Asian Games 2026: Top 3 wicket-takers

India claimed the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at Nisshin on October 3, 2026. Batting first, India posted 211/6 before restricting Pakistan to 192/6 to seal the title.

While the batters drew attention, several bowlers made a significant impact across the tournament.

Here are the top 3 wicket-takers of the Asian Games 2026:

3. Axar Patel (India) – four wickets

India’s Axar Patel also finished with four wickets across two matches, conceding 37 runs from seven overs at a bowling average of 9.25. He did not record a four-wicket or five-wicket haul but contributed steadily throughout India’s gold medal campaign. In the final against Pakistan on October 3, 2026, Axar claimed two of his four tournament wickets.

Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube also took two wickets each in that match as India kept Pakistan to 192/6 in reply to their total of 211/6. Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz made 96 off 51 balls and was dismissed off the final delivery of the match. Axar’s consistent bowling across the competition played a part in India lifting the gold medal at Nisshin.

2. Kushal Bhurtel (Nepal) – four wickets

Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel finished joint second on the wicket-takers list with four wickets in two matches, conceding 21 runs from four overs at a bowling average of 5.25. He also recorded one four-wicket haul, which came in Nepal’s group-stage win over Afghanistan. Bhurtel took 4/21 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 102/7 in 20 overs, with Nepal chasing down the target of 103 in 17.2 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Bhurtel had already shown his all-round credentials earlier in the year, finishing as Player of the Series and the leading run-scorer with 340 runs at the 2026 Men’s Asian Games Qualifier held in Singapore from May 31 to June 8, 2026. His bowling performance at the main event added another dimension to his reputation.

1. Arab Gul Momand (Afghanistan) – Five wickets

Arab Gul Momand finished as the leading wicket-taker of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition, claiming five wickets across two matches at a bowling average of 4.20. He conceded just 21 runs from 7.2 overs and recorded one four-wicket haul during the tournament. Afghanistan played two group-stage matches, beating Japan by 48 runs on September 24, 2026, with Afghanistan posting 129/6 against Japan’s 81 in 19.3 overs.

In their other group game, Afghanistan were restricted to 102/7 in 20 overs and lost to Nepal by five wickets, with Nepal reaching 103/5 in 17.2 overs. Despite Afghanistan’s early exit, Arab Gul’s economy and wicket-taking ability made him the standout bowler of the competition.