Top 5: Most Wickets in T20 World Cup

Asian bowlers have dominated the wicket charts in T20 World Cup history.

In this article, we will talk about the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in the T20 World Cup.

5. Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan)

The Pakistani off-spinner Saeed took 36 wickets in 23 matches in the T20 World Cup at an average of 16.86 and an economy rate of 6.79.

Pakistan won the 2009 T20 World Cup, and Saeed Ajmal played a major role in the victory. He picked up 12 wickets at an average of 13.58, and his economy rate was around 6 runs per over.

Saeed Ajmal’s best figures of 4 wickets for 19 runs came against Ireland at the Kennington Oval, London, in the 2009 T20 World Cup. Pakistan won the match by 39 runs.

4. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lankan captain Hasaranaga has taken around 37 wickets in the T20 World Cup in just 19 matches. His bowling average has been below 12, and his economy rate is around 6.

The Sri Lankan leg spinner played his first T20 World Cup in 2021, and he ended up being the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 9.75 and an economy rate below 6 runs per over.

Hasaranga picked up a hat-trick against South Africa at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, in match 25 of the T20 World Cup 2021.

3. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Malinga picked up 38 wickets in 31 matches in T20 World Cup history at an average of 20 and an economy rate of 7. The Sri Lankan pacer led his team to win the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Malinga picked up two early in the semi-final against the West Indies, dismissing Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith. He bowled a spell of 5 runs for 2 wickets in 2 overs.

Malinga’s best T20 World Cup figures of 5 for 31 came against England in the 2012 T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka won the match by 19 runs.

2. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi played 34 T20 World Cup matches, picking up 39 wickets at an average of 23.25 and an economy rate of 6.71.

The leg-spinning all-rounder won the Player of the Tournament award in the 2009 T20 World Cup for picking up 11 wickets at an average of 13.5 and for scoring 176 runs from 7 matches.

Afridi picked up 4 wickets for 11 runs, his best figures of the T20 World Cup against the Netherlands at Lord’s in the 2009 T20 World Cup.

1. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan became the first bowler to scalp 50 wickets in T20 World Cup history. The left-arm spin bowling all-rounder has played in every edition from 2007 until 2024, picking up 50 wickets at an average of 20.12 and an economy rate of around 7.

Shakib’s best bowling performance came against Oman in match 12 of the T20 World Cup 2016. Shakib picked up 4 wickets for 15 runs in his 3 overs, and Bangladesh won the match by 54 runs.

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