The shortest format of the game has helped the bowlers to produce new variations in their bowling. The new variations have definitely assisted the bowlers to get more wickets in the T20s. The first-ever T20 World Cup was played in 2007 and therefore 5 more World Cups have been played so far. Let’s contemplate the bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Most Wickets In T20 World Cup
Current Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan has grabbed the most wickets in the T20 World Cup with 41 wickets in 31 games. Pakistani great Shahid Afridi held the record previously, Shakib broke it in the ongoing 2021 T20 World Cup. With a healthy strike rate of 16.1, the Bangladeshi left-arm spinner has bagged 3 four-wicket hauls too. Apart from brilliant bowling, Shakib has amassed 698 runs in 31 matches at a decent strike rate of 124.64.
| Matches | wickets | average | strike-rate | Best bowling | economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 31 | 41 | 17.29 | 16.1 | 4/9 | 6.43 | 0 |
Most Wickets In T20I World Cup 2007
Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul bagged the most number of 13 wickets in the T20I World Cup 2007. Gul had raw pace and the ability to swing the ball with the new and old ball. He was one of them who took Pakistan into the finals of the 2007 T20 World Cup.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate | Best bowling | Economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 7 | 13 | 11.92 | 12.7 | 4/25 | 5.60 | 0 |
Most Wickets In T20 World Cup 2009
For the second consecutive time, Paksitani pace sensation Umar Gul grabbed the most number of 13 wickets in the T20I World Cup 2009. In the 2009 T20 World Cup Pakistan became the champions and Gul registered the record of being the first bowler to take most wickets in two consecutive T20 World Cups. In that season, he bagged wickets at an average of 12.15, which means he was a frequent wicket-taker for Pakistan.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate | Best bowling | Economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 7 | 13 | 12.15 | 11.3 | 5/6 | 6.44 | 1 |
Most Wickets In T20I World Cup 2010
Australian left-arm seamer Dirk Nannes took the most number of 14 wickets in the T20 World Cup 2010. Dirk Nannes started his international career for the Netherlands in 2009. Later he moved to Australia to play cricket. He has played internationals for 1 year (2009-2010) and became the highest wicket-taker in his very first T20 World Cup in 2009.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate | Best bowling | Economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 7 | 14 | 13.07 | 11.1 | 4/18 | 7.03 | 0 |
Most Wickets In T20 World Cup 2012
Former Sri Lankan spin wizard Ajantha Mendis bagged the most number of 15 wickets in the T20I World Cup 2012. Mendis is also one of the top 10 wicket-takers in T20 cricket history with 66 wickets in 39 matches. Mendis was known for his variations during his playing days. Ajantha Mendis also holds the record of taking the most number of wickets (15) in a single T20I World Cup edition. His 6/8 against Zimbabwe in the 2012 T20 World Cup is the 2nd best bowling figure in T20 international.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate | Best bowling | Economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 6 | 15 | 9.80 | 9.6 | 6/8 | 6.12 | 1 |
Most Wickets In T20I World Cup 2014
South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir got the most number of 12 wickets in the T20 World Cup 2014. Tahir is one of the most important bowlers of the South African bowling lineup. Tahir is known for extraordinary googlies. Tahir is sort of a bowler which every team wants to have in the franchise leagues.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate | Best bowling | Economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 5 | 12 | 10.91 | 10 | 4/21 | 6.55 | 0 |
Most Wickets In T20 World Cup 2016
Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi grabbed the most number of 12 wickets in the T20I World Cup 2016. Nabi is also a handy batsman, has the ability to smash bowlers all around the park. Nabi is one of the important players behind the rise of Afghanistan cricket in the international circuit.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate | Best bowling | Economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 7 | 12 | 13.66 | 13.5 | 4/20 | 6.07 | 0 |
Most Wickets In T20 World Cup 2021
Srilankan allrounder, Wanindu Hasaranfa ended the 2021 T20 World Cup as the highest wicket-taker. His 16 wickets in 8 matches in the 2021 T20 WC is the most by any player in a single edition. Hasaranga became the 3rd player to take a hat-trick in the T20 World Cup in 2021, taking it against South Africa. Despite Hasaranga’s brilliant efforts, Sri Lanka couldn’t reach the knockouts of the T20 WC.
Most Wickets In T20 World Cup By An Indian
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has grabbed the most number of 26 wickets so far in the T20 World Cup. Ashwin has represented India in 4 T20 World Cups (2012-2021). Ashwin is prominent for his variations, he has every ball in his closet including off-break, carrom, googly. In spite of Ashwin’s great run with the ball in the 2016 T20 World Cup, India got knocked out in the finals.
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate | Best bowling | Economy | 5-wicket haul |
| 18 | 26 | 15.26 | 15.2 | 4/11 | 6.01 | 0 |
Top 10 Bowlers With Most Wickets in T20 World Cup
| Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate | BBF | 5-wickets |
| Shakib Al Hasan ( BAN) | 31 | 30 | 41 | 17.29 | 16.1 | 4/9 | – |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 34 | 34 | 39 | 23.25 | 20.7 | 4/11 | – |
| Lasith Malinga (SL) | 31 | 31 | 38 | 20.07 | 16.2 | 5/31 | 1 |
| Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 23 | 23 | 36 | 16.86 | 14.8 | 4/19 | – |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 21 | 21 | 35 | 15.02 | 13.4 | 6/8 | 1 |
| Umar Gul (Pak) | 24 | 24 | 35 | 17.25 | 14.1 | 5/6 | 1 |
| Dale Steyn (SA) | 23 | 23 | 30 | 19.30 | 16.6 | 4/17 | – |
| Stuart Broad (ENG) | 26 | 25 | 30 | 22.36 | 17.3 | 3/17 | – |
| Dwayne Bravo (WI) | 34 | 27 | 27 | 28.96 | 19.7 | 4/38 | – |
| Ravi Ashwin (IND) | 18 | 18 | 26 | 15.26 | 15.2 | 4/11 | – |
Shakib Al Hasan has taken the most wickets in T20 World Cup, 41 wickets.
Imran Tahir has the best bowling average in T20 World Cup (11.88).