Credit: BCCI/ACB
The Asia Cup contests could be dubbed as nothing else but much like the World Cup event for the Asian cricketing countries, if that makes some sense. Several teams from Southern Asia and the beating heart of the Asian sub-continent converge over a fortnight to battle hard in the mother of all sporting contests where it comes to Asia Cup. This time around, mega talented teams such as an Afghanistan and UAE would like to corner the established giants such as India, who enter the series, as prime favourites.
But having said that, a lethal component for each particular team contesting in the Asia Cup 2025, would be those who produce magic with the white ball and these are spinners and fast bowlers. Over the years, while Asia Cup has seen the magic with the bat from supremos like Rohit, Virat, Babar and the likes, it has been some trailblazing talents with the white ball who have upped the ante of attack and contests for their respective teams. But that being told, let us pause for a moment to appreciate the bowlers with most wickets in Asia Cup history in T20Is.
Let's take a look at list of bowlers with the most wickets in Asia Cup history in T20I format:
1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar - 13 wickets
The legendary Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the name that tops the list of talents where it comes to the bowlers with most wickets in Asia Cup history in T20Is. He has, as on date, picked 13 Asia Cup wickets in all the T20 contests he's played, having featured in six matches. He featured for India during the 2016-2022 Asia Cup T20I phase and during this time, the thinking fast bowler maintained an economy of 5.34 in all contests of Asia Cup.
This is truly legendary. Truth be told, India does need a man who can move the ball as avidly and consistently as Indian state Uttar Pradesh's Bhuvneshwar Kumar!
2. Amjad Javed - 12 wickets
The experienced Amjad Javed, who is a 45-year-old cricketer today, once bowled with resplendent success and great effect for his UAE team. However, his last ever or most recent contest for the UAE team in this particular format (T20I) came in the year 2017. He took 33 overall wickets in the game's brifest format of which 12 came in the Asia Cup, proving his success in the eminent competition.
3. Mohd Naveed - 11 wickets
One of the most successful bowlers with a penchant for wicket taking where it comes to the Asia Cup T20Is is UAE's former cricketer Mohd. Naveed. With 11 wickets in the premier Asia-bound ICC tournament, Naveed prove himself to be a quality match-winning wicket taker in the eminent contest.
However, his T20I career seemed to wane out for UAE, given the very fact that the last time he was seen in the format for a contest for his UAE side was in 2019.
Back in August of 2019, playing a T20I for his country at The Hague, Naveed bowled his last ever international spell for the UAE cricket team, which continues to make impressive strides in international cricket.
4. Rashid Khan - 11 wickets
The game always loves an avid and richly talented leg spinner and in the form of Rashid Khan, the true Pathan of the game, cricket has found a huge star. Unarguably speaking, the most legendary cricketer in all of Afghanistan team, Khan has already picked 11 Asia Cup wickets where it comes to T20I contests and this time around too, he would be playing a key part for his country's success alongside big names such as Gulbadin Naib, Nabi, Zadran and Gurbaz.
5. Hardik Pandya - 11 wickets
One of the game's most admirable and quality all rounders, Hardik Pandya has bowled, as on date, 30 overs in the T20I contests featured in Asia Cup games. He has bowled 29.3 overs, to be precise.
That said, with 11 wickets he happens to be among the bowlers with most wickets in Asia Cup history in T20Is. His experience and match winning talent will once again rise to a good cause, one hopes, in the Asia Cup contests for India this time around.
