The ICC T20 World Cup is the most thrilling cricket tournament in the shortest format of the game. Since its first edition in 2007, it has provided fans with unforgettable moments. Big sixes, nail-biting finishes, and dramatic chases make headlines. Yet behind every famous victory stands the quiet brilliance of bowlers.
Batters light up the scoreboard, but bowlers write the real story of success. A wicket at the right time can silence a roaring crowd. It can change the direction of the match within one ball. This is why bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup are remembered as legends.
This article looks at the leading wicket-takers in history, explores their journeys, and reveals how bowling dominance shaped the tournament.
T20 cricket is a batsman’s paradise. Short boundaries and power plays encourage aggression. But wickets remain the best weapon to stop runs.
A bowler who dismisses a dangerous batter early saves 20–30 runs for the team. In pressure games, one spell of three overs can decide a semifinal or a final.
Captains often build strategies around their strike bowlers. Teams that have won the T20 World Cup usually have bowlers among the top wicket-takers.
Here are the leading wicket-takers in T20 World Cup history, updated till the 2024 edition.
Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average |
1 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 43 | 50 | 4/9 | 20.12 |
2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 34 | 39 | 4/11 | 23.25 |
3 | Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 31 | 38 | 5/31 | 20.07 |
4 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka | 19 | 37 | 3/8 | 11.72 |
5 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 23 | 37 | 4/9 | 14.89 |
6 | Adam Zampa | Australia | 21 | 36 | 5/19 | 13.69 |
7 | Saeed Ajmal | Pakistan | 23 | 36 | 4/19 | 16.86 |
8 | Tim Southee | New Zealand | 25 | 36 | 3/4 | 17.91 |
9 | Anrich Nortje | South Africa | 19 | 35 | 4/7 | 11.40 |
10 | Ajantha Mendis | Sri Lanka | 21 | 35 | 6/8 | 15.02 |
These names reflect a mix of spin magic and fast-bowling brilliance.
Shakib is the leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history. His left-arm spin has troubled the best batsmen. He has played every edition since 2007, giving Bangladesh both wickets and runs. What makes him unique is consistency. Even on flat tracks, Shakib finds a way to deliver breakthroughs.
Afridi’s fast leg-spin was Pakistan’s biggest weapon in the early tournaments. In the 2009 edition, he not only took wickets but also won matches with the bat. His energy lifted Pakistan to their first T20 World Cup title. Fans still remember his magical spells in crunch games.
Malinga’s unique action and lethal yorkers defined death bowling. He could bowl six yorkers in a row with accuracy. His 5/31 against England remains one of the greatest spells in World Cup history. Beyond wickets, Malinga’s leadership later guided Sri Lanka’s younger bowlers.
Hasaranga has already shaken records. With just 16 matches, he picked 36 wickets. His leg-spin is sharp, fast, and unpredictable. In 2021, he is in top three of the charts with 16 wickets in one edition. Experts believe he may soon break Shakib’s record if he continues at this pace.
Rashid’s rise brought Afghanistan global recognition. His accuracy and speed make him almost unplayable in the middle overs. He often breaks dangerous partnerships. Beyond stats, Rashid inspires a generation of Afghan cricketers dreaming of glory.
Some bowlers have dominated entire tournaments with record-breaking wicket hauls. Here are the top performers across editions:
These performances highlight how bowlers can single-handedly carry their teams in high-pressure tournaments.
India’s journey in the T20 World Cup is filled with bowling heroes.
Ravichandran Ashwin – India’s top wicket-taker with 32 wickets. His carrom ball and variations confused many batsmen.
Irfan Pathan – Man of the Match in the 2007 final, swinging the ball beautifully.
Jasprit Bumrah – India’s death bowling specialist. His yorkers saved India in tight games.
Arshdeep Singh – A young left-armer who impressed in 2022 and 2024 with pace and swing.
Indian fans often celebrate batting records, but these bowlers proved equally valuable.
Each edition of the T20 World Cup showed a new pattern:
2007 South Africa – Fast bowlers dominated with bounce and pace.
2009, England – Swing bowlers enjoyed cloudy conditions.
2012 Sri Lanka – Spinners ruled in slow, turning pitches.
2016 India – Again, spinners like Ashwin, Badree, and Santner dominated.
2021 UAE – Hasaranga’s leg-spin was unbeatable on dry tracks.
2022 Australia – Pacers enjoyed bounce, but spinners still held their ground.
This shows conditions shape wicket-taking strategies in T20 World Cups.
Studying records reveals some clear truths:
Spinners dominate overall – Mystery spin and variations are effective against aggressive batting.
Pacers shine in power play – Early breakthroughs change matches.
Death bowling specialists matter – Malinga, Bumrah, and Gul controlled the final overs.
Consistency is key – Bowlers like Shakib prove the value of playing across many editions.
The future belongs to young bowlers. Hasaranga, Rashid, and Arshdeep are already stars. With more editions ahead, they can break long-standing records.
Teams will also look for all-rounders who can bowl under pressure. Spin will remain important in Asia and the Middle East. Fast bowlers will continue to dominate in Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies.
We may soon see a new leader in the most wickets in T20 World Cup list.
Shakib Al Hasan leads with 50 wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Fazalhaq Farooqi holds the record for most wickets in one edition (17).
Spinners dominate in subcontinent conditions, while pacers excel in Australia and England.
Indian stars like Ashwin, Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh have left their mark.
Future stars like Rashid and Hasaranga may soon break all records.
While T20S are all about quick impact, the real test of endurance and skill comes in the 50-over format. Check out the bowlers with the most wickets in ODI World Cup and see who dominates across formats.
The T20 World Cup is often remembered for six-hitting batters. But history proves that bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup are the true match-winners. From Shakib’s steady brilliance to Malinga’s yorkers and Hasaranga’s magic, bowling has shaped the tournament’s destiny.
Every edition brings new stars and unforgettable spells. Records may be broken, but the thrill of watching a bowler uproot stumps in a packed stadium will always remain.
The big question is – who will write the next chapter and become the leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history?
I’m Avijit Brahma, a cricket enthusiast who enjoys dissecting games, evaluating player performances, and offering my opinions on the sport. I’m here to share my thoughts, ideas, and everything about cricket, whether it’s a thrilling finish or a knock that breaks records. Let’s have a proper conversation about cricket!