Asia Cup: 15 Interesting Records, Stats and Facts of Asia's biggest cricketing event

The 2018 Asia Cup is set to start from September 15 in the United Arab Emirates with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka in the opening fixture. Sheikh Zayed Stadium and Dubai International Cricket stadium will be the hosts of the 2018 Asia Cup with UAE hosting it for the third time after 1984 and 1985 editions. India are the defending champions after they defeated Bangladesh by 8 wickets.

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the participating teams in the 2018 Asia Cup.

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Here are some interesting stats and facts from Asia Cup:

1. Virat Kohli’s knock of 183 runs in 2012 vs Pakistan is the highest individual score in Asia Cup history.
2. Among the 13 Asia Cup, India have won it six times while Sri Lanka and Pakistan have won it for five and two times respectively.
3. Bangladesh have hosted Asia Cup for five times, which is the highest by any country.
4. Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker with 30 wickets in Asia Cup history.
5. Asia Cup’s 2016 edition was the first time the tournament was played in a T20 format.
6. Sri Lanka are the only side to participate in 13 editions, while India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have played Asia Cup for 12 times each.
7. Former Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya is the highest run-getter in Asia Cup history with 1196 runs. He has also scored most runs in a single edition (378)
8. Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis’ 17 wickets in 2008 are the most number of wickets taken in a single edition of Asia Cup. His 6/13 in 2008 vs India still remains the best bowling figures in Asia Cup.
9. Sanath Jayasuriya holds the record of the maximum number of centuries in Asia Cup – 6.
10. Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka has made the highest number of dismissals (36) in the history of Asia Cup.
11. Mahela Jayawardena (Sri Lanka) has taken most number of catches – 15.
12. Lasith Malinga, who is also making a comeback to the Sri Lankan squad has the most number of five-wicket haul in an edition – 3.
13. Pakistan’s 385/7 is the highest team score.
14. Bangladesh’s 87 is the lowest team score.
15. The partnership of 224 between Nasir Jamshed and Mohd. Hafeez (Pakistan) in 2012 against India remains the highest partnership in Asia Cup history.