Best bowling figures in Asia Cup history
The 15th edition of the Asia Cup began on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and it will only be the second time, since 2016, the T20 format will be used in the tournament. India won the last edition in 2018, winning their seventh title overall.
Sri Lanka have won the Asia Cup five times and Pakistan have won it two times. In the Asia Cup 2022, India, Pakistan and the qualifying team, Hong Kong, are in Group A. And Group B consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The final will be held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 11.
This competition has provided some iconic moments with some memorable performances. Since it first took off in 1984, fans have witnessed some remarkable performances such as Virat Kohli’s unbeaten knock of 183, Mohammad Amir’s special bowling spell of three wickets for 18, and many more.
Here are the three best bowling figures in Asia Cup history:
3. Arshad Ayub (India) – 5/21
In October 1988 in Dhaka, Indian off-spinner Arshad Ayub spearheaded a Pakistani collapse, bundling the Men in Green out for only 142 from being 91 for the loss of one wicket at one stage. On a slow wicket, winning the toss was important, and Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar, who won the toss, rightly elected to bat first. Pakistan, after both the openers scored over 30, surrendered to Ayub, who bagged five wickets for only 21 runs in nine overs. India chased down the target of 143 in 45 overs with four wickets in hand.
2. Aaqib Javed (Pakistan) – 5/19
In the third match of the Asia Cup 1995, India faced off with Pakistan, and Pakistan skipper Moin Khan won the toss and elected to bat first. Moin’s men put up a strong batting performance, scoring 266 for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs. Inzamam-ul-Haq starred with the bat, scoring 88 off 100 balls.
India’s chase never set afloat as pacer Aaqib Javed dismissed both Indian openers early on. Navjot Sidhu and Sanjay Manjrekar scored fifties later on, but Javed’s spell of five wickets for 19 runs in nine overs with a maiden proved to be too good for Mohammad Azharuddin’s side. As a result, India were bowled out for 169 in 42.4 overs.
- Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 6/13
Sri Lanka locked horns with India in Karachi in the Asia Cup 2008 final, and MS Dhoni elected to field first after winning the toss. Sri Lanka scored a well-made 273, steered by their star batter Sanath Jayasuriya, who scored 125 off 114 balls, with nine fours and five sixes.
Indian opener Virender Sehwag took India off to a flyer, scoring 60 off 36 balls. However, once the ball was handed to the mystery off-spinner, Ajantha Mendis, the Indians came crashing down, surrendering to Mendis, who finished with a staggering six wickets for 13 runs in eight overs. India were all-out for 173, and Sri Lanka won the title.
