There have been many great cricketers from Asia, but selecting at most 3-4 from each country, my picks are as below (I have only considered Test cricket as the criterion, but if a player has crossed the threshold of greatness in Test matches, I have also given importance to their ODI performances, just to give a bonus weight). I have given preference to the charisma and conditions too. I haven't included BD as they are very new. 

 

India : Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Kumble

Pakistan : Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas.

SL : Murali, Sangakkara, DeSilva

 

Picking only one from each country, raising the threshold even higher to filter all but the absolute legends, my picks will be :

 

Tendulkar, Imran Khan and Murali. 

 

Picking one of them as greatest is an extremely difficult task, each of them has carried his team, expectation of the nation, and each of them was a charismatic hero. But if I have to pick one: 

 

I would go with Murali for keeping his small country competitive almost single handedly and also for the bravery and dignity he showed in the face of constant ridicule towards his bowling action.. he stood the test of scrutiny and faced the doubters and critics who wanted him out of the game. He did that, with a smile to his face, is phenomenal. Add to that, 800 wickets in Test matches and 500+ wickets in ODI cricket, makes him statistically the best bowler that ever lived. A nicer human being, would be difficult to find. 

 

Murali it is, for me, the greatest Asian cricketer of all time. What's your opinion?  

 

Discuss