Most Wickets in a Single Edition of T20 World Cup
When you look at the best economy rates and averages in the T20 world cups, you would see that most of the bowlers would be spinners. However, seamers might get to be on the expensive side in this format but still manages to pick wickets, considering the fact they get to bowl in the death overs.
There have been quicks who have had enjoyed quite a success in T20 world cups. The likes of Umar Gul, Dayle Steyn and Dwayne Bravo do have quite an impressive record apart from the spinners which feature in the list.
In this article we look at the top 5 bowlers with the most number of wickets in a single edition of T20 World Cup:
#1. Ajantha Mendis
A spinner who had a plethora of variations in his arsenal, Ajantha Mendis announced his arrival by exhibiting a sensational performance in the 2008 Asia Cup, helping the side lift the trophy.
He picked a record figure of 6 for 13 in the final against India as the famed Indian batting line up looked clueless against the mystery spinner.
Ajantha played a defining role in Sri Lanka in the 2012 edition of the T20 World Cup.
He picked the most number of wickets in the tournament. The Sri Lankan spinner played 6 matches in the tournament and took 15 wickets at a jaw-dropping average of 9.80.
#2. Dirk Nannes
One of the very few players who have represented more than two nations, Dirk Nannes played cricket for both Netherlands and Australia. The left-handed seamer boasts of the vast experience of playing T20 franchise tournaments across the globe. In the IPL, he has played for three different franchises, in Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Daredevils.
Playing for Australia in the 2010 edition of the World Cup, Nannes claimed the most number of wickets in the tournament with 14 wickets to his name in 7 games. He took all those wickets at an average of 13.07 and a strike rate of 11.1.
#3. Umar Gul
Pakistan’s tall and lethal fast bowler, Umar Gul is counted amongst the greatest T20 bowlers of all time. Known for his exemplary out-swingers and toe-crushing yorkers, Umar Gul enjoyed the maximum success in the shortest format of the game.
Gul was one of the vital cogs in Pakistan’s bowling attack for the first two editions of the T20 World Cup. In the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup, Umar Gul wreaked havoc with his fierce bowling. He helped Pakistan reach the final and picked 13 wickets during the tournament with a stellar average of 11.92.
#4. Umar Gul
The Pakistan bower produced a similar effect with the ball in the 2009 edition of the T20 world cup, becoming the highest wicket-taker for the second consecutive time.
Umar once again ended the season with 13 wickets to his name in seven matches at an average of 12.15.
Umar Gul has played 130 matches in his ODI career where he managed to pick 179 wickets at an average of 29.3 and an economy of under 6. The 35-year old has also played 47 test matches for his country and had picked 163 wickets at an economy of 3.47.
#5. Imran Tahir
There are not many bowlers who have made their debut in as big a tournament as World Cup. Imran Tahir was one of them. Making his debut in the 2011 edition of the World Cup, Imran Tahir became the lead bowler for South Africa in just a few years.
Tahir has been exceptional for South Africa in every World Cup he has been part of. His one of the best performances came in the 2014 edition of the T20 World Cup, where he returned with the highest wickets in the tournament. He picked 12 wickets in just 5 games for the team, with a jaw-dropping average and strike rate of 10.91 and 10.
