Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya currently holds the record for the most runs in Asia Cup history.
Between 1990 and 2008, the former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya amassed 1,220 runs in 25 matches at an average of 53.04 and an impressive strike rate of 102.52 in Asia Cup matches. The swashbuckling opening batter registered six hundreds and three fifties in the tournament.
Jayasuriya finished as the highest run-getter in the 2008 edition of the Asia Cup, accumulating 378 runs in five matches at an average of 75.60 and a strike rate of 126. He hit two centuries and one fifty in the tournament.
The flamboyant southpaw powered Sri Lanka to three Asia Cup titles in 1997, 2004 and 2008. Jayasuriya scored 204 runs in four matches in 1997 and 293 runs in five matches in 2004.
Jayasuriya’s former teammate Kumar Sangakkara features second on the list for most runs in Asia Cup history.
Sangakkara scored 1,075 runs in 24 Asia Cup matches at an average of 48.86 and a strike rate of 84.51. The left-hander smashed four hundreds and eight fifties between 2004 and 2014.
He accumulated 156 runs in the 2004 edition, 345 runs in 2008, 184 runs in 2010, 142 runs in 2012 and 248 runs in his Asia Cup appearance in 2014.
Sangakkara won the Asia Cup title thrice in 2004, 2008 and 2014.
India cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is third on the list. The former India opening batter amassed 971 runs in 23 matches at an average of 51.10 and a strike rate of 85.47. Between 1990 and 2012, Tendulkar recorded two hundreds and seven half-centuries in the tournament.
He was the highest run-getter in the 1995 edition, accumulating 205 runs in four matches at an average of 68.33 and a strike rate of 109.62.
Interestingly, Tendulkar notched up his 100th international century against hosts Bangladesh in the 2012 edition of the Asia Cup in Mirpur.
He was part of India’s two Asia Cup-winning squads in 1991 and 1995. He had opted out of the 2010 Asia Cup, which India won in Sri Lanka.
Among active cricketers, Shoaib Malik has scored the most runs in the Asia Cup. Between 2000 and 2018, the former Pakistan captain has scored 907 runs in 21 matches at an average of 64.78 and a strike rate of 93.02. He has three centuries and four fifties in Asia Cup history.
India cricket team captain Rohit Sharma completes the top five list. The 2018 Asia Cup-winning skipper has amassed 883 runs in 27 matches at an average of 42.04 and a strike rate of 90.01. He has registered one hundred and seven fifties in Asia Cup matches.
Rohit was also part of India’s Asia Cup-winning squads in 2010 and 2016.
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are the other two Indian cricketers to feature in the top 10 list for most runs in Asia Cup.
While Kohli is currently at the sixth spot with 766 runs in 16 matches, Dhoni is placed ninth with 690 runs in 24 matches.
Most runs in Asia Cup
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs | Average | SR | 100 | 50 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 1990-2008 | 25 | 1220 | 53.04 | 102.52 | 6 | 3 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 2004-2014 | 24 | 1075 | 48.86 | 84.51 | 4 | 8 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 2000-2018 | 21 | 971 | 51.10 | 85.47 | 2 | 7 |
| Shoaib Malik (PAK) | 2000-2018 | 21 | 907 | 64.78 | 93.02 | 3 | 4 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 2008-2018 | 27 | 883 | 42.04 | 90.01 | 1 | 7 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 2010-2016 | 16 | 766 | 63.83 | 99.60 | 3 | 2 |
| Arjuna Ranatunga (SL) | 1984-1997 | 19 | 741 | 57.00 | 82.79 | 1 | 6 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN) | 2008-2018 | 26 | 739 | 32.13 | 83.88 | 2 | 2 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 2008-2018 | 24 | 690 | 69.00 | 91.51 | 1 | 3 |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 2000-2014 | 28 | 674 | 29.30 | 87.64 | 0 | 7 |
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Featured photo: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN / AFP
