Top 3 spinners with highest wickets in ODI Asia Cup

The Asia Cup is back and for the first time in five years, it will be played in the ODI format. Being a world cup year, the importance of Asia Cup could prove to be massive for all the sides participating since it gives them a gist of multi-nation tournaments. 

Bowlers play a key part in any tournament and teams with some brilliant bowling line-ups have been able to win the tournament. Spinners tend to play a crucial role in Asia Cups since the tournament is usually held in the sub-continent region. Let’s take a look at the top 3 spinners with the highest wickets in the ODI Asia Cup.

1. Muttiah Muralidaran 

Muttiah Muralidaran, the spin wizard used to dominate batters like none other. His unorthodox action, used to trouble the batters a lot and on spinning tracks, it seemed improbable to take him on. 

Once he got his rhythm, it was just a matter of time before which the batter would be back in the pavilion. In 24 Asia Cup games, he has taken 30 wickets for an economy of 3.75 as well as an average of 28.83. He participated in Sri Lanka’s victories for the Asia Cup in 1997, 2004, and 2008.

2. Ajantha Mendis

Ajantha Mendis, even though had a short career, he was still able to create some magic moments for his side. He was known for taking wickets in a flurry and whenever he was introduced by the skipper, he would manage to scalp a few wickets for his side. His ability to break big partnerships was crucial to Sri Lanka’s cause on most occasions.

Mendis is second on this list of spinners with the most Asia Cup wickets. From 2008 to 2014, Mendis only played in 8 games but grabbed 26 wickets with an economy of 3.98, along with an average of 10.42. He led Sri Lanka to victories in the 2008 and 2014 editions of the Asia Cup as he was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

3. Saeed Ajmal

Saeed Ajmal was one of the most feared bowlers of his generation and was one of the biggest names in the Pakistan bowling line-up. He has the ability to run through the batters as well as  break partnerships at crucial junctures of the game which made him set out from the rest of the bowlers in the team.

Between 2008 and 2014, Ajmal got 25 wickets in 12 games for an average of 19.25 as well as a 4.21 economy rate. He was a member of Pakistan’s 2012 Asia Cup-winning squad.