Former Sri Lanka mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis holds the record for the best bowling figures in Asia Cup history. Menids took 6 wickets and conceded just 13 runs in the 2008 Asia Cup against India at the National Stadium, Karachi, on 6 July 2008.
Since the inaugural season of the Asia Cup, there have been some mind-blowing bowling figures and performances over the last 15 editions. Bowlers have produced special bowling spells at crucial times to give their team the upper hand in the match.
Best Bowling Figures in Asia Cup 2023 ODI
Mohammad Siraj has the best bowling figures of the 2023 Asia Cup so far. He took 6/21 against Sri Lanka in the Final of the tournament.
| Player | Bowling Figures | Team | Against | Venue |
| Mohammad Siraj | 6/21 | India | vs Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 5/25 | India | vs Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) |
| Dunith Wellalage | 5/40 | Sri Lanka | vs India | Colombo (RPS) |
| Charith Asalanka | 4/18 | Sri Lanka | vs India | Colombo (RPS) |
| Haris Rauf | 4/19 | Pakistan | vs Bangladesh | Lahore |
Top 10 Best Bowling Figures in Asia Cup (ODI)
As the 16th edition of the Asia Cup is about to finish on 17 September 2023, let us look at the top bowling performances that have entered the record books in 50-overs Asia Cup history.
| Player | Bowling Figures | Team | Against | Location | Year |
| Ajantha Mendis | 6/13 | Sri Lanka | vs India | Karachi | 2008 |
| Mohammad Siraj | 6/21 | India | vs Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 2023 |
| Aaqib Javed | 5/19 | Pakistan | vs India | Sharjah | 1995 |
| Arshad Ayub | 5/21 | India | vs Pakistan | Dhaka | 1988 |
| Ajantha Mendis | 5/22 | Sri Lanka | vs UAE | Lahore | 2008 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 5/25 | India | vs Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 2023 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 5/31 | Sri Lanka | vs Pakistan | Karachi | 2008 |
| Lasith Malinga | 5/34 | Sri Lanka | vs Pakistan | Dambulla | 2010 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | 5/38 | Pakistan | vs Bangladesh | Colombo (RPS) | 1997 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 5/40 | Sri Lanka | vs India | Colombo (RPS) | 2023 |
Also read: Lowest Score in Asia Cup History
1) Ajantha Mendis: 6/13 (Sri Lanka vs India, Karachi 2008)
Ajantha Mendis has the best bowling figures in the Asia Cup for the ODI format. The former Sri Lanka spinner’s match-winning spell of 6/13 helped Sri Lanka beat India by 100 runs in the Asia Cup 2008 Final. He took a remarkable 17 wickets in the whole tournament.
2) Mohammad Siraj: 6/21 (India vs Sri Lanka, Colombo 2023)
India's pacer Mohammad Siraj has the 2nd best bowling figures in Asia Cup history. Bowling first in the 2023 Final against Sri Lanka, Siraj opend the bowling and put on immediate pressure on the Sri Lanka batters, eventually getting out for 50 runs. This is the 4th best ODI bowling figures for India and overall best figures against Sri Lanka.
3) Aaqib Javed: 5/19 (Pakistan vs India, Sharjah 1995)
Pakistan’s former pacer Aaqib Javed holds the third-best bowling figures in Asia Cup history. Playing against arch-rivals India at the 1995 Asia Cup, Aaqib bowled a brilliant spell of 5/19 in his 9 overs and helped defeat India by a margin of 97 runs.
Also read: Most Wickets in Asia Cup 2023
4) Arshad Ayub: 5/21 (India vs Pakistan, Dhaka 1988)
On 31 October 1988, India’s Arshad Ayub registered the fourth-best bowling figures in Asia Cup history. Bowling first, Arshad’s inspired bowling of 5/21 helped India dismiss rivals Pakistan for 142 in 42.2 overs. India successfully chased the total with 4 wickets and 9 overs to spare.
5) Ajantha Mendis: 5/22 (Sri Lanka vs UAE, Lahore 2008)
Ajantha Mendis features for the second time on the list of top 5 bowling figures in the Asia Cup. Defending a target of 291 runs against UAE, Mendis took 5/22 in 6.2 overs and helped dismiss UAE for just 148 runs. He bettered the best figures (6/13) in the same tournament.
Top 5 Best Bowling Figures in Asia Cup (T20)
Here are the top 5 best bowling figures in the 20-overs Asia Cup history.
| Player | Bowling Figures | Team | Against | Location | Year |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 5/4 | India | vs Afghanistan | Dubai | 2022 |
| Shadab Khan | 4/8 | Pakistan | vs Hong Kong | Sharjah | 2022 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 4/17 | Afghanistan | vs Hong Kong | Mirpur | 2016 |
| Lasith Malinga | 4/26 | Sri Lanka | vs UAE | Mirpur | 2016 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 4/26 | India | vs Pakistan | Dubai | 2022 |
Also read: Asia Cup Winners and Runner-up List from 1984 to 2023
FAQs
What are the best bowling figures in Asia Cup 2023?
India's Mohammad Siraj 6 for 21 are the best bowling figures in the Asia ODI 2023. His spell came in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Sri Lanka were all out of just 50 runs.
What are the best bowling figures in Asia ODI Cup history?
Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis 6 for 13 are the best bowling figures in the Asia Cup history in ODI format. His spell came in the final of the Asia Cup 2008 against India in Karachi. Sri Lanka won the match by 100 runs.
What are the best bowling figures in Asia T20 Cup history?
India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5 for 4 are the best bowling figures in the Asia Cup history in T20 format. Defending a massive 212 runs, Bhuvneshwar’s brilliant spell helped India easily win by a margin of 101 runs.
Who are the bowlers with 5 wickets in an Asia Cup match?
Overall, bowlers have taken 5 wickets or more 15 times in the history of the ODI Asia Cup. Ajantha Mendis have 2 and Lasith Malinga have 3 five-wicket hauls in the Asia Cup. India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only one to take 5 wickets in the T20I Asia Cup.
Who is the best bowler in Asia Cup history?
Former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga is the best bowler in Asia Cup history. He has taken the most wickets (ODI and T20I combined) in the Asia Cup, 33 wickets in 15 matches. He has 2 four-wicket hauls and 3 five-wicket hauls.
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