Top 5 Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup History

Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi are among the five highest wicket-takers in T20 World Cups (x.com)Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi are among the five highest wicket-takers in T20 World Cups (x.com)

In T20 cricket, bowlers play a crucial yet often overlooked role in comparison to the more celebrated batters. However, while batters are known to change the course of matches, the format’s two-decade history suggests that it is the bowlers who have shaped the fate of tournaments like the T20 World Cup.

As we anticipate the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA, here at OneCricket, we will highlight five of the most successful bowlers in the history of the tournament.

A look at top 5 wicket-takers in T20 World Cup history:


5. Ajantha Mendis (SL) - 35 wickets

Ajantha Mendis was part of Sri Lanka's 2014 T20 World Cup winning team (AP)Ajantha Mendis was part of Sri Lanka's 2014 T20 World Cup winning team (AP)

Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis harvested 35 wickets in just 21 innings spanning four different T20 World Cup editions from 2009 till 2014. During Sri Lanka’s victorious title-winning run in 2014 in Bangladesh, the cricketer picked up impervious figures of 3-12 during a group stage game against Netherlands.

Ajantha Mendis holds the best average (15.02) among all T20 World Cup bowlers with more than 25 wickets, and the second-best strike-rate (13.45) among all bowlers with more than 30 wickets to their names.


4. Saeed Ajmal (PAK) - 36 wickets

Saeed Ajmal during a training session (AP)Saeed Ajmal during a training session (AP)

Saeed Ajmal played a crucial role in Pakistan’s success at the 2009 T20 World Cup in England. The crafty off-spinner collected 12 wickets from just seven innings on seam-friendly English pitches, and conceded just 23 runs from four overs against a strong South African unit in the semifinal.

Ajmal snared a few more wickets in T20 World Cups until his final international appearance in 2015. The former Pakistani spinner eventually finished with 36 wickets from 23 T20 World Cup innings at an average of 16.86 and an economy of just 6.79.


3. Lasith Malinga (SL) - 38 wickets

Lasith Malinga led Sri Lanka to 2014 T20 World Cup win (x.com)Lasith Malinga led Sri Lanka to 2014 T20 World Cup win (x.com)

In just 31 innings across five different T20 World Cups between 2007 and 2014, legendary Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga snapped up 38 wickets. Apart from his countless bowling escapades, Malinga is also a T20 World Cup-winning skipper, lifting the coveted trophy for Sri Lanka in 2014 in Bangladesh.

The speedster also played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s runners-up campaign in 2009 and 2012 in England and Sri Lanka respectively. Malinga’s 38 T20 World Cup wickets came at an average of 20.07 and a strike-rate of 16.21.


2. Shahid Afridi (PAK) - 39 wickets

Shahid Afridi is the highest T20 World Cup wicket-taker among Pakistan bowlers (AP)Shahid Afridi is the highest T20 World Cup wicket-taker among Pakistan bowlers (AP)

Shahid Afridi, having claimed 12 wickets in the inaugural T20 World Cup to be adjudged as ‘Player of the Tournament’, picked up 11 more victims during Pakistan’s triumphant crusade in England in the 2009 T20 World Cup.

Overall, the legendary Pakistani all-rounder concluded his T20 World Cup journey with 39 wickets from 34 matches. Moreover, Afridi conceded his runs at just 6.71 an over and held an impressive bowling strike-rate of 20.76.


1. Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) - 47 wickets

Shakib Al Hasan is just three scalps away from 50 T20 World Cup wickets (AP)Shakib Al Hasan is just three scalps away from 50 T20 World Cup wickets (AP)

On top of the elite T20 World Cup wicket-taking pile is perennial Bangladesh legend Shakib Al Hasan. Through his shrewd left-arm spin, the dashing all-rounder has stacked up 47 wickets from just 35 innings at an impressive average of 18.63. Shakib has maintained an imposing economy rate of just 6.78 and has claimed three four-wicket hauls throughout his T20 World Cup journey.

One of only two cricketers to have participated in each edition of the T20 World Cup since its inaugural chapter back in 2007, Shakib Al Hasan is well on his course to become the first bowler in tournament’s history to clip 50 wickets.

Considering his reputation and sharp left-arm spin craft, the 37-year-old will be expected to achieve the landmark figure within the opening week of the 2024 T20 World Cup itself.