T20 cricket is the reason the bowlers have been developing new deliveries each day. Earlier the bowlers used to ball inswingers, Outwinger, bouncers, or yorkers. But the use of slower deliveries has incremented since the introduction of the franchise league especially. Now each bowler has at least two variations apart from the stock ball. Cutters and knuckleballs have been dangerous weapons in T20 cricket. There are many bowlers who are conquering T20 internationals. Let’s look at the top players with the most wickets in T20 internationals.

Tim Southee
Kiwi speedster Tim Southee seals the top spot on the list of grabbing the most wickets (144) in the shortest format of the international T20. Southee is an awesome new ball bowler, who takes the ball away from the right-handers. He has been representing New Zealand in the T20s since 2008. He played his first T20 international against England. In every 17 balls, Southee bags a wicket in T20I.
Shakib-Al-Hasan
Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan has taken the most wickets in the T20Is, with 140 wickets in 117 games. He is the only Bangladeshi on the list. Shakib is currently one of the best all-rounders playing the game. He made his first appearance in the T20s for Bangladesh in 2006 against Zimbabwe. He has been playing for 16 years now at the highest level.
Rashid Khan
Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan occupies the 3rd spot based on grabbing the most wickets in international T20s. He is the youngest on the list and also has the best bowling average in the shortest format of the game. Rashid made his T20 debut in 2015 against Zimbabwe. His outstanding bowling has increased his demands in franchise leagues across the globe. The leggie has bagged 130 wickets in 82 matches to date.
Ish Sodhi
Kiwi leggie, Ish Sodhi has secured a place in this elite list with 126 wickets in 102 matches. Sodhi has been a significant member of the New Zealand team, especially in the game’s shortest format. The tall guy can turn the ball, do the pace, and loop variations to get batsmen out. 4 for 28 is his best show in the T20 international.
Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga has taken the 5th most wickets in T20 internationals. Malinga is probably the most lethal T20 bowler the world has ever seen. He is popular for his yorkers and slower balls. Malinga has been playing for Sri Lanka in T20s since 2006. He played his first T20 in 2006 against England. Malinga Led Sri Lanka wore the crown of the T20 World Cup in 2014. Malinga nagged 107 wickets in 84 matches.
Shadab Khan
The current vice-captain of the Pakistani team, Shadab Khan is featured in 6th place on the list of taking the most wickets in T20 international. With 104 wickets in 92 T20Is, Shadab has surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the highest wicket-taker of Pakistan. The spin wizard also has a great economy of 7.07.
Mustafizur Rahaman
Star Bangladeshi left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahaman occupies the 7th position in terms of getting the most wickets in T20 internationals. The cutter is the best weapon in his armory. With his controlled, accurate, and skillful bowling, the Southpaw has scalped 103 wickets in 85 matches. It won’t be wrong if we say he can break the record of Southee to become the highest wicket-taker among pacers in T20I.
Mitchell Santner
Mighty Kiwi’s 3rd highest wicket-taker in T20Is, Mitchell Santner has scalped 100 wickets in 90 games, the 8th most in T20 international history. the Southpaw is the white ball format specialist bowler who never fails to perform for his country. Santner can outplay any batting unit with his wicket-to-wicket arm ball and occasional turners. In the 2016 T20 WC, he bagged 4/11 in his allocated 4 overs against hosts India, which remains his career-best.
Mark Adair
Mark Adair is the new spearhead of the Irish bowling group and has etched his name on this premium tally with his hard work and consistent performance. Having the ability to swing the ball both ways, the 27-year-old has snared 98 wickets, striking at a captivating rate of 15.29. He has bagged three 4-wicket hauls, including the best bowling figure of 4/11.
Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi comes to take the 10th position in terms of scalping the most wickets in the history of international T20, with 98 scalps in 99 matches. The all-rounder from Pakistan was known for his speed variation in leg-spin bowling. The leggie made his T20 debut in 2006 against England. He has played T20 internationally for 12 years (2006-2018). Who doesn’t remember his 54* and 1 wicket in the finals of the 2009 T20 World Cup final to take his team home?
Adil Rashid
Pakistani-born English bowler, Adil Rashid also made it to this list. The new ball bowler of England has claimed 98 wickets in 97 games. bowling wicket to wicket with a bit of pinch of in-and-out deviation is his forte. Despite playing so many matches, he has been able to keep a healthy economy of 7.38.
List of Bowlers With Most Wickets in T20 International
Matches | Innings | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate | BBF | Economy | 4 wickets | 5 wickets | Maidens |
T Southee (114) | 112 | 144 | 23.62 | 17.30 | 5/18 | 8.19 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
S Al Hasan (117) | 115 | 140 | 20.49 | 18.10 | 5/20 | 6.79 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
R Khan (82) | 82 | 130 | 14.80 | 14.41 | 5/3 | 6.16 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
I Sodhi (102) | 99 | 126 | 22.39 | 16.81 | 4/28 | 7.99 | 3 | – | – |
L Malinga (84) | 83 | 107 | 20.79 | 16.8 | 5/6 | 7.42 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
S Khan (92) | 88 | 104 | 22.12 | 18.7 | 4/8 | 7.07 | 3 | – | 3 |
M Rahman (85) | 84 | 103 | 22.27 | 17.63 | 5/22 | 7.57 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
M Santner (90) | 89 | 100 | 22.06 | 18.68 | 4/11 | 7.08 | 2 | – | 2 |
S Lamichhane (52) | 52 | 98 | 12.58 | 11.98 | 5/9 | 6.29 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
M Adair (71) | 71 | 98 | 19.59 | 15.29 | 4/13 | 7.68 | 3 | – | 2 |
S Afridi (99) | 97 | 98 | 24.44 | 22.1 | 4/11 | 6.63 | 3 | – | 4 |
A Rashid (99) | 95 | 98 | 26.26 | 21.14 | 4/2 | 7.45 | 2 | – | 4 |
Y Chahal (80) | 79 | 96 | 25.09 | 18.37 | 6/25 | 8.19 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
C Jordan (88) | 87 | 96 | 27.68 | 19.04 | 4/6 | 8.72 | 3 | – | 2 |
Tim Southee has taken the most wickets in T20 internationals (144)
Yuzvendra Chahal has grabbed the most wickets in T20 internationals (96 wickets for India).
Shakib Al Hasan took the most wickets in T20 World Cup, 47 wickets in 36 games.
Shadab Khan has got the most wickets in T20 for Pakistan, 104 wickets in 92 matches.
Mark Adair has bagged the most wickets in T20I in 2023, 22 scalps in 13 matches.
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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