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The Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 is just around the corner, promising another thrilling chapter in the tournament’s storied history. Scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, the competition will see eight teams battle it out in the shortest format. Defending champions India begin their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10, while fans eagerly await the blockbuster clash against Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. With the event also serving as a vital preparation ground for the 2026 T20 World Cup, it feels only fitting to look back at some of the greatest individual bowling performances in Asia Cup T20 history.
Top 5 best bowling figures in Asia Cup (T20 edition)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (5/4 vs Afghanistan, 2022)
At the very top of the list stands Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s career-best 5 for 4 against Afghanistan during the 2022 Asia Cup. Played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 8, this spell came in a Super Four clash where India had already piled up 212 runs, thanks to Virat Kohli’s memorable 122*.
With the ball in hand, Bhuvneshwar produced a devastating display of swing bowling. Seam, movement, accuracy—he had it all that night. Afghanistan’s batting line-up crumbled against his variations, as outswingers kissed the edge and inswingers demolished stumps. To add to the dominance, he bowled a maiden over, underlining why he is still considered one of the most dangerous new-ball operators in world cricket.
- Shadab Khan (4/8 vs Hong Kong, 2022)
Next on the list is Shadab Khan’s incredible 4 for 8 against Hong Kong in Sharjah on September 2, 2022. Pakistan had already set 193 runs on the board, but it was Shadab’s wizardry that truly sealed the game.
His spell lasted just 2.4 overs, yet it was enough to dismantle the opposition. The leg-spinner’s googly was unplayable on the night, with three of his wickets coming off perfectly disguised wrong’uns. Hong Kong’s batters looked clueless, and Pakistan cruised to a 155-run victory—a win that secured their path to the Super Four.
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- Mohammad Nabi (4/17 vs Hong Kong, 2016)
The 2016 edition also gave fans a memorable spell, courtesy of Afghanistan’s talisman Mohammad Nabi. In a qualifying match at Mirpur on February 22, 2016, Nabi returned his best-ever T20I figures: 4 for 17.
Relying on flight, guile, and subtle variations in pace, Nabi strangled Hong Kong’s batting unit. He bowled 12 dot balls in his four-over spell, with three dismissals coming off mistimed big hits. That performance earned him the Player of the Match award and reinforced his reputation as Afghanistan’s dependable match-winner in crunch moments.
- Lasith Malinga (4/26 vs UAE, 2016)
Few bowlers in history have owned the death overs quite like Lasith Malinga, and his spell against UAE in 2016 was a reminder of that magic. Returning from injury at Mirpur on February 25, 2016, Malinga rolled back the years with a clinical 4 for 26.
Defending a modest total of just 129, he struck twice in the opening over with inch-perfect yorkers. From there, he mixed in his trademark slower deliveries, leaving UAE’s batters completely undone. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Malinga proved why experience and execution matter most under pressure.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/26 vs Pakistan, 2022)
Completing the top five is another gem from Bhuvneshwar, this time against arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament opener on August 28, 2022. His spell of 4 for 26 was historic, making him the first Indian bowler to claim a four-wicket haul against Pakistan in T20Is.
He began with the prized wicket of Babar Azam, before returning at the death to wipe out Khan, Asif Ali, and Naseem Shah. With Indian pacers accounting for all ten wickets in the innings, Bhuvneshwar’s effort stood out as the game-changer in a contest that always carries extra weight.
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