The 2023 Asia Cup is set to be another exciting event. All the teams want to perfect their strategies before the ICC ODI World Cup, which starts soon after. This is the 16th Asia Cup, and Sri Lanka is the defending champion.
The 2023 Asia Cup is being hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka together for the first time in the tournament’s history. Pakistan has won the cup twice, making them the third most successful team in the tournament. This competition will be played in a 50-overs format, which is good practice for the World Cup.
Here, we look at Pakistan’s 5 highest run-scorers in Asia Cup history (ODIs):
5. Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal is a very talented cricketer who did not fully reach his potential. However, he played in many memorable matches for Pakistan. In the Asia Cup, he played 12 matches and scored 510 runs with an average of 51 and a strike rate of 99.41. He made one century and four half-centuries, with his best score being an unbeaten 102.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi played 23 matches in the Asia Cup (ODI) and scored 532 runs, averaging 35.46. He scored two centuries and one half-century in the tournament.
Over the years, Afridi played many excellent short innings in the competition and was a key player for Pakistan.
3. Younis Khan
Younis Khan, one of the best batters for Pakistan, is third on this list.
He scored 546 runs in 14 matches with an average of 49.63. Younis Khan hit two centuries and three half-centuries and played many important innings in the competition.
His strike rate was over 100 in these 14 matches, showing his ability to win matches and his remarkable consistency.
Inzamam was one of Pakistan’s best players who often helped the team win. He performed well in almost all the tournaments he played in.
In 15 matches, Inzamam scored 591 runs in 13 innings. He hit six half-centuries and one century. His batting average was 59.10, and his strike rate was 89.27.
1. Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik made a strong impression with his great performances in the Asia Cup and kept doing well in the tournament. He was very good at playing spin bowling, which helped him a lot.
In 15 innings, Malik scored 786 runs, averaging 65.50 and having a strike rate of 90.65. He was the one batter from Pakistan who consistently scored runs, with three centuries and three fifties showing his excellence.