The countdown to the Asia Cup 2025 has begun, with cricket fans set to witness yet another chapter in the region’s most prestigious tournament. While the event has traditionally been a 50-over contest, the T20 format — introduced in 2016 — has quickly produced unforgettable performances and batting milestones.
As we head into the UAE edition, here’s a look at the top five run-scorers in Asia Cup T20I history.
Virat Kohli (India) – 429 runs
- Matches: 9 innings
- Average: 85.80
- Highest Score: 122* vs Afghanistan (2022)
Even though Virat Kohli won’t feature in Asia Cup 2025, his record remains untouched. Kohli has been the most consistent batter in the Asia Cup T20 format, headlined by his explosive 122* against Afghanistan in Dubai — the highest individual score in tournament history.
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 281 runs
- Matches: 6 innings
- Average: 56.20
- Highest Score: 78* vs Hong Kong (2022)
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter was unstoppable in 2022, guiding his team to the final. Rizwan combined reliability with flair, cementing his place as one of the most effective performers in the Asia Cup T20 format.
Rohit Sharma (India) – 271 runs
- Matches: 9 innings
- Average: 30.11
- Highest Score: 83 vs Bangladesh (2016)
India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain has delivered in multiple editions. Rohit’s aggressive starts, including his 83 at Mirpur in 2016, make him one of the Asia Cup’s most influential top-order batters.
Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) – 196 runs
- Matches: 5 innings
- Average: 65.33
- Highest Score: 64* vs India (2022)
Ibrahim Zadran emerged as Afghanistan’s batting backbone in 2022. His ability to anchor innings while keeping the scoreboard ticking turned him into a key figure for his side.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka) – 191 runs
- Matches: Multiple innings in 2022
- Average: 47.75
- Highest Score: 71* vs Pakistan (Final, 2022)
Rajapaksa’s fearless batting was central to Sri Lanka’s title-winning run in 2022. His match-winning 71* in the final against Pakistan remains one of the most iconic knocks in Asia Cup history.
At a Glance – Top Five Run-Scorers in Asia Cup T20Is
| Rank | Player | Country | Runs | Highest Score | Avg | Notable Knock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | India | 429 | 122* | 85.80 | 122* vs AFG (2022) |
| 2 | Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 281 | 78* | 56.20 | 78* vs HK (2022) |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | India | 271 | 83 | 30.11 | 83 vs BAN (2016) |
| 4 | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 196 | 64* | 65.33 | 64* vs IND (2022) |
| 5 | Bhanuka Rajapaksa | Sri Lanka | 191 | 71* | 47.75 | 71* vs PAK (Final 2022) |
