Best All-Rounders in the Asia Cup

Sanath Jayasuriya, born on 30 June 1969 in Matara, is remembered as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers and one of the finest all-rounders in Asia Cup history. He made his ODI debut in 1989 and soon changed the way one-day cricket was played. Over his career, he scored more than 22,000 international runs and took over 400 wickets, while in the Asia Cup alone, he registered 1,220 runs and 22 wickets, both tournament records. In the 1997 edition, his batting and bowling were central to Sri Lanka’s title win, and he repeated his impact in 2004 and 2008. Jayasuriya retired from international cricket in 2011, but his records in the Asia Cup still stand as benchmarks for future generations.

Shakib Al Hasan, born on 24 March 1987, is often called Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer. He made his debut in 2006 and went on to become the first player to hold the ICC No. 1 all-rounder ranking in all three formats. In Asia Cup history, Shakib played across nine editions and made his mark with both bat and ball. In 2012, he scored 237 runs and took six wickets, winning the Player of the Tournament award as Bangladesh reached their first-ever final. Across his Asia Cup career, he scored 402 runs and took 19 wickets, and his role as captain in later years underlined his importance. Even in 2023, when Bangladesh could not reach the final, Shakib’s leadership and all-around contributions remained vital for his side.

Ajantha Mendis, born on 11 March 1985, earned fame as Sri Lanka’s “mystery spinner.” He made his debut in 2008 and stunned the cricketing world during that year’s Asia Cup. In just one tournament, he took 17 wickets at an average of 8.52, still the most by any bowler in a single edition. In the final against India, Mendis produced one of the greatest spells in Asia Cup history, taking 6 for 13 and guiding Sri Lanka to the title. He continued to play in later editions, though his impact declined after 2012. By 2015, he had lost his place in the side, but his 2008 performance remains one of the most remarkable campaigns the tournament has ever seen.

Shahid Afridi, born on 1 March 1980, became famous for his fearless batting and later for his match-winning spells with the ball. He announced himself in 1996 with a record 37-ball century, and over his career, he scored more than 11,000 runs and took over 500 wickets. In the Asia Cup, Afridi played across seven editions and was often the center of attention. His best came in 2010 when he scored 265 runs, took three wickets, and was named Player of the Tournament. Known for his six-hitting ability, Afridi produced unforgettable moments against India and other rivals, including late-innings strikes that turned matches in Pakistan’s favor. He retired from international cricket in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of power and unpredictability.

Angelo Mathews, born on 2 June 1987, has been one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable all-rounders of the modern era. He made his debut in 2008 and built a reputation as a steady middle-order batsman and a useful medium pacer. His contributions grew during his captaincy years between 2013 and 2015, and he was a key figure in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup win in 2014. In the 2023 edition, Mathews returned as an injury replacement and played essential matches in the Super Four stage. Although Sri Lanka lost the final to India, his experience and calm presence helped guide the younger players. Over the years, Mathews’s ability to adapt to different roles has made him a cornerstone of his team.

Wanindu Hasaranga, born on 29 July 1997, represents the new generation of Sri Lankan cricket. Known for his leg-spin and attacking batting down the order, he became one of the stars of the Asia Cup 2022. In that tournament, he scored 66 runs and took nine wickets, including a decisive 3 for 27 in the final against Pakistan. His performance earned him the Player of the Tournament award as Sri Lanka lifted the trophy. Hasaranga is also a regular in global T20 leagues, including the IPL, where he has built a reputation as a match-winner. Injury kept him out of the Asia Cup 2023, and his absence weakened Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, particularly in the final against India.

Sachin Tendulkar, born on 24 April 1973, is widely recognized as the greatest batsman in cricket. Across a career of more than two decades, he scored over 34,000 runs and a record 100 centuries. In the Asia Cup, Tendulkar played 23 matches and scored 971 runs, which makes him the third-highest run-scorer in tournament history. He also took 17 wickets with his part-time bowling, often breaking partnerships at key moments. Tendulkar played essential roles in India’s Asia Cup triumphs in 1990, 1995, and 2010. His calm presence at the crease gave confidence to millions of fans, and his legacy in the Asia Cup remains strong even after his retirement in 2013.

Shoaib Malik, born on 1 February 1982, had one of the longest careers among Pakistani players, spanning more than twenty years. He debuted in 1999 as a batsman and off-spinner and went on to score over 11,000 international runs with around 200 wickets. Malik appeared in six Asia Cup editions, starting in 2000, and became a consistent performer for Pakistan. His runs in the 2004 and 2008 editions were vital, and he often bowled crucial overs in the middle stages of matches. Malik retired from international cricket in 2021, but his role as a dependable all-rounder in Asia Cup history is still remembered.

Mohammad Nabi, born on 1 January 1985, is the most experienced cricketer from Afghanistan and has been central to the team’s rise on the international stage. He debuted in 2009 and has since scored more than 5,000 runs and taken over 250 wickets in international cricket. In the Asia Cup 2018, he guided Afghanistan to wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, underlining the team’s growing stature. In 2023, he again played essential roles in matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, even though Afghanistan could not progress past the group stage. Nabi’s leadership and his ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him a symbol of Afghan cricket in the Asia Cup.

Azmatullah Omarzai, born on 24 March 2000, is seen as the future of Afghan cricket. A medium pacer and powerful lower-order batsman, he broke into the team in 2022 and quickly gained attention. In the Asia Cup 2022, he impressed with both bat and ball, and in 2023, he played key innings against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, including a half-century that pushed Afghanistan close to victory. His bowling also brought significant breakthroughs, and this makes him one of the brightest young players in the region. By 2024, he rose to No. 1 in the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings, a sign of his rapid progress. For Afghanistan, Omarzai represents a new era where the team relies on youth and ambition to challenge more vigorous opponents.