Rohit Sharma On Top, Babar Azam Clings To 5th: Active Players With Most Asia Cup Runs

Aakash Saini

Most runs in Asia Cup history among active players [Source: @BCCI, @ICC, @ACBofficials/x]Most runs in Asia Cup history among active players [Source: @BCCI, @ICC, @ACBofficials/x]

The Asia Cup, especially in its ODI form, has long stood as a prestigious continental stage where cricketing heavyweights have showcased their prowess in many high-stakes encounters. Through the tournament’s rich history, fans have witnessed numerous batting masterclasses that have shaped defining moments of Asian cricket.

Celebrating the legacy of ODI Asia Cups ahead of the upcoming T20 event in the UAE, here is a look at five of the most successful batters among active players in 50-overs continental matches.

5. Babar Azam – 363 runs

Pakistan batting heavyweight Babar Azam has minted 363 runs in nine innings spanning two different ODI Asia Cup editions of 2018 and 2023. The cricketer also slapped one of his magnum opus ODI knocks in the continental event, doing so in 2023 with his match-winning masterclass of 151 against Nepal in Multan. Heading into the next Asia Cup event, Babar Azam will start out as Pakistan’s most proficient run-maker in the tournament, at least among active players.

However, the cricketer’s Asia Cup batting average of 40.33 falls way below than his career ODI average of 54.23.

4. Hashmatullah Shahidi – 373 runs

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi seems to reserve his best for ODI Asia Cups. The elegant left-hander averages 62.16 in the tournament after playing seven games in 2018 and 2023, marking nearly double of his career ODI average of 33.35. Shahidi has conjured five 50-plus scores in the tournament, and the 30-year-old continues to remain Afghanistan’s most successful batter in Asia Cup history, active or former players alike.


3. Shakib Al Hasan – 575 runs

Bangladesh’s batting resolute and former captain Shakib Al Hasan has aggregated 575 runs in 18 Asia Cup ODI innings between the years 2010 and 2023. The legendary all-rounder averages nearly 36 in the tournament, all while maintaining an astonishing strike rate of 101.23. While Shakib is yet to craft a century in Asia Cup, he has drawn five half-centuries in the competition, and is currently one of only three Bangladeshi players in history to have compiled over 500 runs in this prestigious stage.

2. Virat Kohli – 742 runs

Legendary Indian batter and two-time ODI Asia Cup winner Virat Kohli has compiled 742 runs from just 13 innings in the tournament at a prolific average of 61.83. He also maintains an exceptional batting strike rate of 99.73, thus underscoring his ability to combine consistency with aggressive run-scoring on the continental stage.

What makes Virat Kohli’s record even more remarkable is his stellar conversion rate, as he has turned starts into big scores, having plundered five fifty-plus scores and converting as many as four of them into regal centuries. Moreover, Kohli also recorded his highest ODI score in an Asia Cup game, doing so in a high-octane chase against Pakistan back in 2012 with his epic 183 in Dhaka.

1. Rohit Sharma – 939 runs

Not only is Rohit Sharma the leading run-maker in ODI Asia Cups among active players, but the legendary Indian opener also falls among the top five most successful batters in the history of the tournament overall. With 939 runs in just 26 innings, Rohit has been averaging 46.95 on the continental stage. The three-time ODI Asia Cup winner, once as captain, the current Indian ODI skipper has charted one century and nine additional half-centuries. Moreover, Rohit Sharma is also the leading six-hitter in ODI Asia Cup games with 28 maximums.