5 Bowlers to Watch Out for in Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 is all set to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28. With the T20 World Cup 2026 in sight, this tournament offers a high-stakes platform for teams to test their combinations and for players to stake their claim on the global stage. There’s an old saying in cricket: batters win you matches, but bowlers are the ones who make you win championships. Here are five bowlers primed to make a serious impact in this edition of Asia Cup on a sluggish UAE surface.

Varun Chakravarthy (India)

We all know what potential Varun Chakravarthy holds. Despite Team India having names like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel in their ranks, the mystery man from Tamil Nadu, i.e., Varun Chakravarthy, has made a statement and cemented his place in the eleven. Chakravarthy has become a key cog in India’s white-ball setup. With his bag of tricks, including carrom balls, sliders, and deceptive flight, Varun is bestowed to thrive in conditions like those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

He’s taken 33 wickets in 18 T20Is, including two five-wicket hauls since his return to international cricket.
Former players like Dinesh Karthik and Rohan Gavaskar have tipped him to be the top wicket-taker of the tournament.
His performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 (held in Dubai for India) has reaffirmed his status as a middle-overs enforcer.

Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan)

Pakistan is going to rely on its young talent in the Asia Cup 2025 as the team is going through a transition phase. In their youthful and bold squad, Abrar Ahmed is the most intriguing bowling weapon. Who can forget his dream delivery against Shubman Gill in Dubai during the IND vs PAK Champions Trophy 2025? The leggie completely outclassed Shubman Gill and left him in tatters. Abrar has a lot of potential, and all that will be on display in the Asia Cup 2025.

Abrar was instrumental in Pakistan’s win over India during the CT 2025, dismissing Shubman Gill with a peach of a delivery.
He’s part of a revamped bowling unit that includes Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Nawaz, giving Pakistan a balanced attack.
Besides Abrar, the team is relying on another young spinner, Sufiyan Muqeem.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

No bowler in the Asia Cup carries more pedigree than Rashid Khan. The Afghanistan captain and one of the most iconic global T20 superstars is a proven match-winner, and his portfolio speaks volumes for the immense talent he possesses. Rashid, along with his spin partners in Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, and Mohammad Nabi, can wreak havoc against any opposition.

Rashid has led Afghanistan to a semi-final finish in the 2024 T20 World Cup, beating teams like New Zealand and Australia.
He’s taken over 100 T20I wickets, with an economy rate under 6.5, a record unheard of in modern T20 cricket.
His ability to bowl in the powerplay, middle overs, and death makes him a tactical asset.

Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh)

Historically, Bangladesh has never been known to produce quality spinners. Besides Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Rafique, none of the Bangladesh spinners have made it big on the international stage, but something seems to be different about this boy named Rishad Hossain. The 23-year-old Hossain is one of the brightest sparks in their new-look Bangladesh squad. A leg-spinner with a knack for breaking partnerships, Rishad can be utilized as an attacking option and to contain scoring at the same time.

He’s been praised for his ability to bowl in pressure situations and has emerged as a key wicket-taker in recent T20I series.
With Shakib and Mahmudullah Riyad no longer part of the setup, Rishad’s role becomes even more vital in anchoring the bowling unit.
His variations and control have impressed in domestic leagues, and he’s expected to be Bangladesh’s go-to spinner in the Asia Cup.

Noor Ahmad (Afghanistan)

After Rashid Khan, if a spinner has grown with stature in a limited period of time for Afghanistan cricket, it has to be Noor Ahmad. The 20-year-old youngster has had a stellar 2025, claiming wickets at will in almost every franchise T20 league he has played around the globe. Be it SA20, IPL, The Hundred, or MLC, Ahmad has made his mark almost everywhere, and he would love to transcend his fabulous form in the Asia Cup 2025 and play an instrumental role in helping his team to lift the Asia Cup for the very first time.

Noor has had a whirlwind year, playing in IPL (CSK), MLC, The Hundred, and SA20, showcasing his talent across continents.
He’s just 20 but already a seasoned campaigner with a reputation for scalping big names all around the world.
His ability to bowl in tandem with Kinchit Shah and Ehsan Khan gives Hong Kong a surprisingly potent spin attack.

The Asia Cup 2025 is more than just a warm-up for the T20 World Cup; it’s a proving ground for bowlers to showcase their craft in wholly familiar conditions. These five bowlers are expected to bring a mix of mystery, control, and match-winning ability.