Ahead of the
Asia Cup, a look at the top five wicket-takers in the tournament:
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From 1995 to 2010, Sri Lanka bowling wizard Muttiah Muralitharan played 24 Asia Cup matches. He has taken 30 wickets in the tournament overall at an incredible economy rate of 3.75, giving away just 865 runs. Murali's best figures at the Asia Cup were 5/31. He bowled a total of 230.2 overs, with 13 maidens.
LASITH MALINGA (2004-2016)
This list is dominated by Sri Lankans. At Number 2 is Lasith Malinga. From 2004 to the last edition in 2016, the Sri Lankan fast bowler took 28 wickets in 13 Asia Cup matches at an average of 19.03. The fast bowler with the unique sling-arm action has an Asia Cup economy rate of 4.75. He has bowled a total of 112.1 overs and given away 533 runs. In the 2014 final in Dhaka, Malinga took 5/56 against Pakistan to help Sri Lanka clinch the title.
AJANTHA MENDIS (2008-2014)
At Number 3 is one time mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis. From 2008-2014, the army man took a total of 26 Asia Cup wickets, at an economy rate of 3.98. Mendis incredibly has played just 8 Asia Cup matches. His best figures, which were also his career-best figures were a mind-boggling 6/13. It was registered against India in the 2008 final in Karachi. Mendis foxed the Indian batsmen completely and took the wickets of
Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh,
Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan and RP Singh as India were bowled out for 173, handing Sri Lanka a huge 100-run win and the title.
SAEED AJMAL (2008-2014)
At number 4 is the only non-Sri Lankan bowler on this list. Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal played 12 Asia Cup matches between 2008 and 2014. The off-spinner took 25 wickets at an economy rate of 4.21. In the 2014 Asia Cup final in Dhaka, which Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka by 5 wickets, Ajmal took 3/26.
CHAMINDA VAAS (1995-2008)
At Number 5 is legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas. From 1995 to 2008, Vaas played 19 Asia Cup matches. He took a total of 23 wickets in the tournament, at an economy rate of 4.19. Vaas bowled a total of 152.2 overs with 20 maidens. The one-time Sri Lankan pace bowling spearhead was part of 3 Asia Cup winning Lankan teams of 1997, 2004 and 2008.