In this article, we will discuss the bowlers who have picked the most wickets in the T20 World Cup and will discuss the highest wicket-takers in each edition of the T20 World Cup from 2007 to 2021.
Top 10 Bowlers with the most wickets in the T20 World Cup
Below is a table that has ranked the top 10 bowlers who are the highest wicket-takers in the T20 World Cup. The list includes both spinners and fast bowlers and both have been equally successful in the World Cup.
| Ranking | Player Name | Matches Played | Wickets | Best Figures | five wicket haul | Strike Rate |
| 10. | Ravi Ashwin | 18 | 26 | 4/11 | 0 | 15.2 |
| 9. | Dwayne Bravo | 34 | 27 | 4/38 | 0 | 19.7 |
| 8. | Stuart Broad | 26 | 30 | 3/17 | 0 | 17.3 |
| 7. | Dale Steyn | 23 | 30 | 4/17 | 0 | 16.6 |
| 6. | Umar Gul | 24 | 35 | 5/6 | 1 | 14.1 |
| 5. | Ajantha Mendis | 21 | 35 | 6/8 | 1 | 13.4 |
| 4. | Saeed Ajmal | 23 | 36 | 4/19 | 0 | 14.8 |
| 3. | Lasith Malinga | 31 | 38 | 5/31 | 1 | 16.2 |
| 2. | Shahid Afridi | 34 | 39 | 4/11 | 0 | 20.7 |
| 1. | Shakib Al Hasan | 31 | 41 | 4/9 | 0 | 16.1 |
10. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravi Ashwin was a regular member of the Indian side in all three formats in the early 2010s and was very consistent with his performances. He has picked up 26 wickets in his 18 games in the T20 World Cup and is the only Indian to feature on the list.
9. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo was undoubtedly one of the best bowlers in the shortest format and was known for his brilliant slower balls and yorkers. Bravo has picked up 27 wickets from his 34 games in the T20 World Cup and stands 9th on the list of bowlers with the most wickets in the T20 World Cup.
8. Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad is more known for his red-ball bowling but was a very successful bowler in the T20s as well and performed very well in the early editions of the T20 World Cup. Broad has picked up 30 wickets in his 26 games and stands 8th on our list of highest wicket-takers.
7. Dale Steyn
The South African great stands 7th on the list. Steyn has now retired from all forms of cricket but was one of the most dangerous bowlers at his peak. He has picked 30 wickets in his 23 games and has the best figures of 4/17 in the T20 World Cup.
6. Umar Gul
Umar Gul was one of the most consistent bowlers for Pakistan in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Gul has picked up 35 wickets in the World Cup in just 24 games which also includes a five-wicket haul and his best figures were 5/6.
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5. Ajantha Mendis
Ajantha Mendis was a mystery for all the batters in the World Cup and were just not able to read him at all. The Sri Lankan spinner has picked up 35 wickets in just 21 outings and has the best figures of 6/8 in the T20 World Cup.
4. Saeed Ajmal
Saeed Ajmal from Pakistan stands 4th on our list of bowlers with the most wickets in the T20 World Cup. He is the second Pakistani bowler to feature on the list after Umar Gul. The right-arm off-spinner has picked up 36 wickets in his 23 games and has the best figures of 4/19 in the World Cup.
3. Lasith Malinga
The Sri Lankan legend stands 3rd on our list. Malinga was known for his deadly yorkers and was a nightmare for the batters at his peak. He has picked up 38 wickets in his 31 games and his best figures are 5/31 in the T20 World Cup.
Also Read : [All time] Top 10 fastest bowlers in cricket history
2. Shahid Afridi
The former Pakistani Captain Shahid Afridi stands second on the list of highest wicket-takers. Popularly known as Lala, Afridi has picked up 39 wickets in his 34 games with the best figures of 4/11 in the T20 World Cup.
1. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan stands 1st on our list of bowlers with the most wickets in the T20 World Cup. The Bangladeshi spinner might not be as dangerous as the other bowlers on the list but has been very consistent in the middle overs for his team. Shakib has picked up 41 wickets in his 31 games with the best figures of 4/9.
Highest Wicket takers in the World Cup – Year Wise from 2007 to 2021
| Year | Player Name | Wickets |
| 2007 | Umar Gul | 13 |
| 2009 | Umar Gul | 13 |
| 2010 | Dirk Nannes | 14 |
| 2012 | Ajantha Mendis | 15 |
| 2014 | Imran Tahir | 12 |
| 2016 | Mohammad Nabi | 12 |
| 2021 | Wanindu Hasaranga | 16 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Indian bowler has picked the most wickets in T20 World Cup?
Ravi Ashwin is the highest wicket-taker for India in the T20 World Cup and has picked up 26 wickets in his 18 games so far.
Who has picked the most wickets in T20 World Cup history?
The Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has picked up the most wickets in the T20 World Cup. He has picked up 41 wickets in his 31 games.
Also Read : ICC T20 World Cup Winners List from 2007 to 2021 (All Time)