In a format dominated by batters, it’s quite important to have skilled bowlers on the team. And if the teams are participating in the T20 World Cup, then bowlers are the key to clinching the trophy.
Bowlers equipped with effective variations and strategies have troubled the batters in the T20 tournament. The World Cup has witnessed many bowlers turn the matches on their heads by picking up wickets at crucial stages.
In this article, we’ll list the top 10 bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Most Wickets in T20 World Cup
| Player | Innings | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 41 | 50 | 20.12 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 34 | 39 | 23.25 |
| Lasith Malinga (SL) | 31 | 38 | 20.07 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 19 | 37 | 11.72 |
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 23 | 37 | 14.89 |
| Adam Zampa (AUS) | 21 | 36 | 13.69 |
| Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 23 | 36 | 16.86 |
| Tim Southee (NZ) | 25 | 36 | 17.91 |
| Anrich Nortje (SA) | 19 | 35 | 11.40 |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 21 | 35 | 15.02 |
Key Insights
Shakib Al Hasan is the leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history. He became the first bowler to take 50 wickets in the tournament.
Anrich Nortje’s bowling average of 11.40 is the lowest among the bowlers with 20 or more wickets in the T20 competition.
Fazalhaq Farooqi has the best bowling strike, as he has taken a wicket after every 11th delivery (minimum 20 wickets).
Arshdeep Singh and Farooqi have picked up the most wickets in a single edition. The Indian and Afghani pacemen took 17 wickets each in eight innings in the 2024 edition.
Ajantha Mendis delivered the best bowling figures in a T20 World Cup match. The Sri Lankan mystery spinner picked up Zimbabwe’s six wickets by conceding only eight runs in 2012.
12 bowlers have taken at least one five-for in the T20 tournament’s history.
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