Ind vs SL Asia Cup 2023 Final: Mohammed Siraj's and other best bowling figures in Asia Cup history

Ind vs SL Asia Cup 2023 Final: Asia Cup has seen some of the best bowling spells in its history. In the current edition of the tournament, India's Kuldeep Yadav and Sri Lankan Dunith Wellalge also came up with a haul of five wickets each. There have been many occasions when the bowlers impressed with their bowling skills and unleashed attacks on their rival batsmen during Asia Cup matches.

Former Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis holds the record for the best bowling figures in the history of the Asia Cup with a spell of 6 wickets for 13 runs against India in 2008.

As the Asia Cup 2023 moves to the final contest between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday (September 17), ZeeBiz brings to you the best bowling spells in the Asia Cup.

1. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka against India in 2008)

In the final of the Asia Cup 2008 in Karachi, Indian batsmen were no match for Mendis' bowling.

The Sri Lankan spinner took six wickets for 13 in 8 overs to power Sri Lanka to trounce India by 100 runs and win the trophy.

It was the same match where Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya scored 125 runs to help Sri Lanka score 273 runs.

Mendis then came to demolish India's batting attack with only Virender Sehwag scoring a 50.

2. Mohammed Siraj (India against India in 2023)

3. Aaqib Javed (Pakistan vs India in 1995)

Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed finished India's top order in the league match of the Asia Cup in Sharjah as the latter stuttered to a 97-run defeat. Javed ended the match with figures of 5 for 19 in nine overs to hand Pakistan an easy victory over their arch-rivals. 

4. Arshad Ayyub (India vs Pakistan in 1988)

Interestingly, India's best performance in the Asia Cup came from a bowler who was not a regular in the team.

Hyderabad bowler Arshad Ayyub finished Pakistan's middle and lower order to end up with the figures of 5 for 21 in an Asia Cup league match in Dhaka in 1988.

India beat Pakistan by four wickets in the match.

5. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka vs UAE, 2008)

Mendis had two bowling figures of five wickets and above in the 2008 Asia Cup.

While he took 6 wickets against India, he also took 5 wickets in a league match against the United Arab Emirates in Lahore. Mendis' 5 for 22 in 6.3 overs helped Sri Lanka demolish the UAE by 142 runs in the match. 

6. Kuldeep Yadav (India vs Pakistan, 2023)

Yadav's spell of five for 25 in 8 overs in a Super 4 match of the current Asia Cup edition never let Pakistan have the upper hand in the match. Chasing a mammoth 357-run target, Yadav played a key role in bundling up Pakistan to a meagre 128.

Other than these bowlers, Mutthiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga (thrice), Farveez Maharoof, Thisara Parera, and Wellalage, all from Sri Lanka, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Sohail Tanvir (both from Pakistan) have also taken five wickets each in an Asia Cup match.