5 Batters With Most Hundreds In Asia Cup (ODI)

Sanath Jayasuriya is also the leading run-getter in Asia Cup (ODI) history [Source: Twitter]

As Asia Cup 2023 draws nearer, the excitement is at an all-time high, with as many as six nations duking it out to become the continent's best cricketing side. 

The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place across two nations — Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where the conditions will most likely suit batters, and given the ground dimensions, fans will be treated to plenty of runs and seamless stroke-making. 

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The upcoming tournament will feature some of the best talents across the globe, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Dimuth Karunaratne amongst others, who will be aiming to come out on top in the batting charts and head into the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 high on confidence. 

Over the years, the Asia Cup competition has witnessed several legends outshine each other and reign supreme in batting by either scoring hundreds, fifties, or bucketfuls of runs. 

Maiden Asia Cup (ODI) century - Moin-ul-Atiq vs Bangladesh, 1988.

Most No. of centuries in a single edition - 13, 2008 edition. 

Most No. of centuries as captain - 2 - Shahid Afridi 

In this article, we take a look at the players with most centuries in Asia Cup (ODI) since its inception in 1983. 

1.Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya also holds the record for most runs in Asia Cup (ODI) [Source: Twitter]

Undoubtedly leading the pack is Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, who is also the tournament's leading run-getter with 1,220 runs.  Jayasuriya, known for his belligerent batting, struck as many as six centuries between 1990 and 2008 appearing in 25 Asia Cup matches. 

2.Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara scored 3 tons in 2008 edition alone [Source: Twitter]

One of the best left-handed wicketkeeper batters of all time, Kumar Sangakkara, comes in second place with four centuries. Out of Sangakkara's four tons, three came in the 2008 edition in Pakistan, which is a record for most 100s in a single edition, which Sri Lanka won.  Overall, in 24 matches between 2004 and 2014, Sangakkara scored 1,075 runs with four tons.

3.Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has three Asia Cup (ODI) centuries

The batter with the second-most ODI tons comes, former India captain Virat Kohli comes third on the list. Kohli holds the record for scoring the highest-ever individual score in Asia Cup history (183 vs Pakistan, 2012). In just 11 matches, Kohli has slammed 613 runs with three 100s. Kohli also scored a century in Asia Cup T20 2022, taking up his tally to four if both formats are taken into consideration. 

4.Shoaib Malik

Shoaib Malik first played Asia Cup (ODI) in 2000 [Source:Twitter]

Former Pakistan captain and one of the few active cricketers from the 1990s, Shoaib Malik comes fourth in the list. Having first played in the 2000 edition, Malik has played 17 matches and slammed three centuries with 786 runs. Out of three tons, Pakistan won two and lost one match, when Malik scored more than 100 runs.

As many as seven players are stuck on two centuries each, while 23 others have recorded one apiece.

5.Lahiru Thirimanne

Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne (Twitter)

In the inaugural match of the 2014 Asia Cup against Pakistan in Fatullah, Sri Lankan opener Lahiru Thirimanne achieved his second One-Day International (ODI) century. Despite the challenging conditions of a slow pitch, Thirimanne displayed an impressive performance by reaching his century swiftly, requiring 107 deliveries. His innings consisted of 11 boundaries and a single six. Throughout his participation in the Asia Cup 2014, Thirimanne competed in 8 matches in the ODI format, amassing a total of 363 runs. Notably, he managed to secure two centuries during these matches.

Most No. of Centuries in Asia Cup (ODI)

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