Asia Cup 2023: Top 5 Highest Individual Scores in Asia Cup history

The 2023 Asia Cup is all set to be held in a hybrid model, with the matches being spread across two nations - Pakistan and Sri Lanka, starting August 31.

The Asia Cup has seen a number of memorable knocks that will remain etched in the hearts of cricket fans forever. The best teams from Asia battle it out to become the champions of the continent. Lately, the tournament has been serving as the perfect rehearsal before big ICC events. This year's tournament will give the likes of Virat Kohli, Babaz Azam, Kusal Mendis, and many more players some invaluable practice ahead of the 50-over World Cup in October-November.

The knock that tops the list was played by a then 23-year-old Virat Kohli who scored an astounding 183 off just 148 balls against Pakistan in the 2012 edition of the Asia Cup. This match took place in Mirpur, Bangladesh.

Kohli gave us a glimpse into his future, where he would go on to earn the title 'The Chase Master'. He helped India chase down the 330-run target, set by their arch-rivals, with 13 balls and six wickets to spare. The epic knock contained 22 fours and a solitary six.

Babar Azam went bonkers against the new entrant, Nepal by registering the second highest individul score of 151 by a batter in Asia Cup History. His innings included 14 fours and four maximums. With this innings, Babar also became the first Pakistani batter and second overall to score more than 150 in an innings in Asia Cup. 

The 2008 Under-19 world cup winning-captain broke the record of Younis Khan for the highest individual score in an Asia Cup Innings. The batter from Pakistan scored 144 in 122 balls against Hong Kong, on July 18, 2004. The match was played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The knock was studded with eight fours and three sixes as Pakistan posted a mammoth 343/5 in 50 overs before bundling Hong Kong out for 165.

14 years after Younis Khan's knock, Bangladesh wicketkeeper, Mushfiqur Rahim, matched his score of 144. The diminutive right-hander scored his runs off 150 balls against Sri Lanka, in Dubai, in 2018. What made this knock even more special was the fact that it came after Bangladesh were in serious trouble at 2/3. Mushfiqur resurrected the Bangladesh innings, mixing caution with aggression. He helped Bangladesh get to a competitive 261 in the first innings, hitting 11 fours and four sixes in the process. Sri Lanka failed to cross Mushfiqur's individual score in their chase as they were rolled over for just 124.

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik had a spectacular Asia Cup 2004 campaign. He ended with most runs (316) in the tournament. His career-best score in ODIs came in this tournament as he scored a belligerent 127-ball 143 against India in Colombo that comprised of 18 fours and one six. This innings helped Pakistan get to 300/9 in 50 overs. Malik, also went on to show his prowess with the ball as he dismissed Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh. India fell short by 59 runs.

It is interesting to note that these knocks from Virat, Younis, Mushfiqur, and Malik turned out to be their respective career-best scores in ODIs. Virat, Mushfiqur and Malik are still in with a chance to change that as they continue to play international cricket.

Fifth on the list is once again - ‘King Kohli’ as he is fondly called. Just under two years after he had scored that brilliant 183 against Pakistan, the batter from Delhi enthralled once again, only this time the opponent were Bangladesh.

Kohli registered a magnificent 136-run knock off 122 balls, with the help of 16 fours and two sixes. With the help of this knock and able support from Ajinkya Rahane (73), India managed to chase down 280 with an over to spare. The home crowd at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium in Bangladesh were left disappointed but their team was outplayed by a mesmerizing knock from Kohli. The star right-handed batter was also the stand-in captain for this match.