The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 is simply across the nook, promising one other thrilling chapter within the match’s storied historical past. Scheduled to be held within the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to twenty-eight, the competitors will see eight groups battle it out within the shortest format. Defending champions India start their marketing campaign in opposition to hosts UAE on September 10, whereas followers eagerly await the blockbuster conflict in opposition to Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. With the occasion additionally serving as an important preparation floor for the 2026 T20 World Cup, it feels solely becoming to look again at a number of the best particular person bowling performances in Asia Cup T20 historical past.
Prime 5 greatest bowling figures in Asia Cup (T20 version)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (5/4 vs Afghanistan, 2022)
On the very high of the record stands Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s career-best 5 for 4 in opposition to Afghanistan through the 2022 Asia Cup. Performed on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium on September 8, this spell got here in a Tremendous 4 conflict the place India had already piled up 212 runs, due to Virat Kohli’s memorable 122*.
With the ball in hand, Bhuvneshwar produced a devastating show of swing bowling. Seam, motion, accuracy—he had all of it that evening. Afghanistan’s batting line-up crumbled in opposition to his variations, as outswingers kissed the sting and inswingers demolished stumps. So as to add to the dominance, he bowled a maiden over, underlining why he’s nonetheless thought-about one of the harmful new-ball operators in world cricket.
- Shadab Khan (4/8 vs Hong Kong, 2022)
Subsequent on the record is Shadab Khan’s unbelievable 4 for 8 in opposition to Hong Kong in Sharjah on September 2, 2022. Pakistan had already set 193 runs on the board, nevertheless it was Shadab’s wizardry that actually sealed the sport.
His spell lasted simply 2.4 overs, but it was sufficient to dismantle the opposition. The leg-spinner’s googly was unplayable on the evening, with three of his wickets coming off completely disguised mistaken’uns. Hong Kong’s batters regarded clueless, and Pakistan cruised to a 155-run victory—a win that secured their path to the Tremendous 4.
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- Mohammad Nabi (4/17 vs Hong Kong, 2016)
The 2016 version additionally gave followers a memorable spell, courtesy of Afghanistan’s talisman Mohammad Nabi. In a qualifying match at Mirpur on February 22, 2016, Nabi returned his best-ever T20I figures: 4 for 17.
Counting on flight, guile, and delicate variations in tempo, Nabi strangled Hong Kong’s batting unit. He bowled 12 dot balls in his four-over spell, with three dismissals coming off mistimed massive hits. That efficiency earned him the Participant of the Match award and strengthened his repute as Afghanistan’s reliable match-winner in crunch moments.
- Lasith Malinga (4/26 vs UAE, 2016)
Few bowlers in historical past have owned the loss of life overs fairly like Lasith Malinga, and his spell in opposition to UAE in 2016 was a reminder of that magic. Getting back from damage at Mirpur on February 25, 2016, Malinga rolled again the years with a scientific 4 for 26.
Defending a modest complete of simply 129, he struck twice within the opening over with inch-perfect yorkers. From there, he combined in his trademark slower deliveries, leaving UAE’s batters fully undone. Regardless of being within the twilight of his profession, Malinga proved why expertise and execution matter most below stress.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/26 vs Pakistan, 2022)
Finishing the highest 5 is one other gem from Bhuvneshwar, this time in opposition to arch-rivals Pakistan within the match opener on August 28, 2022. His spell of 4 for 26 was historic, making him the primary Indian bowler to assert a four-wicket haul in opposition to Pakistan in T20Is.
He started with the prized wicket of Babar Azam, earlier than returning on the loss of life to wipe out Khan, Asif Ali, and Naseem Shah. With Indian pacers accounting for all ten wickets within the innings, Bhuvneshwar’s effort stood out because the game-changer in a contest that at all times carries further weight.
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