Shikhar Dhawan holds the record for the most catches in an innings in Asia Cup ODI history with four catches against Bangladesh in Dubai on 21 September 2018. These figures exclude catches made as a wicketkeeper.
Since the tournament’s first edition in 1984, only ten fielders have managed three or more catches in a single innings. Consequently, this article covers every player on that exclusive list, along with match context and key details.
Top 10 Most Catches in an Innings in Asia Cup (ODI)
Below is the complete list of fielders who have taken the most catches in an innings in Asia Cup ODI matches. Notably, all records except Dhawan’s sit at three catches per innings.
| Rank | Player | Catches | Inns | Team | Opposition | Ground | Date |
| 1 | S Dhawan | 4 | 1st | India | v Bangladesh | Dubai (DICS) | 21 Sep 2018 |
| 2 | Imran Khan | 3 | 2nd | Pakistan | v Sri Lanka | Colombo (PSS) | 30 Mar 1986 |
| 3 | RS Mahanama | 3 | 1st | Sri Lanka | v Pakistan | Dhaka | 27 Oct 1988 |
| 4 | RS Kalpage | 3 | 2nd | Sri Lanka | v Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 14 Jul 1997 |
| 5 | M Kaif | 3 | 1st | India | v Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 25 Jul 2004 |
| 6 | PP Ojha | 3 | 1st | India | v Bangladesh | Karachi | 28 Jun 2008 |
| 7 | DPMD Jayawardene | 3 | 2nd | Sri Lanka | v Bangladesh | Karachi | 30 Jun 2008 |
| 8 | Umar Akmal | 3 | 1st | Pakistan | v Sri Lanka | Dambulla | 15 Jun 2010 |
| 9 | Shakib Al Hasan | 3 | 1st | Bangladesh | v Sri Lanka | Dambulla | 18 Jun 2010 |
| 10 | Younis Khan | 3 | 2nd | Pakistan | v Bangladesh | Mirpur | 22 Mar 2012 |
Detailed Breakdown of Each Catching Record
Every record on this list came during a high-pressure Asia Cup ODI contest. Furthermore, non-wicketkeeper fielders took each of these catches, which makes the performances even more remarkable.
1. Shikhar Dhawan (India) – 4 Catches vs Bangladesh, 2018
Shikhar Dhawan set the all-time Asia Cup ODI catching record with four catches in a single innings during India’s Super Four match against Bangladesh in the 2018 Asia Cup. The match took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 21 September 2018.
Dhawan pouched the catches of Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, and Mustafizur Rahman as Bangladesh collapsed to just 173. Ravindra Jadeja starred with figures of 4/29 that day. As a result, India chased down the total comfortably, winning by seven wickets with Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 83 leading the charge.
Before this innings, no fielder had taken more than three catches in an Asia Cup ODI innings. Therefore, Dhawan’s effort remains unmatched even in 2026. Additionally, he went on to win the Player of the Series award in the 2018 Asia Cup, scoring 342 runs across five matches.
2. Imran Khan (Pakistan) – 3 Catches vs Sri Lanka, 1986
Imran Khan grabbed three catches in the second innings against Sri Lanka during the 1986 Asia Cup, held in Colombo (PSS) on 30 March 1986. This was only the second edition of the tournament, and India had boycotted the event that year.
Imran was already one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history at this point. Moreover, his fielding contribution in this match added to his legendary status. Pakistan and Sri Lanka were the main contenders that year, with Bangladesh joining as a newcomer.
3. Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka) – 3 Catches vs Pakistan, 1988
Roshan Mahanama took three catches in the first innings against Pakistan during the 1988 Asia Cup in Dhaka on 27 October 1988. This was the third edition of the tournament, and it marked the first time Bangladesh hosted a multi-national cricket event.
Mahanama was a dependable opening batsman for Sri Lanka through the late 1980s and 1990s. In addition to his batting, he was a sharp fielder in the slips and inner ring. His three-catch haul remains one of the earliest catching records in Asia Cup history.
4. Ruwan Kalpage (Sri Lanka) – 3 Catches vs Pakistan, 1997
Ruwan Kalpage claimed three catches in the second innings against Pakistan at Colombo (RPS) on 14 July 1997 during the sixth edition of the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka won that tournament, beating India in the final.
Kalpage bowled left-arm spin and contributed regularly with both ball and gloves for Sri Lanka during the 1990s. Consequently, his three catches in a single innings highlighted the all-round value he brought to the squad.
5. Mohammad Kaif (India) – 3 Catches vs Pakistan, 2004
Mohammad Kaif snapped up three catches in the first innings against Pakistan at Colombo (RPS) on 25 July 2004, during the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Cricket fans widely regard Kaif as one of the finest fielders India has ever produced.
His agility at covers and point was a massive asset for India throughout his career. In fact, his fielding at the 2002 NatWest Final against England remains an iconic moment in Indian cricket. Similarly, this Asia Cup performance showcased his sharp reflexes and safe hands under pressure.
6. Pragyan Ojha (India) – 3 Catches vs Bangladesh, 2008
Pragyan Ojha held three catches in the first innings against Bangladesh at Karachi on 28 June 2008 during the 2008 Asia Cup. Pakistan hosted that edition of the tournament, and Ojha, a left-arm orthodox spinner, had recently broken into the Indian squad around this period.
Spinners often field at short distances like silly point or short leg, which creates catching opportunities. As a result, Ojha’s three catches came from his ability to station himself in close-in positions. This performance also demonstrated that bowlers can be just as impactful in the field.
7. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 3 Catches vs Bangladesh, 2008
Mahela Jayawardene grabbed three catches in the second innings against Bangladesh at Karachi on 30 June 2008, just two days after Ojha’s feat in the same tournament. Sri Lanka ultimately won the 2008 Asia Cup, their fourth title at the time.
Jayawardene holds the record for the most catches by a fielder in ODI cricket career. Moreover, the combination of ‘c Jayawardene b Muralitharan’ is the most common bowler-fielder dismissal in Test cricket history. Therefore, his presence on this list is no surprise at all.
8. Umar Akmal (Pakistan) – 3 Catches vs Sri Lanka, 2010
Umar Akmal took three catches in the first innings against Sri Lanka at Dambulla on 15 June 2010 during the Asia Cup hosted by Sri Lanka. Akmal was primarily a middle-order batsman and part-time wicketkeeper for Pakistan.
However, in this match, his three catches came as a non-wicketkeeper fielder. His quick hands and sharp reflexes allowed him to contribute meaningfully in the field. India eventually won the 2010 Asia Cup, but Pakistan’s fielding performances stood out in this edition.
9. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 3 Catches vs Sri Lanka, 2010
Shakib Al Hasan is the only Bangladeshi player on this list, having taken three catches in the first innings against Sri Lanka at Dambulla on 18 June 2010. As a result, he represents Bangladesh’s lone entry in the Asia Cup ODI single-innings catching records.
Most cricket experts consider Shakib Bangladesh’s greatest cricketer, given his tally of over 14,000 international runs and 700 wickets across formats. In addition to his all-round brilliance, his fielding has always stood out. This three-catch performance further cemented his reputation as a complete cricketer.
10. Younis Khan (Pakistan) – 3 Catches vs Bangladesh, 2012
Younis Khan completed this top-10 list with three catches in the second innings against Bangladesh at Mirpur on 22 March 2012. Bangladesh hosted the 2012 Asia Cup, and Pakistan reached the final that year before losing to the hosts.
Younis Khan retired as Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket and earned a reputation for his safe hands in the slip cordon. Consequently, his inclusion in this Asia Cup catching record reflects his overall quality as an athlete.
Country-Wise Distribution of Top Catching Performances
Interestingly, the catches in an innings Asia Cup ODI record is evenly spread across the major Asian cricketing nations. Below is a quick country-wise breakdown of the top 10 entries.
| Country | Number of Entries | Players |
| India | 3 | S Dhawan, M Kaif, PP Ojha |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | RS Mahanama, RS Kalpage, DPMD Jayawardene |
| Pakistan | 3 | Imran Khan, Umar Akmal, Younis Khan |
| Bangladesh | 1 | Shakib Al Hasan |
India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan share an equal three entries each, while Bangladesh has a single representative. Importantly, no Afghanistan, Hong Kong, or UAE fielder has made it to this list so far.
Also Read:
- Most Runs in a Series in Asia Cup ODI (2026 Stats)
- Most Extras in an Innings in Asia Cup ODI (2026 Updated)
Conclusion – Dhawan’s Four-Catch Haul Stands Alone
Shikhar Dhawan’s four catches in an innings against Bangladesh at the 2018 Asia Cup remain the undisputed Asia Cup ODI catching record. While nine other fielders have managed three catches, no one has come close to matching Dhawan’s feat.
As the Asia Cup continues to grow with more teams and editions, a future fielder may eventually surpass this mark. However, for now, Dhawan’s safe hands at Dubai remain the gold standard.
