Top 5 ODI knocks in the Asia Cup

List includes plenty of iconic knocks such as Kohli's 183 against arch-rivals.

Virat Kohli during his iconic 183 (Image via Scroll)

2023 Asia Cup begins in a couple of days, with 6 teams contesting to be the champions of this continental tournament. Co-hosts Sri Lanka will be looking to defend their title against teams like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal. The tournament will begin on 30th September with Pakistan facing Nepal.

The 6 teams have been divided into 2 groups. India, Pakistan and Nepal in Group A, while Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be in Group B. The top two teams from each group will go on to play in the Super 4, where all 4 teams will play against each other once. The top two teams will face off in the finals on 17th September. The match will be held in R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Just a few weeks after the Asia Cup, India will host the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.

Top 5 ODI knocks in the Asia Cup

There have been various iconic and memorable knocks in the 34 years of Asia Cup. These are the top 5 knocks in the history of the Asia Cup:

5. Mohammed Shahzad (124 off 116)

IMG COM 20230828 1931 06 2723 — Shahzad celebrating his century against India (Image via DNA India)

In their 2nd appearance in the ODI Asia Cup 2018, Afghanistan had given a tough fight to India in their Super 4 Fixture. Opener Mohammed Shahzad gave one of his greatest performances as he scored 124. He was striking at 106.89 and hit 11 boundaries and 7 sixes. This remains the highest score by an Afghani batsman in the Asia Cup. Afghanistan tied the game, with Shahzad being awarded the man of the match.

4. Mushfiqur Rahim (144 off 150)

IMG COM 20230828 1931 06 3344 — Mushfiqur Rahim after he completed his century (Image via ICC)

After a top order collapse with Litton Das and Shakib al Hassan for ducks by Lasith Malinga, while Tamim Iqbal walked out after being hit by a bouncer, Bangladesh were in trouble. They were 3/2 by the end of the second over, with 3 batsmen out. But Mushfiqur Rahim rose to the occasion, scoring 144 off 150 balls while making a very important partnership with Mohammed Mithun. Bangladesh finished the innings with 261 on the board, and ended up winning the match by 137 runs. This ensured Bangladesh won their first game of the 2018 Asia Cup.

3. Younis Khan (144 off 122)

IMG COM 20230828 1931 06 4216 — Younis Khan during his masterclass against Hong Kong (Image via ICC)

Younis Khan had come into bat after Pakistan had lost both their openers in the power play against Hong Kong. Coming in to bat with rookie Shoaib Malik, both Khan and Malik stitched up a partnership of 221 runs. Younis Khan had scored his 50 in 60 balls, but in the next 62 balls he scored 94 runs. Pakistan ended with a massive score of 343 thanks to centuries by Younis and Shoaib.

2. Shoaib Malik (143 off 127 balls)

IMG COM 20230828 1931 06 2262 — Shoaib Malik put up his highest score against India (Image via ICC)

Shoaib Malik scored his highest ODI score against India in the 2004 edition of Asia Cup. With Pakistan coming into bat, Shoaib had dismantled the bowling attack of India, scoring an important 143 off 127 balls. He hit 18 boundaries and one six. This innings helped Pakistan score 300 runs, with the bowling attack defending the total with ease. Shoaib won Man of the Match for his overall performance, as he had taken 2 wickets as well.

1. Virat Kohli (183 off 148 balls)

IMG COM 20230828 1931 06 1221 — Virat Kohli completes his 100 (Image via Hindustan Times)

After Gautam Gambhir got out for a duck in the 2nd ball of the innings, young Virat Kohli came in to bat when his team needed 330 to win. What followed was a chase master class by Kohli. The 22-year-old (at that time) played 148 balls and achieved his highest score of 183 against a Pakistani bowling line up which had bowlers like Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi. He had hit 22 boundaries and hit only 1 six. The 183 was the highest individual score in the 2012 Asia Cup and in Asia Cup history.

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