In cricket’s shortest worldwide match, bowlers have excelled from the first editions to the most recent 2024 tournament. This in-depth analysis looks at who has taken the most wickets in the history of the T20 World Cup, which tournaments have produced the most wicket-takers, and how records have changed over time.
1. Overall Leading Wicket‑taker: Historical Record
Bangladesh’s famous all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan holds the record for most wickets in T20 World Cup history, having taken 50 in 41 games between 2007 and 2024. Lasith Malinga (38 wickets, 31 matches) and Shahid Afridi (39 wickets, 34 matches) follow him, rounding up the podium of all-time greatness.
Noteworthy entries include:
- Sri Lankan Wanindu Hasaranga: 37 wickets in 19 games.
- Rashid Khan of Afghanistan: 37 wickets in 23 games as well.
- Tim Southee, Adam Zampa, and Saeed Ajmal each took 36 wickets in different games.
Shakib is therefore the clear choice when discussing the T20 World Cup’s top wicket-taker.
2. Most Wickets in a Single Edition: Peak Performances
The following people share the T20 World Cup record for most wickets in a single tournament:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan)
- Arshdeep Singh (India)
During the 2024 tournament, both took an incredible 17 wickets.
Other outstanding one-of-a-kind performances include:
- With 16 wickets in 2021 and 2022, Wanindu Hasaranga
- In 2024, India’s Jasprit Bumrah claimed 15 wickets.
- In 2012, Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka took 15 wickets.
Even in a format with a lot of batsmen, bowlers can still dominate, as these notable numbers demonstrate.
3. Chronology of Single-Tournament Leaders
| Year | Player | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Umar Gul (Pakistan) | 13 |
| 2009 | Umar Gul | 13 |
| 2010 | Dirk Nannes (Australia) | 14 |
| 2012 | Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) | 15 |
| 2014 | Imran Tahir & Ahsan Malik | 12 each |
| 2016 | Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) | 12 |
| 2021 | Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) | 16 |
| 2022 | Wanindu Hasaranga | 15 |
| 2024 | Fazalhaq Farooqi & Arshdeep Singh | 17 each |
With the 2024 peak now securely at 17, this timeline shows how the threshold for most wickets in a single edition has steadily increased.
4. Modern Champions in 2024
The 2024 event showcased top-tier bowling talent:
- Afghanistan was headed by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who claimed 17 wickets, including an incredible 5/9 performance.
- India’s unexpected hero was Arshdeep Singh, who became the first bowler in the IPL style to take a wicket with the opening delivery of a T20 World Cup match and matched the 17-wicket record.
- With 15 wickets, Jasprit Bumrah solidified his status as one of the best in the tournament.
With the addition of South Africa’s Anrich Nortje (13 wickets), Alzarri Joseph (13), and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (11), 2024 turned out to be a contemporary showcase for T20 World Cup most skill with wickets
5. Key Insights & Context
- Consistency over time: Shakib is without a doubt the greatest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with 50 wickets in six editions, demonstrating consistent performance.
- Increasing standards: Single-edition wicket totals continue to set new milestones; while 10+ wickets used to be remarkable, today 17 is the new benchmark.
- Bowler evolution: Variability is essential for modern T20 success; leaders like Bumrah and Farooqi rely heavily on line and length, control in the final overs and variation.
6. Why These Records Matter
- Tactical evolution: Previously underappreciated by batters, bowlers are now essential to managing close matches.
- Bowling depth: All-rounders and pace/spin depth are becoming more and more important to teams. This trend is supported by individuals such as Mendis, Nabi, and Bumrah.
- Global spread: The ascent of Afghanistan (Farooqi, Rashid, and Nabi) indicates that cricket is becoming more complex.
7. Conclusion: A New Era of Bowlers
Bowlers continue to be essential in this fast-paced format, as evidenced by Shakib’s all-time triumph and Farooqi’s record-matching 17-wicket haul. Shakib may have taken the most wickets in the T20 World Cup, but each time, new players redefine brilliance.
Final Takeaways
- Shakib Al Hasan holds the record for most wickets in T20 World Cup history with 50.
- The two players with the most wickets in a single T20 World Cup, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Arshdeep Singh, each took 17 in 2024.
- The most wickets in the T20 World Cup is a dynamic statistic that reflects shifting tactics, conditions, and speeds.
The challenge is on: Can anyone reach the top 17 wickets as the next event draws near? Who is going to overthrow Shakib? Bowling dominance is still up for debate, so keep an eye on the pitch.
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