Top 5 batting performances in Asia Cup

The 14th edition of Asia Cup kicks off from 15th September with Bangladesh taking on Sri Lanka in the inaugural match in Dubai. It is a six-team event this year as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Hong Kong lock horns over Asian supremacy. The six teams are split into two groups of three teams each. India, Pakistan and Hong Kong feature in Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are kept in Group B.

The flat surfaces of the subcontinent have been conducive to stroke play over the years and have resulted in some breath-taking batting performances in the Asia Cup. The likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, Shahid Afridi, Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli have played many memorable knocks over the years in Asia Cup. Here, we take a look at the top 5 knocks played in the history of Asia Cup.

#5 Virender Sehwag, 119 against Pakistan in 2008

The ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ had a special liking for Pakistan and played many memorable knocks against the arch-rivals. His 119 in Karachi against a Pakistani attack comprising of Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir and Shahid Afridi is up there with his best knocks in One-day Internationals. Chasing a stiff target of 300 for victory, Sehwag struck a wonderful century of just 80 balls to guide India home with 8 overs still left. Sehwag’s knock contained 12 fours and 5 huge sixes.

His 198 run partnership for the second wicket with Suresh Raina laid the foundation of the chase. Sehwag’s audacious knock left the Pakistani bowlers stunned and made a mockery of the chase.

#4 Shoaib Malik, 143 against India in 2004

Shoaib Malik has a knack of scoring runs against India. The star all-rounder from Pakistan used to bat at No.3 during his initial days in international cricket. After choosing to bat first against India in Colombo, Pakistan had lost Imran Nazir in the very first over.

Malik came into bat at number 3 and by the time he was dismissed in the 46th over, Pakistan had firm control over the match. Malik struck a wonderful century to guide Pakistan to a match-winning total of 300. His 143 run knock came from just 127 balls and had 18 fours and 1 six. Malik also picked up two crucial wickets with the ball as India faltered in the chase and lost the contest by 59 runs.

#3 Kumar Sangakkara, 103 against India in 2014

Kumar Sangakkara had a stellar record against India. The Sri Lankan legend averaged 40 with the bat and scored 6 ODI centuries against India. One of his most memorable knocks came against India in 2014 at Fatullah, Bangladesh.

Chasing a target of 265 runs on a tricky surface, Sri Lanka began well but lost their way mid-innings. However, Sangakkara remained determined at the crease and struck a wonderful 83-ball century. With just 4 wickets left and more than 80 runs required, Sangakkara showed tremendous temperament and batted exceptionally well with the tail to guide Sri Lanka home in a tense game.

#2 Shahid Afridi, 109 against Sri Lanka in 2010

“Boom-Boom” Afridi is known for his exciting cameos but the maverick all-rounder from Pakistan showed a different aspect of his game during the 2010 Asia Cup. Afridi smashed two centuries in the 2010 Asia Cup and emerged as the highest run scorer of the tournament. One of his hundreds came against Sri Lanka in the inaugural match of the 2010 Asia Cup. Chasing a target of 243 runs, Pakistan were in all sorts of troubles as it lost 4 wickets with just 32 runs on the board.

Coming in to bat at No. 6, Afridi single-handedly kept Pakistan in the game with a wonderful counter-attacking century. Afridi suffered cramps mid-innings but still kept going. It took a one-handed blinder from Kumar Sangakkara to stop the Afridi brigade. Although Pakistan lost the contest by 16 runs, it was easily the finest innings played by Afridi during his ODI career.

#1 Virat Kohli, 183 against Pakistan in 2012

This innings from Virat Kohli took him to a different league. It is also Virat’s highest score in ODIs till date. Thanks to centuries from openers Mohammed Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed, Pakistan had posted a massive score of 329 runs on the board. India needed a win to stay alive in the Asia Cup.

Virat came at the crease in the very first over as Gautam Gambhir was dismissed on the second ball of India’s innings. Virat then batted out of his skin and smashed a formidable Pakistani attack comprising of Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul to all corners of the ground. His 183 run masterclass helped India chase 330 with 13 balls to spare and kept India alive in the Asia Cup.