Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan secures the top position! But who else is part of the elite group of top wicket-takers in the T20 World Cup? Discover more.
Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan holds the record of taking the most wickets in T20 World Cup history. He has taken 47 wickets in 36 matches at a brilliant average of 18.63 and a having an economy rate of 6.78. He has taken three times 4-wicket hauls and has the best figures of 4/9 against PNG in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
The T20 World Cup 2024 is yet to start, so guys keep your eyes on your favorite player’s performances and recent forms to make your Fantasy Cricket Team on Dream11 App. So in this article, you will discover the bowler with most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Read: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule, Matches, Fixtures, Venues, Team Lists
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Most Wickets Taken in the T20 World Cup
The 9th edition of the T20 World Cup will be started on 1 June 2024 and is set to be held in the West Indies and the USA. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the biggest platform of cricketing action and is known for its fast-paced, action-packed format. The tournament has witnessed numerous tight finishes and bowlers showcasing their skills to take down batters. So, who are the bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history?
Here are the top 15 bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
| Rank | Player | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Economy Rate | 4W | 5W |
| 1 | Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 36 | 47 | 4/9 | 6.78 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 34 | 39 | 4/11 | 6.71 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Lasith Malinga (SL) | 31 | 38 | 5/31 | 7.43 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 23 | 36 | 4/19 | 6.79 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 21 | 35 | 6/8 | 6.70 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Umar Gul (PAK) | 24 | 35 | 5/6 | 7.30 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) | 24 | 32 | 4/11 | 6.49 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 16 | 31 | 3/8 | 5.81 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Dale Steyn (SA) | 23 | 30 | 4/17 | 6.96 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Stuart Broad (ENG) | 26 | 30 | 3/17 | 7.72 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Tim Southee (NZ) | 22 | 29 | 3/6 | 7.59 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 20 | 27 | 3/20 | 8.35 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Dwayne Bravo (WI) | 34 | 27 | 4/38 | 8.81 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | Trent Boult (NZ) | 14 | 25 | 4/13 | 6.57 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | Ish Sodhi (NZ) | 17 | 25 | 3/18 | 7.04 | 0 | 0 |
Top 10 Wicket-Takers in T20 World Cup History
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 47 wickets
Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan is the leading wickets taker in the T20 World Cup History and stands at 1st position in the table for bowlers with most wickets in the T20 World Cup history. He played 36 matches T20 World Cup matches where he took 47 wickets with an average of 18.63 and an economy of 6.78. His ability to control the flow of runs and pick up crucial wickets makes him a match-winner for the Bangla Tigers.
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 39 wickets
Pakistan’s Shahid “Boom Boom” Afridi secures the second place on the list of the most wickets in T20 World Cup history. Afridi has picked up 39 wickets in 34 T20 World Cup matches. His unorthodox leg-spin and fiery attitude on the field made him a crucial player for Pakistan during the World Cups. His final appearance was in the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 38 wickets
Sri Lanka’s Lasith “Slinger” Malinga is a true legend of T20 cricket renowned for his slingy action, deceptive slower deliveries, and lethal yorkers. He appeared in 31 T20 World Cup matches, and bagged 38 wickets. His bowling skills and mastery of the bowling in the death overs have proved instrumental in Sri Lanka’s title win in the 2014 T20 World Cup.
read: Top Teams & Players With Most Sixes in IPL: Most Sixes in IPL (2008-2024)
Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) – 36 wickets
Pakistan’s off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal, was known for his doosra deliveries and exceptional control. He took 36 wickets in 23 T20 World Cup matches before his retirement in 2014. His phenomenal ability to deceive batters with his different variations made him a regular wicket-taker for the Men in Green.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 35 wickets
Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis is the fifth most wicket taker bowler in the T20 World Cup Matches. Mendis, renowned for his unorthodox bowling style and numerous variations, took 35 wickets in only 21 T20 World Cup matches. He played in only three T20 World Cups.
Umar Gul (Pakistan) – 35 wickets
Pakistan’s right-arm fast bowler Umar Gul stands in the sixth position on the list with 35 wickets in 24 T20 World Cup matches. He was renowned for his pace and swing bowling, and Gul’s ability to pick up early wickets proved crucial for Pakistan’s bowling attack and he was the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20 World Cups.
Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 32 wickets
India’s spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin is renowned for his unique bowling action and variations. His deceptive off-spin and ability to dismiss batters with his numerous variations make him outsmart the bowler, resulting in 32 wickets in 24 T20 World Cup matches. Ashwin’s best figures of 4/11 were against Australia in Mirpur during the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 31 wickets
Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has taken 31 wickets in just 16 T20 World Cup matches. His tricky googly and sharp deliveries have caused problems for many batters in recent years. His ability to take wickets at crucial moments makes him a valuable asset for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the last two T20 World Cups.
Dale Steyn (South Africa) – 30 wickets
The Proteas right-arm fast bowler from South Africa, Dale Steyn, is known for his speed, swing, and deadly yorkers. He has clinched 30 wickets in 23 T20 World Cup matches. Steyn’s ability to bowl fast deliveries with precise accuracy threatens every batting order. Dale Steyn played in 4 T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2016.
check: Highest Strike Rate In T20: Top 10 Batsman With Highest Strike Rate In T20 Cricket
Stuart Broad (England) – 30 wickets
British retired pace bowler Stuart Broad has taken 30 wickets in 26 T20 World Cup matches and made his World Cup debut in 2007, where he was hit for 6 sixes in an over by Yuvraj Singh famously. Broad becomes the crucial bowler to England’s success during the 2010 T20 World Cup in the West Indies.
Most Wickets in a Single World Cup
| T20 World Cup | Player | Wickets | Bowl Average | 4W | 5W |
| 2022 | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 15 | 13.26 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 16 | 9.75 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | Mohammad Nabi (AFG) | 12 | 13.66 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | Imran Tahir (SA) | 12 | 10.91 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 15 | 9.80 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | Dirk Nannes (AUS) | 14 | 13.07 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | Umar Gul (PAK) | 13 | 12.15 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | Umar Gul (PAK) | 13 | 11.92 | 1 | 0 |
FAQs on Bowlers With Most Wickets in T20 World Cup History
Q1. How many bowlers took 7 wickets in the World Cup?
Ans. Five bowlers, including Shami, have taken 7 wickets in a World Cup match.
Q2. Who has taken the Most wickets in T20 World Cup for India?
Ans. Ravichandran Ashwin
Q3. Who has taken the Most wickets in T20 World Cup 2007?
Ans. Umar Gul
Q4. Who has taken the Most wickets in T20 International?
Ans. Shakib Al Hasan