Most Wickets in T20 World Cup History
For a cricketer, nothing is bigger than the World Cup. The 2022 T20 World Cup started on 16th October 2022 in Australia. It gives cricket fans an opportunity to enhance their viewing experience by playing fantasy cricket on the Howzat fantasy app.
Batters might be the ones who are under the spotlight for their respective teams, but bowlers are the ones who have the task of taking wickets and bringing home the victory the team desires.
Most Wickets in T20 World Cup: Top 10 Highest Wicket Taker List
Bangladesh’s star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has taken the most wickets in T20 World Cup history, with 47 wickets to his name at an average of 18.63 and an economy rate of 6.78. He has played in all 8 editions of the T20 World Cup.
Let's take a look at the top 10 highest wicket takers in the T20 World Cup over the 8 editions played.
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Matches | Best Figures | Average | Economy Rate |
| 1 | Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 47 | 36 | 4/9 | 18.63 | 6.78 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 39 | 34 | 4/11 | 23.25 | 6.71 |
| 3 | Lasith Malinga (SL) | 38 | 31 | 5/31 | 20.07 | 7.43 |
| 4 | Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 36 | 23 | 4/19 | 16.86 | 6.79 |
| 5 | Ajanta Mendis (SL) | 35 | 21 | 6/8 | 15.02 | 6.7 |
| 6 | Umar Gul (PAK) | 35 | 24 | 5/6 | 17.25 | 7.3 |
| 7 | Ravi Ashwin (IND) | 32 | 23 | 4/11 | 16.4 | 6.32 |
| 8 | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 31 | 16 | 3/8 | 28.96 | 8.81 |
| 9 | Dale Steyn (SA) | 30 | 23 | 4/17 | 19.3 | 6.96 |
| 10 | Stuart Broad (ENG) | 30 | 26 | 3/17 | 22.36 | 7.72 |
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): 47 wickets
Bangladesh team all-rounder and current captain Shakib Al Hasan has taken 47 wickets in 36 matches at a healthy strike rate of 16.4 including three 4-wicket hauls. He broke the previous record of most wickets by Shahid Afridi during the 2021 T20 World Cup. Apart from his brilliant bowling, Shakib has also made 742 runs at a decent strike rate of 122.44 including 3 half centuries.
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): 39 wickets
Given his six-hitting ability, people often forget what a great bowler Shahid Afridi was in T20Is. His wicket-taking threat and the ability to control runs in mid-innings made him so valuable in the Pakistan team. His economy rate of 6.71 across 34 matches was simply outstanding. In the 2009 T20 World Cup, he was the Player of the Match in both the semi-final and the final.
Also read: Who is the Fastest Bowler in the World?
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): 38 wickets
One of only 9 bowlers to take 5 wickets or more in a T20 World Cup match, Lastih Malinga was the original death-overs destroyer. With an awkward sling action that batters found hard to adjust to, Malinga could send down yorkers at will and at a fierce pace. He took 38 wickets at an average of 20.07. Malinga was Sri Lanka’s captain when the team won the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan): 36 wickets
Saeed Ajmal may mostly be remembered for that unforgettable final over in the 2010 T20 World Cup semi-final, but that disappointment aside, he was a magical off-spin bowler capable of troubling the batters with his variations and accuracy. Ajmal was an integral part of the Pakistan team that won the tournament in 2009 and reached the semi-finals in 2010 and 2012. He took 36 wickets in 23 matches at an average of 16.86 and an economy rate of 6.79.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka): 35 wickets
Ajantha Mendis is one of the greatest bowlers in T20 World Cup history. He played the least number of matches among the top 5 wicket takers but has a better bowling average (15.02) and a better strike rate (13.4) than the rest. Also, Ajantha Mendis is the only bowler to take 6 wickets in a T20 World Cup match, with figures of 6 for 8 against Zimbabwe in 2012.
Also read: Most Fifties in T20 World Cup
Umar Gul (Pakistan): 35 wickets
Umar Gul’s amazing spell of 5/6 against New Zealand in the 2009 T20 World Cup remains one of the most memorable spells of bowling seen at a major tournament. Blessed with height and the ability to extract steep bouncers, Gul was also an expert at slipping in fast yorkers. After Pakistan lost the 2007 T20 World Cup final to India, he was part of the winning side in 2009. Gul took 35 wickets in 24 matches at an average of 17.25 and an economy rate of 7.3.
Most Wickets in T20 World Cup: Highest Wickets in Each Edition
FAQs
Who took the first hat-trick in T20 World Cup 2022?
As of 19th October, UAE's spinner Karthik Meiyappan has picked up the first hat-trick of T20 World Cup 2022. On 4 November 2022, Ireland's pacer Josh Little picked up the second hat-trick of T20 World Cup 2022 against New Zealand.
Who is the best bowler in T20 internationals?
England's Adil Rashid is currently ranked No. 1 in the World T20I rankings. He has taken 107 wickets in 104 matches at a bowling average of 25.21 and an economy rate of 7.38.
Who has taken the most wickets in T20 internationals?
Tim Southee of New Zealand has taken the most wickets in T20Is. He has 151 wickets from 118 matches at an average of 22.96 with two 4-wicket hauls and two 5-wicket hauls.
Who has taken the most catches in T20 World Cup?
South Africa’s AB de Villiers has taken the most catches in T20 World Cup. He has taken 23 catches in 30 matches with the best of 3 in one match.
Who has done the most stumpings in T20 World Cup?
Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal has done the most stumpings in T20 World Cup. He has done 18 stumpings in 30 matches with the best of 4 in one match.
