The Asia Cup returns this year with the tournament taking place in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. India currently holds the record for winning the Asia Cup 7 times, followed by Sri Lanka next at 6 wins. This tournament at times goes under the radar but the competition inside is fierce. In 2023, the Asia Cup comes at a great time as these team treat this tournament as a warm-up to the 2023 World Cup.
We’ve been privileged to see some amazing games at the Asia Cup which forever stays in our mind and the byproduct of those great games comes some fantastic innings. Below we review 5 of the top scores in Asia Cup history.
Also Check : Most Wickets in Asia Cup History
5) Shoaib Malik 143 vs India (2004)
Shoaib Malik (Source: Twitter)
In this of India vs Pakistan contest, Pakistan was victorious with Shoaib Malik’s brilliant innings of 143. Played in the 2004 Asia cup, Pakistan batted first and made 300/9. India were never in the run chase and lost the match by 59 runs, with only Sachin Tendulkar making 78. Malik’s love with making runs against India continued for many years to come.
Malik’s innings of 143 came at SR of 112, which included 18 fours and 1 six. India came in with a good bowling lineup which had Kumle, Harbhajan, Nehra, Pathan and Balaji. Malik came in 3rd after Pakistan lost a wicket early but steadied the ship until the 46th over when he got out. Other batsman batted around him, and his score clearly marked how batsmen from both teams couldn’t get a score anywhere near his.
In all ODI Asia cup games between India and Pakistan, Shoaib Malik is the highest run-scorer in India vs Pakistan, with 428 runs from five games, including 2 hundreds. In the ODIs, India have won 7 of the 13 games played with Pakistan.
4) Mushfiqur Rahim 144 vs Sri Lanka (2018)
Mushfiqur Rahim (Source: Twitter)
Mushfiqur Rahim’s excellent knock of 144 came in the same innings where Bangladesh had lost 2 wickets in the first over, Tamin Iqbal had to retire hurt after 2 overs, the total team score was 261, and yet Bangladesh still won the game by 137 runs. What started as a terrible day for Bangladesh went onto be a fantastic day and this score remained Mushfiqur Rahim’s highest ODI score.
As mentioned above, Bangladesh got off to a terrible start, but Rahim’s patient knock guided the team to a total of 261. His innings included 11 fours and 4 sixes. Rahim’s innings contributed to 55% of the total team score which remains a record for Bangladesh still to this day.
Bangladesh made the final of 2018 Asia cup where they eventually lost to India but this progress to reach a final emphasizes the big strides they are making in world cricket. Gone are the days where they are beating big teams on a scattered phase, but they are genuine favourite to win matches against any team on any day.
3) Younis Khan 144 vs Hong Kong (2004)
Younis Khan (Source: Twitter)
Younis Khan notched up his highest ODI score of 144 against Hong Kong in the 2004 Asia Cup. This fantastic innings propelled Pakistan to a massive score of 343 which they defended successfully and won this match by 173 runs by D/L method.
Younis Khan known for his elegance Strokeplay showcased all his talent in his score of 144. This innings featured only 8 fours and 3 sixes and was a SR of 118. The lack of boundaries in this innings highlights his brilliant fitness to run the singles and twos. Khan’s innings attributed for 41% of Pakistan’s overall score.
Pakistan had won the previous edition of the Asia cup in 2000 so they were set not to slip up against minnow cricket playing teams such as Hong Kong. They did well in the group stages but then did lose games in the super four stage thus couldn’t defend their title. Since 2000, Pakistan have only gone onto win the title once more in 2012.
2) Babar Azam 151 vs Nepal (2023)
Babar Azam (Source: Twitter)
Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2023 with captain Babar Azam scoring a wonderful century. This was the first time Nepal has faced Pakistan and Pakistan ensured it would be an unforgettable day for them. It was a very hot day in Pakistan and captain Babar was just slowly taming Nepal and the crowd before he put on a show later in the innings.
Nepal took two early wickets which meant Babar had to play quite circumspective initially. He was happy to nudge the singles and build partnerships. It was after the 40th over Babar accelerated. His overall score of 151 came at a SR 115 with 14 fours and 4 sixes. Babar held the innings together textbook style and ensured the fallen wickets of other experienced batsman didn’t impact Pakistan.
Babar notched up his 19th ODI century, which leaves him only 1 behind Saeed Anwar. He was supported by Mohammad Rizwan (44) and Iftikhar Ahmed (109). Babar’s class cements his place in the fab 5 alongside Kohli, Smith, Williamson, and Root. Pakistan won this match rather easily and could count as warm up to the next match which is against India.
1) Virat Kohli 183 vs Pakistan (2012)
Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)
It’s 2012, and we’ve just seen Virat Kohli bludgeon 133* against Sri Lanka a month before in Australia and now it’s Asia Cup time, and more importantly, it’s India vs Pakistan. Considered as one of Virat Kohli’s coming-of-age innings, this 183 against a good Pakistani bowling line-up set everyone’s sight on him as a future great.
Pakistan batted first and made 329/6. Gautam Gambhir got out 2nd ball, and In come Kohli who was batting with Sachin Tendulkar. It felt like passing down of the baton. Kohli destroyed the Pakistan bowling attack. His 183 came at a SR of 123, which included 22 four’s and 1 six. Kohli was in a different league that evening, and ensured India won that match comfortably in the end.
Virat Kohli was supported well with good partnerships with Tendulkar (52) and Rohit Sharma (68). The famous myth continued that whichever Indian player in ODIs scores the magic “183”, becomes Indian captain. It happened with Sourav Ganguly (1999), MS Dhoni (2005) and then Virat Kohli. This innings allowed him to set sail to conquer world cricket, and he has never looked back.
