In this article, we take a closer look at several monumental innings and the players with the highest individual score in Asia Cup history, reliving the glory and impact they had on the tournament.
The Asia Cup, a battleground of cricketing titans, has witnessed some of the most iconic individual performances in the sport's history. Among these memorable moments are the astonishing high scores etched into the record books by some of the game's greatest batsmen.
From Virat Kohli's remarkable 183 to Shoaib Malik's resilient 125*, these innings have been etched into the cricketing folklore of the Asia Cup.
Contents
- 1 Highest individual score in Asia Cup
- 1.1 Virat Kohli – 183 vs Pakistan in Mirpur, 2012
- 1.2 Younis Khan – 144 vs Hong Kong in Colombo, 2004
- 1.3 Mushfiqur Rahim – 144 vs Sri Lanka in Dubai, 2018
- 1.4 Shoaib Malik – 143 vs India in Colombo, 2004
- 1.5 Virat Kohli – 136 vs Bangladesh in Fatullah, 2014
- 1.6 Sourav Ganguly – 135* vs Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2000
- 1.7 Arjuna Ranatunga – 131* vs India in Colombo in 1997
- 1.8 Sanath Jayasuriya – 130 vs India in Colombo, 2004, and 130 vs Bangladesh in Karachi
- 1.9 Shikhar Dhawan – 127 vs Hong Kong in Dubai, 2018
- 1.10 Shoaib Malik – 125* vs India in Karachi, 2008
Highest individual score in Asia Cup
Virat Kohli – 183 vs Pakistan in Mirpur, 2012
The year was 2012, and the stage was set for an India-Pakistan showdown in the Asia Cup. In a high-pressure encounter, Virat Kohli produced an innings for the ages.
His unbeaten 183 not only secured India's victory but also became the highest individual score in Asia Cup history. His knock helped India in chasing down a mammoth target of 330 with 13 balls and six wickets to spare.
Kohli's masterful knock was studded with 22 boundaries, showcasing his impeccable timing and ability to control an innings.
It was an innings that left fans on both sides of the border in awe and solidified Kohli's status as one of the world's premier batsmen.
Younis Khan – 144 vs Hong Kong in Colombo, 2004
No. 2 in the list of highest individual score in Asia Cup is Younis Khan's 144 In the 2004 edition of the tournament. The elegant Pakistani batter delivered a stunning performance against Hong Kong that was a masterclass in classical batting.
Younis Khan's ability to find gaps and play shots with finesse was on full display, with 12 boundaries and 4 sixes to his name.
His contribution played a pivotal role in Pakistan's commanding victory, helping them to win by a massive margin of 173 runs.
Mushfiqur Rahim – 144 vs Sri Lanka in Dubai, 2018
The 2018 Asia Cup witnessed Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim crafting a remarkable innings against Sri Lanka. His composed 144 was a testament to his ability to anchor an innings under pressure and is still the best knock by a Bangladeshi batter in the list of highest individual score in Asia Cup.
Rahim's innings came when Bangladesh needed it the most as they had lost two wickets with just a run on the board. His knock included 11 boundaries and four sixes, and propeled them to a total of 261.
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It was an innings that showcased his class and ability to deliver on the big stage, earning him a special place in Asia Cup history. Bangladesh later bowled out Sri Lanka for 124 to register a massive win.
Shoaib Malik – 143 vs India in Colombo, 2004
In the 2004 Asia Cup clash against India, Shoaib Malik etched his name into the annals of cricket history with a heroic innings of 143. His gritty knock, comprising 18 boundaries and one six, was a display of determination and skill.
It played a crucial role in Pakistan's victory and left a lasting memory in the minds of cricket fans. The dashing batter walked in to bat at the fall of Imran Nazir's wicket in the second over of the innings and kept on batting until the 46th over.
Malik's knock helped Pakistan in reaching 300/9 in their 50 overs, which proved to be too much for an Indian batting lineup that managed only 241 runs in their 50 overs. Malik's resilience in the face of a formidable Indian bowling attack made this innings truly special.
Virat Kohli – 136 vs Bangladesh in Fatullah, 2014
King Kohli's name is there in the list of highest individual score in Asia Cup ince again. Kohli's penchant for chasing down targets was on full display in the 2014 Asia Cup. His brilliant 136 against Bangladesh showcased his ability to control an innings with finesse.
Kohli's innings helped India in chasing down 280 with an over and six wickets to spare. His knock featured 16 boundaries and two sixes, and it was a match-winning effort that propelled India to a memorable victory.
It was yet another example of Kohli's mastery in run chases, solidifying his reputation as one of the world's best.
Sourav Ganguly – 135* vs Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2000
Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, left an indelible mark on the 2000 Asia Cup with an unforgettable innings against Bangladesh. His unbeaten 135* was a masterclass in limited-overs batting and was the best knock by an Indian batter in the list of highest individual score in Asia Cup before Kohli.
Ganguly's innings, studded with 6 boundaries and 7 sixes, was a display of controlled aggression that set the stage for India's victory. Chasing 250, Ganguly went on a rampage, smashing the Bangladeshi bowlers all over the park.
His knock helped India in chasing down the target with 59 deliveries and eight wickets to spare.
It remains one of the highest individual scores in Asia Cup history, a testament to Ganguly's prowess as a batsman and a leader.
Arjuna Ranatunga – 131* vs India in Colombo in 1997
Sri Lankan stalwart Arjuna Ranatunga delivered a match-winning performance against India in the 1997 Asia Cup and it still stands tall as the best knock by a Sri Lankan batter in the list of highest individual score in Asia Cup history.
His unbeaten 131* was a masterful display of controlled aggression and captaincy. Ranatunga's innings, featuring 17 boundaries, steered Sri Lanka to victory with more than five overs to spare.
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He walked in to bat at the fall of two quick wickets early in Sri Lanka's innings and went on to deliver a chasing masterclass after that, etching his name in Asia Cup folklore.
It was a defining moment in his career and showcased his ability to lead from the front in high-pressure situations.
Sanath Jayasuriya – 130 vs India in Colombo, 2004, and 130 vs Bangladesh in Karachi
Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan dynamo, was a force to be reckoned with in the Asia Cup. In the 2004 edition, he blazed his way to a stunning 130 against India, showcasing his explosive batting prowess.
Jayasuriya's innings, decorated with 14 boundaries and a six, left spectators in awe. His ability to dominate bowlers made him a standout performer in the tournament.
Sri Lanka still went on to lose the match, despite Jayasuriya's masterful knock. There wasn't much support from the other Lankan batters as they lost the match by four runs.
Jayasuriya repeated this feat in the 2008 Asia Cup against Bangladesh, once again scoring 130, and further solidifying his status as a cricketing legend. This knock came off just 88 deliveries, which sums up the aggressive mood he was in that day.
His knock was laced with 16 fours and six sixes, and he also formed a 201-run opening stand with Kumar Sangakkara. Sri Lanka scored 332 and bowled Bangladesh out for 174 later on, winning the match by 158 runs.
Shikhar Dhawan – 127 vs Hong Kong in Dubai, 2018
Shikhar Dhawan, India's prolific opener, left an indelible mark on the 2018 Asia Cup with his superb innings of 127 against Hong Kong. He is the third Indian batter in this list of highest individual score in Asia Cup history, after Kohli and Ganguly.
His sublime strokeplay, comprising 15 boundaries and 2 sixes, was a treat for cricket fans. Dhawan's century set the tone for a successful campaign for the Indian team, and his ability to find gaps and rotate the strike was on full display.
Dhawan's knock was very important in the context of the match as the highest scorr by an Indian batter after him was Ambati Rayudu's 60.
His knock helped India in defeating Hong Kong by 26 runs, a margin that was expected to be far more considering the superior quality of the Indian team.
It was an innings that exemplified his class and dominance at the top of the order.
Shoaib Malik – 125* vs India in Karachi, 2008
Shoaib Malik's heroics with the bat continued in the 2008 Asia Cup when he played an unbeaten innings of 125* against arch-rivals India.
His calculated aggression, with 16 boundaries and a six, ensured Pakistan's victory in a high-pressure encounter. Malik's innings showcased his ability to absorb pressure and deliver when it mattered most.
It remains one of the most memorable performances in Asia Cup history, a testament to Malik's skill and temperament. However, Pakistan still went on to lose the match as Virender Sehwag's 119 and Suresh Raina's 84
These exceptional innings not only contributed to their respective teams' success but also left an indelible mark in the list of highest individual score in Asia Cup.
Whether it's the class of Kohli, the elegance of Khan, or the explosiveness of Jayasuriya, these performances have added a layer of prestige to the Asia Cup.
As we eagerly anticipate the next edition of this prestigious tournament, cricket enthusiasts can't help but wonder if another batsman will rise to the occasion and etch their name into the list of highest individual score in Asia Cup with a historic innings that will be talked about for years to come.
