Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan holds the record of taking the most wickets in T20 World Cup history. Shakib has taken 50 wickets in 43 matches at a brilliant average of 20.12 and a decent economy rate of 6.86. He has taken three 4-wicket hauls and has the best figures of 4/9 against PNG in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan’s Umar Gul was the top wicket-taker in the first two T20 World Cups in 2007 and 2009.
- Pakistan and Sri Lanka bowlers dominate the top 10 list of most wickets in T20 World Cups.
- Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi and India's Arshdeep Singh are the highest wicket-takers of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
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The 9th edition of the T20 World Cup was held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to 29, 2024. 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 seen a number of close finishes and bowlers showing their magic to dismiss batters. So, who are the bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history?
Most Wickets Taken in the T20 World Cup
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) | 43 | 50 | 4/9 | 6.86 | 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 | Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 19 | 37 | 3/8 | 6.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Rashid Khan (AFG) | 23 | 37 | 4/9 | 6.30 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Adam Zampa (AUS) | 21 | 36 | 5/19 | 6.10 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 23 | 36 | 4/19 | 6.79 | 3 | 0 |
| 8 | Tim Southee (NZ) | 25 | 36 | 3/4 | 6.99 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 21 | 35 | 6/8 | 6.70 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | Umar Gul (PAK) | 24 | 35 | 5/6 | 7.30 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | Anrich Nortje (SA) | 19 | 35 | 4/7 | 5.55 | 3 | 0 |
| 12 | Trent Boult (NZ) | 18 | 34 | 4/13 | 5.93 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) | 24 | 32 | 4/11 | 6.49 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 25 | 32 | 3/20 | 8.39 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Chris Jordan (ENG) | 23 | 31 | 4/10 | 8.06 | 1 | 0 |
Top Wicket-Takers in T20 World Cup History
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 50 wickets
The Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is at the top of the chart for most wickets in the T20 World Cup. Known for his accurate spin bowling and variations, Shakib has taken 50 wickets in 43 T20 World Cup matches. His ability to control the flow of runs and pick up crucial wickets makes him a match-winner for the Bangla Tigers.
Also read: Most Runs in T20 World Cup
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 39 wickets
Pakistan's Shahid "Boom Boom" Afridi occupies 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 key player for Pakistan during the World Cups. He last played 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. Known for his slingy action, deceptive slower deliveries, and lethal yorkers, Malinga has bagged 38 wickets in 31 T20 World Cup matches. His mastery of the death overs has proved instrumental in Sri Lanka's title win in the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 37 wickets
Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has taken 37 wickets in just 19 T20 World Cup matches. His deceptive googly and sharp deliveries have troubled many batters in recent years. His ability to take wickets at crucial points has been a valuable asset for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga finished as the top wicket-taker in the last two T20 World Cups.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - 37 wickets
Afghanistan's captain and leg-spinner Rashid Khan has bagged 37 wickets in 22 T20 World Cup matches. Rashid has played in 4 T20 World Cups from 2016 to 2024 and has best figures of 4/9 against Scotland in Sharjah, 2021. Rashid has taken 14 wickets in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Adam Zampa (Australia) - 36 wickets
Australia's leg-spinner Adam Zampa has taken 36 wickets in 20 T20 World Cup matches. He made his World Cup debut in 2016 and was crucial to Australia's success during the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. He has a brilliant economy of 6.10 and strike rate of 12.55. Zampa (after 4/12 against Namibia) is now the leading wicket-taker for Australia in the T20 World Cup.
Also read: Players with Most Fifties in T20 World Cup History
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 ability to deceive batters with his variations made him a regular wicket-taker for the Men in Green.
Tim Southee (New Zealand) - 36 wickets
The right-arm fast bowler from New Zealand, Tim Southee brings his pace and swing to the table. He has bagged 34 wickets in 24 T20 World Cup matches and was runner-up in the 2021 edition. Tim Southee played in 7 T20 World Cups from 2010 to 2024 and has best figures of 3/4 against Uganda in Tarouba, 2024.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) - 35 wickets
Sri Lanka's mystery spinner, Ajantha Mendis, is fifth on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cups. Mendis, known for his unorthodox bowling style and number of variations, picked up 35 wickets in just 21 T20 World Cup matches. He played in only three T20 World Cups and won the title in 2014.
Also read: List of Top 10 International T20 Highest Innings
Umar Gul (Pakistan) - 35 wickets
Former Pakistan pace bowler Umar Gul features sixth on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cups. Gul has taken 35 wickets in 24 T20 World Cup matches. Famous for his pace and swing bowling, Gul's ability to pick up early wickets proved crucial for Pakistan's bowling attack. He was the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in T20 World Cups.
Also read: Fastest Fifty in T20 World Cup History
Most Wickets in a Single World Cup
| T20 World Cup | Player | Wickets | Bowl Average | 4W | 5W |
| 2024 | Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG) | 17 | 9.41 | 1 | 1 |
| 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
Who has the most wickets in T20 World Cup history?
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has the most wickets in the T20 World Cup. Shakib has taken 50 wickets in 43 matches at an average of 20.12 with 3 four-wicket hauls.
Who has the most wickets in the one T20 World Cup?
Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi and India's Arshdeep Singh holds the record for taking the most wickets in one T20 World Cup. Both took 17 wickets during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Who is the highest wicket taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup?
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Arshdeep Singh have the most wickets in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Farooqi and Arshdeep has taken 17 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 9.41 and 12.64 respectively.
Who has taken the most wickets for India in T20 World Cup?
Ravichandran Ashwin is the top wicket taker for India in T20 World Cup history. He has taken 32 wickets in 24 matches at a bowling average of 17.25 with best figures of 4/11.
