Who Are the Asia Cup Top Run Scorers of All Time?

The Asia Cup has always been a tournament where batsmen carve their names into history. From its beginnings in 1984 to the most recent editions, it has provided a platform for Asia’s finest to showcase their consistency, temperament, and flair. Runs in the Asia Cup carry special weight: they are scored not just against rival nations, but often in pressure-cooker situations, finals, or group stage encounters that decide progression.

Batting records in the Asia Cup also tell the story of how the tournament has evolved. In its earlier decades, it was purely an ODI competition, rewarding players who could construct big innings across 50 overs. Since 2016, however, the inclusion of the T20 format has changed the landscape, with shorter, more explosive knocks often shaping outcomes. As a result, the run-scoring charts now include both marathon accumulators and T20 specialists who thrive in high-octane matches.

The 2025 edition, staged in the UAE with an expanded eight-team field, has added fresh names to the list. Emerging batters from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the associate nations have already left their mark, reminding us that the Asia Cup remains a stage for both established legends and rising stars.

Asia Cup ODI All-Time Top Run Scorers

When considering the longer 50-over version of the Asia Cup, a handful of names tower over the rest. These are the players who combined longevity, consistency, and brilliance to dominate across multiple editions.

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 1220 Runs

No name is more synonymous with Asia Cup batting than Sanath Jayasuriya. The Sri Lankan opener holds the record for the most runs in Asia Cup history, with a staggering 1220 runs. He played in six editions between 1990 and 2008, redefining opening batting along the way.

Jayasuriya’s aggressive style was revolutionary. He attacked bowlers in the first 15 overs when fielding restrictions were at their tightest, a template that influenced one-day cricket globally. His crowning glory came in the 1997 edition, when he hammered 189 runs against India in Colombo — still the highest individual score in Asia Cup history. That innings not only sealed Sri Lanka’s victory but also showcased his ability to single-handedly demolish an opposition.

Jayasuriya’s record may never be surpassed. With the Asia Cup alternating between ODIs and T20s now, players simply do not get the same number of 50-over games across decades to accumulate comparable tallies.

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 1075 Runs

If Jayasuriya was explosive, Kumar Sangakkara was the embodiment of elegance. Accumulating 1075 runs in Asia Cup ODIs, Sangakkara was a model of consistency. He scored four centuries in the competition, often anchoring Sri Lanka’s innings while others attacked around him.

His runs were crucial during Sri Lanka’s triumphs in the 2000s, including their victorious campaigns in 2004 and 2008. Sangakkara’s ability to read conditions and adapt his tempo made him invaluable in subcontinental conditions where pitches often demanded patience.

Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 971 Runs

India’s Sachin Tendulkar, the “Little Master”, is third on the ODI list with 971 runs. He played in multiple Asia Cups from the late 1980s to 2012, scoring both big centuries and steady fifties.

His century against Bangladesh in 2012 was particularly poignant: it was his 100th international century, a record milestone celebrated worldwide. Tendulkar’s Asia Cup career symbolised his ability to dominate across eras, from facing Kapil Dev’s contemporaries in the 1980s to playing alongside Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in the 2010s.

Rohit Sharma (India) – 939 Runs (ODIs)

Current Indian captain Rohit Sharma is fourth on the list with around 939 ODI runs, a figure likely to grow as he continues to feature. Known for his ability to score “daddy hundreds”, Rohit has delivered in Asia Cups with both centuries and aggressive captaincy.

His best came in the 2018 Asia Cup, where he led India to victory in Dhoni’s absence. Rohit’s calm batting against Pakistan and his tactical acumen in the final against Bangladesh cemented his leadership credentials.

Other Notables: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahela Jayawardene

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim has been their most reliable Asia Cup performer, scoring heavily in multiple editions, including a brilliant 144 against Sri Lanka in 2018. He is one of the few Bangladeshis to feature in the all-time top scorers’ list.

Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene, with his classic technique and unmatched cricketing brain, also racked up hundreds of runs, complementing Sangakkara during Sri Lanka’s golden period.

Asia Cup T20 All-Time Top Run Scorers (Pre-2025)

The arrival of the T20 format in 2016 reshaped the Asia Cup record books. While tallies are naturally lower because of fewer overs and fewer matches per edition, the impact of T20 knocks has been immense.

Virat Kohli (India) – 429 Runs

Unsurprisingly, Virat Kohli leads the T20 Asia Cup run charts with 429 runs. Known for his unmatched chasing ability, Kohli has produced some of the most memorable knocks against Pakistan in particular.

In the 2012 edition, Kohli smashed 183 against Pakistan, the highest score in Asia Cup history by an Indian and one of the greatest ODI innings ever. In T20 editions too, his controlled aggression and ability to pace run chases have been crucial.

Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 281 Runs

For Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan has become their T20 rock. His 281 runs in the Asia Cup T20s, especially during the 2022 edition, showcased his consistency at the top of the order. Unlike the flamboyant Afridi or the explosive Babar, Rizwan builds his innings around stability, ensuring Pakistan have a foundation to attack from.

Others: Babar Hayat, Babar Azam

Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat deserves mention as one of the highest scorers among Associate players in Asia Cup T20 matches. His innings against big teams gave Hong Kong respectability and highlighted the depth of Asian cricket.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has also contributed significantly, though his Asia Cup numbers are overshadowed by Rizwan’s.

Asia Cup 2025: Fresh Run-Scoring Leaders

The 2025 Asia Cup, staged in the UAE in T20 format, has already seen new names making headlines in the batting charts. While the tournament is ongoing, early performances suggest the future stars of Asian cricket are stepping forward.

• Sediqullah Atal (Afghanistan): The left-handed opener has been Afghanistan’s standout so far, scoring 73 runs, including a fluent 40 against Oman. His composure at the top has given Afghanistan reliable starts.

• Litton Das (Bangladesh): With 59 runs already, Litton has been Bangladesh’s anchor. His strokeplay against pace in UAE conditions has been particularly effective.

• Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan): A rising all-rounder, Omarzai has chipped in with 53 runs, often rescuing innings from difficult positions.

As the tournament progresses, these numbers will change, but what is clear is that new batting stars are pushing their way into the Asia Cup narrative.

Comparisons Between Eras

When comparing run scorers across ODI and T20 Asia Cups, the differences are striking:

• ODI legends like Jayasuriya and Sangakkara built their tallies over many editions, often playing 10 or more matches per tournament.

• T20 stars like Kohli and Rizwan, despite fewer opportunities, have achieved impact through consistency and match-defining innings.

• Format impact: In ODIs, 600–700 runs in a single edition was possible for prolific batsmen. In T20s, 250–300 runs across a tournament is already extraordinary.

This is why Jayasuriya’s record of 1220 runs will almost certainly remain untouched. Modern players simply don’t have the same number of ODIs in Asia Cups to chase down that total.

Key Innings That Defined Records

Jayasuriya’s 189 (1997, Colombo)

Perhaps the most famous Asia Cup innings. Against India, Jayasuriya unleashed 189 from 161 balls, an onslaught of boundaries that destroyed the opposition. That single knock exemplified why he tops the charts.

Kohli’s 183 (2012, Mirpur)

Chasing 330 against Pakistan, Kohli played one of his greatest ODI innings: 183 runs that combined control, aggression, and dominance. It remains India’s highest individual score in ODIs and cemented Kohli’s reputation as a chase master.

Rizwan’s Consistency (2022, Dubai)

Rizwan didn’t play a single standout “monster innings” but instead built the 2022 Asia Cup around scores of 40s, 50s, and 70s. His accumulation kept Pakistan alive in matches, underlining the value of consistency in T20 cricket.

Early 2025 Standouts

Sediqullah Atal’s early runs for Afghanistan have already given fans moments to remember. His fearless batting against established sides shows how new stars are shaping the tournament.

Statistical Snapshot

Emerging Stars and Future Projections

The 2025 Asia Cup has hinted at a generational shift. Afghanistan’s young batters like Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai are showing they can compete at the highest level. Bangladesh’s Litton Das continues to grow into the role of senior batter, capable of anchoring innings under pressure.

For India, the next wave beyond Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli includes youngsters like Shubman Gill, who has the technique and temperament to one day join the list of all-time top scorers. Pakistan, meanwhile, will look to Babar Azam to build a legacy in Asia Cup cricket, while Rizwan will continue to anchor their T20 campaigns.

As the tournament expands to include more teams, associate players like UAE’s Muhammad Waseem and Oman’s Kashyap Prajapati could also begin making their mark.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Run-Scoring in the Asia Cup

The Asia Cup’s run-scoring charts reflect both the history of the tournament and the evolution of cricket itself. ODI legends like Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, and Tendulkar accumulated huge tallies through longevity and consistency. Modern T20 stars like Kohli and Rizwan show how impact can be measured differently in the shorter game.

The 2025 edition has already refreshed the records, bringing new names into focus and reminding fans that the Asia Cup is still a stage where reputations are made. Whether it’s Jayasuriya’s dominance in the 1990s, Kohli’s epic 183 in 2012, or Afghanistan’s youngsters in 2025, the common thread is clear: the Asia Cup rewards batters who thrive under pressure.

As cricket in Asia grows more competitive, these records will continue to evolve. But one thing is certain: runs in the Asia Cup are never just numbers — they are legacies written in the heart of one of cricket’s most dramatic tournaments.