In the modern era, cricket is often called a game for batters, especially in the T20 format. Fans love to see big sixes and fours. However, real cricket lovers know a secret. They know that bowlers are the ones who truly win matches. In the biggest tournament of them all, the T20 World Cup, bowlers play a very big role. So, who are the Top 10 bowlers with most wickets in T20 World Cup history?
1. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 50 Wickets
When we talk about the most wickets in T20 World Cup history, one name sits at the very top. That name is Shakib Al Hasan. He is a veteran all-rounder from Bangladesh. Shakib Al Hasan is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament. He has picked up an amazing 50 wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan has played in the T20 World Cup for a very long time. His career in this tournament spans from 2007 to 2024. This shows he has played for many years and stayed fit and strong. He has featured in eight editions of the T20 spectacle. In total, he has played 43 matches. In these 43 matches, he has bowled in 41 innings.
Shakib is a left-arm spinner. He is known for his great control. He can bowl in all types of conditions. Whether the pitch is slow or fast, Shakib knows how to take wickets. His best bowling figures in a single match are 4 wickets for just 9 runs. This is a very good performance. His economy rate is 6.86. This means he gives away less than 7 runs per over on average.
Because he has 50 wickets, Shakib Al Hasan is the clear leader for the most wickets in T20 World Cup history. He has been Bangladesh’s go-to bowler for a long time. Whenever his team needs a wicket, the captain gives the ball to Shakib. His record of 50 wickets is a big target for other bowlers to chase.
2. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 39 Wickets
In second place on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history is Shahid Afridi. He is a famous player from Pakistan. Shahid Afridi is known as an all-round sensation. Many people know him for his power-hitting batting at the top of the order. He could hit the ball very far. However, he was also a very useful leg-spinner.
Shahid Afridi played in T20 World Cups from 2007 to 2016. During this time, he took 39 wickets. This is a very high number. He played 34 matches and bowled in all 34 of them. Afridi was a key part of the Pakistan team for many years.
His best performance came in the 2009 edition of the T20 World Cup. In that year, he helped Pakistan win their first-ever T20 World Cup title. His bowling was very important in that win. His best bowling figures are 4 wickets for 11 runs. His economy rate is 6.71, which is even lower than Shakib Al Hasan’s. This shows that Afridi was very hard to score runs against. Being second on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history is a big achievement for him.
3. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 38 Wickets
Third on the list of players with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history is Lasith Malinga. He represented Sri Lanka. Malinga played in T20 World Cups from 2007 to 2014. He was a fast bowler with a unique bowling action.
Lasith Malinga picked up 38 wickets in his T20 World Cup career. He played 31 matches to get these wickets. Malinga was famous for delivering breakthroughs at crucial times. When the other team was scoring runs, Malinga would come and take a wicket.
His best bowling figures were 5 wickets for 31 runs. Taking 5 wickets in a T20 match is very hard to do. His economy rate was 7.43. While this is a bit higher than Shakib or Afridi, Malinga bowled many difficult overs at the end of the match. Malinga is one of the best fast bowlers to ever play. His place as number three for most wickets in T20 World Cup history shows how good he was.
Other Top Wicket Takers in T20 World Cup
Besides the top three, there are other great bowlers who have taken many wickets. These players are also on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history. Let us look at them closely.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 37 Wickets
Wanindu Hasaranga is another bowler from Sri Lanka. He is a very smart spinner. He has risen up the list very quickly. He started playing in T20 World Cups in 2021 and has played until 2024. In just a short time, he has taken 37 wickets.
He has played only 19 matches. This is much less than the players above him. To take 37 wickets in just 19 matches is amazing. His best bowling is 3 wickets for 8 runs. His economy rate is very impressive at 6.00. Hasaranga is surely one of the best modern bowlers on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 37 Wickets
Rashid Khan is a superstar from Afghanistan. He is a leg-spinner who is very hard to read. Batters find it difficult to know which way the ball will spin. Rashid Khan has also taken 37 wickets in T20 World Cup history.
He played from 2016 to 2024. He has played 23 matches in total. His best bowling performance is 4 wickets for 9 runs. His economy rate is 6.30. Rashid Khan is very consistent. He rarely gives away easy runs. Being tied with Hasaranga on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history shows his quality.
Adam Zampa (Australia) – 36 Wickets
Adam Zampa is a leg-spinner from Australia. He has been a key bowler for his country. Zampa has taken 36 wickets in T20 World Cups. He played from 2016 to 2024.
He achieved these wickets in just 21 matches. His best bowling figures are 5 wickets for 19 runs. Taking 5 wickets is a special moment for any bowler. His economy rate is 6.32. Zampa is very clever and uses variations to trick the batters. He is a major name when discussing the most wickets in T20 World Cup.
Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) – 36 Wickets
Saeed Ajmal was a spinner from Pakistan. He played from 2009 to 2014. He was known for his “doosra” and other spin tricks. In his career, he took 36 wickets in the T20 World Cup.
He played 23 matches. His best bowling was 4 wickets for 19 runs. His economy rate was 6.79. Ajmal was very important for Pakistan’s bowling attack. He is tied with Adam Zampa and Tim Southee on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 36 Wickets
Tim Southee is a fast bowler from New Zealand. He swings the ball very well. He has played in T20 World Cups for a very long time, from 2010 to 2024.
Southee has taken 36 wickets in 25 matches. His best bowling is 3 wickets for 4 runs. This is an incredible figure. His economy rate is 6.99. Southee uses his experience to get batters out. He is the top fast bowler from New Zealand on this list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Anrich Nortje (South Africa) – 35 Wickets
Anrich Nortje is a very fast bowler from South Africa. He bowls with high speed. He played from 2021 to 2024. In this short time, he has taken 35 wickets.
He played 19 matches, the same number as Hasaranga. His best bowling is 4 wickets for 7 runs. But the most amazing thing is his economy rate. It is 5.55. This is the best economy rate on this entire list. Batters find it very hard to score against him. He is a dangerous bowler on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 35 Wickets
Ajantha Mendis was a mystery spinner from Sri Lanka. He played from 2009 to 2014. He took 35 wickets in 21 matches.
Mendis has the best bowling figures of anyone on this list. He took 6 wickets for just 8 runs in a single match. This is a record performance. His economy rate was 6.70. Ajantha Mendis was a bowler who confused many batters. His place on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cup history is well deserved.
Detailed Stats: Players with Most Wickets in T20 World Cup
To understand the most wickets in T20 World Cup history better, we should look at the numbers side by side. Here is a breakdown of the top players.
- Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): He played from 2007 to 2024. He has 50 wickets in 43 matches. His best is 4/9.
- Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): He played from 2007 to 2016. He has 39 wickets in 34 matches. His best is 4/11.
- Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): He played from 2007 to 2014. He has 38 wickets in 31 matches. His best is 5/31.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): He played from 2021 to 2024. He has 37 wickets in 19 matches. His best is 3/8.
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): He played from 2016 to 2024. He has 37 wickets in 23 matches. His best is 4/9.
- Adam Zampa (Australia): He played from 2016 to 2024. He has 36 wickets in 21 matches. His best is 5/19.
- Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan): He played from 2009 to 2014. He has 36 wickets in 23 matches. His best is 4/19.
- Tim Southee (New Zealand): He played from 2010 to 2024. He has 36 wickets in 25 matches. His best is 3/4.
- Anrich Nortje (South Africa): He played from 2021 to 2024. He has 35 wickets in 19 matches. His best is 4/7.
- Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka): He played from 2009 to 2014. He has 35 wickets in 21 matches. His best is 6/8.
This list shows that spin bowlers and fast bowlers both can succeed. However, spinners like Shakib, Afridi, Hasaranga, and Rashid Khan are very dominant. The most wickets in T20 World Cup list is full of variety.
The Indian Bowler with Most Wickets
Many fans ask about Indian players. Which Indian bowler has picked the most wickets in T20 World Cup history? The answer is Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin is a former India all-rounder. He is the highest wicket-taker from India in this tournament. He is 39 years old. On the overall list, he is in 13th place. Ashwin has taken 32 wickets in T20 World Cup history. His career in the World Cup spanned from 2012 to 2022. While he is not in the top 10 globally, being the best from India is a big honor.
