Afghanistan will play Sri Lanka in the opening match of the 2022 Asia Cup on August 27 in the United Arab Emirates. Unlike the previous edition in 2018, which was played in ODI format, the major event will be staged in T20I format.
Six teams will compete in the event for dominance in the Asian continent. Let's have a look at the top 5 players who have played the most Asia Cup matches.
5) Kumar Sangakara - 24 matches
In the matches far less than his contemporaries, Kumar Sangakkara finished second in ODI and sixth in Tests after a glittering 15-year career.
The spine of the Sri Lankan national squad up until his retirement was a left-handed batter, former captain and the outstanding wicket-keeper. He scored a total of 1075 runs in 25 Asia Cup games with the highest score of 121. with a batting average of 48.86, he is among the top players who have participated in the Asia Cup.
4) Muttiah Muralitharan - 24 matches
Former cricketer from Sri Lanka, Muttiah Muralitharan. He was a right-arm off-break bowler and was regarded as one of the best test bowlers the game has ever seen.
He had a remarkable impact on Sri Lankan cricket throughout the course of his 19-year playing career thanks to his distinctive but contentious bowling style, which earned him a place in various international record books. He played in 24 Asia Cup games and took 30 wickets.
3) Pinnaduwage Aravinda De Silva - 24 matches
One of the best batsmen and entertainers, Aravinda De Silva is known for his powerful batting and hook shots. His record is unmatched among his countrymen, and a match-winning century in a World Cup final cemented his position in history.
He has made 24 appearances in the Asia Cup, scoring 645 runs overall with a batting average of 32.25. He currently serves as the Sri Lanka Cricket Board's national selector.
2) Sanath Jayasuriya - 25 matches
Former left-handed all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka was well-known for his explosive batting style. He is the only player in ODI history to amass 12,000 runs and 300 or more wickets.
In his 25 Asia Cup outings, he scored 1220 runs overall and claimed 22 wickets. He is without a doubt one of the best all-rounders to play in the Asia Cup, with a batting best of 130 and a bowling best of 4/49.
1) Mahela Jayawardene - 28 matches
One of the most recognisable figures in international cricket, Mahela Jayawardene is well-known for his leadership abilities. Additionally, his effortless batting prowess elevated him to the status of a star on the Sri Lanka cricket squad.
The highest individual score in Tests for a Sri Lankan is 374, which Jayawardene achieved in a Test match against South Africa in 2006. In 28 Asia Cup games, he scored 674 runs with a batting average of 29.30.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: Probable India squad
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