Top five Highest wicket-takers of the T20 World Cup

Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took the record 16 wickets during the latest 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup to prove the importance of bowlers in the shortest format of the game. Asian bowlers have always dominated the T20 World Cup from the start when Pakistani pacer Umar Gul took the highest wickets in the first two editions of the tournament. On that note, here’s a look at the top five wicket-takers in the tournament:

5. Ajantha Mendis (35 wickets)

Sri Lankan mystery spinner took 35 wickets in just 21 T20 World Cup appearances at an average of 15.02 and at an economy rate of 6.70. His bowling average of 15.02 is the best among the top-ten leading wicket-takers. He took 15 wickets from just six matches during the 2012 edition and is the only cricketer to take a six-wicket haul in T20 World Cup history. Mendis also holds the record for the best bowling figure, as he took six wickets while conceding only eight runs against Zimbabwe during the 2012 edition.

4. Saeed Ajmal (36 wickets)

The former Pakistani off-spinner took 36 wickets from just 23 T20 World Cup matches at an average of 16.86 and at an economy rate of 6.79. Saeed took 85 wickets from just 64 matches during his seven-year T20I career. His best bowling figure of 4/19 came against Ireland during the title-winning 2009 edition.

3. Lasith Malinga (38 wickets)

Known for his accurate yorkers, Sri Lankan speedster dominated the shortest format with 107 wickets from 84 T20I matches. Malinga has taken 38 wickets from 31 T20 World Cup innings at an average of 20.07 and an economy rate of 7.43 with a five-wicket spell. Malinga captained Sri Lanka to their World Cup triumph in 2014 and is the only pace bowler in this chart.

2. Shahid Afridi (39 wickets)

The legendary Pakistani all-rounder played the first six editions of the T20 World Cup and always produced big spells with his off-spin. Afridi took 39 wickets from 34 innings at an average of 23.25 and at an economy rate of 6.71 with the help of two four-wicket spells. He won the player of the match in the final of 2009 edition to guide Pakistan to their first-ever T20 World Cup title. But his best performance came in the first edition, where he took 12 wickets to win the player of the tournament award.

1. Shakib Al Hasan (41 wickets)

The current Bangladesh captain has taken the highest number of wickets – 122 in 104 T20I innings so far and also tops the wickets chart in T20 World Cup as well. Shakib has taken 41 wickets in just 31 T20 World Cup innings at an average of 17.29 and at an impressive economy rate of 6.43. Shakib’s best T20 World Cup spell came against Oman during the 2021 edition where he took four wickets for nine runs. Notably, Shakib also ranks among top-ten run-getters in the T20 World Cup history.