Asia Cup records that could be broken in 2025

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup is set to be played from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the T20 format, giving an opportunity for some of the teams to prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup.

Eight teams are participating in the 2025 Asia Cup. They have been divided into two groups consisting of four teams each. India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman are placed in Group A, while Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong find themselves in Group B.

The Asia Cup is regarded as one of the most important tournaments in the sport. The inaugural edition was contested in 1984. In 2016, the tournament was held in the T20 format for the first time. Since the tournament’s inception, there have been some splendid performances. On that note, let’s look at some Asia Cup records that could be broken this season.

Asia Cup records that could be broken in 2025:

Most runs in T20 Asia Cup

Virat Kohli currently holds the record for scoring the most runs in the Asia Cup in the T20 format. In 10 matches, he has amassed 429 runs at an average of 85.80 and a strike rate of 132. If Afghanistan’s vice-captain Ibrahim Zadran has a great campaign with the bat, he can just surpass Kohli’s tally of runs.

Zadran has 196 runs from five matches at an average of 65.33 and a strike rate of 104.25. However, he has improved his T20 game since the last edition of the Asia Cup, which was held in the T20 format in 2022. Zadran will open the batting, and if he aggregates 233 runs in the tournament will take him past the former India captain.

Most wickets in T20 Asia Cup

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has picked up 13 wickets in six matches in the Asia Cup in the T20 format. He is the leading wicket-taker. However, in the 2025 edition of the tournament, there are quite a few contenders to break his record.

Talismanic Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya have taken 11 wickets apiece. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz are also in the race, having taken eight wickets each.

Highest individual score (T20s)

Virat Kohli holds the record for the highest individual score in the T20 Asia Cups. He achieved the feat when he amassed 122 against Afghanistan in the 2022 edition in Dubai. The only other batter who has recorded a 100-plus score in T20 Asia Cups is Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat, who also made 122 against Oman in 2016.

With several talented batters in the tournament this year, it won’t come as a big surprise if one of them gets past the score of 122. However, the surfaces in the UAE are not always easy for stroke-making and that will go against the batters.

Most runs in a single edition of Asia Cup

Legendary Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya holds the record for the most runs in Asia Cup history. He scored 378 runs in the tournament in 2008, but that was played in the ODI format. In T20Is, however, the most runs in a single edition were aggregated by Mohammad Rizwan (281).

This record can be broken, especially because teams which will make it to the Super Four stage will at least get six matches. If a player registers a couple of big scores, going past the 281-run mark won’t be too difficult.

First Team to win multiple Asia Cups in T20 format

While India are eight-time Asia Cup winners, they have only been able to emerge victorious once in the T20 format. Sri Lanka have also won the T20 Asia Cup once. If either India or Sri Lanka win this year, they will become the first team to lift the coveted title in the T20 format twice.

India won the inaugural edition in 2016 by beating Bangladesh in the final under the captaincy of legendary captain MS Dhoni. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka won the 2022 edition of the tournament in 2022, getting the better of Pakistan in the summit clash, where the Lankan Lions were led by star all-rounder Dasun Shanaka.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.