Absorbent core and absorbent article comprising the same

An absorbent core for use in an absorbent article, the absorbent core extending in a transversal direction and a longitudinal direction and having a thickness in a vertical direction perpendicular to the transversal direction and longitudinal direction, the absorbent core comprising:

• a liquid-permeable top cover layer;
• a bottom cover layer;
• and
• an absorbent layer disposed between the top cover layer and the bottom cover layer, the absorbent layer comprising superabsorbent polymer particles,
• wherein the top cover layer comprises pulp, and has an MD tensile strength at least about 12N, wherein the top cover layer has a first MD wicking length at 3 min, and the bottom cover layer has a second MD wicking length at 3 min as measured according to Wicking Length Test, wherein the first MD wicking length is at least about 70 mm, and at least about 3 times greater than the second MD wicking length.