 2008 final in Karachi. His spell single-handedly won Sri Lanka the Asia Cup and remains one of the greatest bowling performances in ODI cricket.
In recent times, Mohammed Siraj’s 6/21 in the 2023 final against Sri Lanka is regarded as one of the most impactful spells in Asia Cup finals history, dismissing Sri Lanka for just 50 runs and giving India a comfortable win.
Key Highlights
- Spin magic: Mendis’ mystery spin destroyed India twice in 2008, earning him two five-fors in one edition.
- Pace supremacy: Mohammed Siraj, Lasith Malinga, and Kuldeep Yadav showcased how pace and spin both have dominated the Asia Cup.
- Five-fors against Pakistan: Malinga holds a unique record of taking three five-wicket hauls, all against Pakistan.
Top 10 Best Bowling Figures – Asia Cup (ODI)
| Rank | Player | Figures | Economy | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 6/13 | 1.62 | India | Karachi | 2008 |
| 2 | Mohammed Siraj (IND) | 6/21 | 3.00 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 2023 |
| 3 | Aaqib Javed (PAK) | 5/19 | 2.11 | India | Sharjah | 1995 |
| 4 | Arshad Ayub (IND) | 5/21 | 2.33 | Pakistan | Dhaka | 1988 |
| 5 | Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 5/22 | 3.38 | UAE | Lahore | 2008 |
| 6 | Kuldeep Yadav (IND) | 5/25 | 3.12 | Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 2023 |
| 7 | Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 5/31 | 3.10 | Bangladesh | Karachi | 2008 |
| 8 | Lasith Malinga (SL) | 5/34 | 3.40 | Pakistan | Dambulla | 2010 |
| 9 | Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) | 5/38 | 4.00 | Bangladesh | Colombo (RPS) | 1997 |
| 10 | Dunith Wellalage (SL) | 5/40 | 4.00 | India | Colombo (RPS) | 2023 |
Like to know? Most Wickets in Asia Cup History (ODI & T20I)
Impact of These Bowling Spells
These spells not only turned matches but also defined careers.
- Mendis’ 6/13 remains a masterclass in spin bowling.
- Siraj’s 6/21 gave India one of the biggest Asia Cup final victories ever.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/4 proved that swing bowling is still effective in T20s, even on flat UAE pitches.
Read more: Top 10 Most Dangerous Bowlers in World
Conclusion
The Asia Cup has always been a tournament where pressure brings out the best in bowlers. Whether it’s Mendis’ mystery spin, Malinga’s yorkers, or Bhuvneshwar’s magical swing, these spells have not just been match-winning — they have become legendary moments in Asian cricket history.
With the Asia Cup 2025 on the horizon, fans are eager to see which bowler will etch their name in the record books next.
