The Asia Cup is an alternate 50-over and 20-over tournament organized under the aegis of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), involving top cricketing nations from Asia. Its first edition was held in 1984, and its latest edition is being organized in 2022. Pakistan is one of the participants in this tournament and has won the title twice so far. Here, in this article, we look at some of the best Pakistani players in the Asia Cup (50-over format) and their individual records.
1. Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik is a former right-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm orthodox bowler. Malik tops this list owing to his contribution both with the bat and the bowl. From 2000 to 2018, in 17 Asia Cup matches, Malik scored 786 runs at an average of 65.50, with three hundred and three fifties to his name. He also picked up 12 wickets at an average of 32.16.
2. Inzamam-ul-Haq
Next, we have the former Pakistan captain and a right-handed batter from Multan, Inzamam-ul-Haq. Inzamam was Pakistan’s premier batter in the middle order and was known for his timing and placement. He represented Pakistan in 15 Asia Cup games from 1995 to 2004 and scored 591 runs at an average of 59.10.
3. Saeed Ajmal
Next on the list is Pakistan’s spin king and mystery bowler, Saeed Ajmal. Ajmal was famous for his variations and his lethal "doosra". In 12 Asia Cup matches, he took 25 wickets, the most for any Pakistani bowler in the Asia Cup, at an average of 19.40 and an economy of 4.21.
4. Younis Khan
Younis Khan, a right-handed middle-order batter, is next to feature on the list. Younis played in 14 Asia Cup games from 2004 to 2012 and scored 546 runs at an average of 49.63. He also has two centuries, the second most for a Pakistani batter, and three fifties to his name.
5. Abdul Qadir
Abdul Qadir, a right-handed wrist spinner, is next on the list. Qadir featured in the Asia Cup from 1984 to 1988 in eight matches and took 17 wickets at an outstanding average of 14.76, with the best bowling figures of 3 for 15. He is the second highest wicket taker for Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
6. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s right-handed power hitter and leg break bowler, is next to show up on the list. Afridi is also a former Pakistan captain and a true veteran of Pakistan cricket. He represented Pakistan in the Asia Cup in 23 matches, the most for any Pakistani player, and scored 532 runs at an average of 35.46, and also took 14 wickets.
7. Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal, a former right-handed wicketkeeper, is the next to feature on the list. From 2010 to 2014, Akmal played in 12 Asia Cup matches only and amassed 510 runs at an impressive average of 51 and a strike rate of about 100. He has one hundred and four fifties to his name in the Asia Cup.
8. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram was a former left-arm fast bowler and Pakistan’s premier new ball bowler in the 90s. Akram featured in 12 Asia Cup matches from 1986 to 2000 and picked up 16 wickets at an average of 18.56 and an economy of 3.22. He has also bowled eight maiden overs, the joint most by any Pakistani bowler in the Asia Cup.
9. Abdul Razzaq
Next, we have Abdul Razzaq, one of Pakistan’s premier all-rounders in the 2000s. Razzaq played in 11 Asia Cup matches from 2000 to 2010 and took 16 wickets at a fantastic average of 20.18 and an economy of 4.28. He also scored 175 runs in nine innings at an average of 29.16.
10. Mohammad Yousuf
Mohammad Yousuf, a right-handed batter from Lahore, is next on the list. He was famous for his solid technique and elegance. Yousuf played in the Asia Cup from 2000 to 2008 in 14 matches and scored 490 runs at an impressive average of 54.44. He has one hundred and two fifties in the Asia Cup.
