As the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies approaches, starting Sunday, the role of bowlers will once again come under the spotlight. The tournament will bring fresh challenges and opportunities for players and stakeholders alike. For aspiring bowlers, examining the performances of the top wicket-takers in the history of the T20 World Cup can provide valuable insights. Here, we highlight five of the most successful bowlers in the tournament’s history and discuss their achievements.
Topping the list is Bangladesh’s legendary all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has played in every T20 World Cup from 2007 to 2022. Shakib has taken 47 wickets in 35 innings, with an average of 18.63, making him the highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history.
Shakib’s journey in the T20 World Cup began with a four-wicket haul against the West Indies in 2007. Despite Bangladesh’s struggles in the early editions, Shakib’s individual performances remained exceptional. His best year came in 2021 when he took 11 wickets in six games, including a remarkable 4/9 against Papua New Guinea.
Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi, the Pakistani all-rounder, is second on the list with 39 wickets in 34 innings, averaging 23.25. Afridi was the Player of the Tournament in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup, thanks to his explosive batting and effective leg-spin bowling.
In 2009, Afridi played a key role in Pakistan’s title-winning campaign, taking at least one wicket in every game and achieving his best T20 World Cup figures of 4/11 against the Netherlands.
Lasith Malinga
Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga ranks third on this list with 38 wickets in 31 matches, averaging 20.07. Known for his unique slinging action and deadly yorkers, Malinga is the highest wicket-taking fast bowler in T20 World Cup history.
Malinga made an immediate impact in the inaugural 2007 edition, and his performances only improved in subsequent tournaments. His standout moment came in 2014 when he captained Sri Lanka to victory. He played a crucial role in the semi-final against the West Indies, taking 2/5, and was pivotal in securing Sri Lanka’s first T20 World Cup title.
Saeed Ajmal
Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was a formidable force in T20 cricket until his career was interrupted by a ban for an illegal bowling action in 2014. In 23 matches between 2009 and 2014, Ajmal took 36 wickets at an average of 16.86.
Ajmal’s ability to outfox batsmen with his mysterious deliveries made him one of the toughest bowlers to face. His best performance in the T20 World Cup was a 4/19 spell against Ireland in 2009. Over his first three seasons, he picked up 12, 11, and nine wickets, respectively, showcasing his consistency and skill.
Ajantha Mendis
Ajantha Mendis, a right-arm spinner from Sri Lanka, is fifth on this prestigious list. Between 2009 and 2014, Mendis took 35 wickets in just 21 appearances, boasting an impressive bowling average of 15.02, the best among the top five wicket-takers. His remarkable figures of 6/8 against Zimbabwe in 2012 remain the best in the tournament’s history.
Mendis’s performance was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s campaigns during the 2009 and 2010 editions. However, during Sri Lanka’s title-winning run in 2014, he managed only four wickets, which slightly dimmed his otherwise stellar T20 World Cup record.
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