Kuldeep Yadav becomes highest wicket-taker in Asia Cup history; surpasses Lasith Malinga

Kuldeep becomes highest wicket taker in Asia Cup [Source: AFP Photo]

Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian spinner, created history during the finals of the Asia Cup 2025 as he etched his name in the history books with a breathtaking spell. In a contest where Pakistan was running riot, Kuldeep weaved his magic and finished with figures of 4 for 30 to become the leading wicket-taker in Asia Cup history.

He surpassed Lasith Malinga’s record, as the Indian spinner stands at the top after dismantling the vulnerable Pakistan batters. While Malinga had 33 wickets in Asia Cup (ODIs and T20Is), Kuldeep now has 36 scalps to his name as he becomes the greatest Asia Cup bowler.

Most wickets in Asia Cup history

Kuldeep now sits firmly at the top with 36 wickets, and with the other two players in the list retired, the Indian star has a chance to further create a gap as he will play more Asia Cup editions.

Two Sri Lankans occupy the second and the third spot, with Malinga at second, and the legendary Muralidaran at third, with 30 wickets. Interestingly, no Pakistan bowler makes the top three.

Kuldeep decimates Pakistan

Pakistan were running away with the contest as at one stage, the Men in Green were poised to score 200-plus runs. However, this is when Kuldeep came to life as he ran riot and picked one wicket after another.

He picked up the wickets of Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf as the Pakistan batters hardly got a sniff and they allowed Kuldeep to decimate them with ease as he finished with figures of 4 for 30 in his allotted four overs. Courtesy of his bowling, Pakistan could only score 146.

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