The 9th edition of the T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA from June 1 to 29, 2024. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup, renowned for its fast-paced and thrilling format, represents the pinnacle of cricketing excitement.
No player in T20 World Cup history has taken more wickets than Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan. Over 36 matches, Shakib has taken 47 wickets at an impressive average of 18.63 and a commendable economy rate of 6.78. His achievements include three four-wicket hauls, with his best figures being 4 for 9 against PNG in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Highest Wicket Takers in T20 World Cup History
Pakistan’s Umar Gul was the top wicket-taker in the first two T20 World Cups in 2007 and 2009. Pakistan and Sri Lanka bowlers dominate the top 10 list of most wickets in T20 World Cups. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga is the highest wicket-taker of the last two T20 World Cups - 2021 and 2022. Here is the list:
| Rank | Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Balls | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4 | 5 |
| 1 | Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) | 2007-2022 | 36 | 35 | 775 | 129.1 | 0 | 876 | 47 | 4/9 | 18.63 | 6.78 | 16.48 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 2007-2016 | 34 | 34 | 810 | 135 | 1 | 907 | 39 | 4/11 | 23.25 | 6.71 | 20.76 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | SL Malinga (SL) | 2007-2014 | 31 | 31 | 616 | 102.4 | 0 | 763 | 38 | 5/31 | 20.07 | 7.43 | 16.21 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Saeed Ajmal (PAK) | 2009-2014 | 23 | 23 | 536 | 89.2 | 1 | 607 | 36 | 4/19 | 16.86 | 6.79 | 14.88 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Ajantha Mendis (SL) | 2009-2014 | 21 | 21 | 471 | 78.3 | 3 | 526 | 35 | 6/8 | 15.02 | 6.7 | 13.45 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Umar Gul (PAK) | 2007-2014 | 24 | 24 | 496 | 82.4 | 0 | 604 | 35 | 5/6 | 17.25 | 7.3 | 14.17 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | R Ashwin (IND) | 2012-2022 | 24 | 24 | 510 | 85 | 0 | 552 | 32 | 4/11 | 17.25 | 6.49 | 15.93 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | PW Hasaranga (SL) | 2021-2022 | 16 | 16 | 366 | 61 | 1 | 355 | 31 | 3/8 | 11.45 | 5.81 | 11.8 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | DW Steyn (SA) | 2009-2016 | 23 | 23 | 499 | 83.1 | 1 | 579 | 30 | 4/17 | 19.3 | 6.96 | 16.63 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | SCJ Broad (ENG) | 2007-2014 | 26 | 25 | 521 | 86.5 | 2 | 671 | 30 | 3/17 | 22.36 | 7.72 | 17.36 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | TG Southee (NZ) | 2010-2022 | 22 | 22 | 481 | 80.1 | 2 | 609 | 29 | 3/6 | 21 | 7.59 | 16.58 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | MA Starc (AUS) | 2012-2022 | 20 | 20 | 474 | 79 | 1 | 660 | 27 | 3/20 | 24.44 | 8.35 | 17.55 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | DJ Bravo (WI) | 2007-2021 | 34 | 27 | 532 | 88.4 | 0 | 782 | 27 | 4/38 | 28.96 | 8.81 | 19.7 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | TA Boult (NZ) | 2014-2022 | 14 | 14 | 334 | 55.4 | 0 | 366 | 25 | 4/13 | 14.64 | 6.57 | 13.36 | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | IS Sodhi (NZ) | 2016-2022 | 17 | 17 | 378 | 63 | 0 | 444 | 25 | 3/18 | 17.76 | 7.04 | 15.12 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | S Badree (WI) | 2012-2016 | 15 | 15 | 354 | 59 | 1 | 326 | 24 | 4/15 | 13.58 | 5.52 | 14.75 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | M Morkel (SA) | 2007-2014 | 17 | 17 | 376 | 62.4 | 0 | 452 | 24 | 4/17 | 18.83 | 7.21 | 15.66 | 2 | 0 |
| 18 | A Zampa (AUS) | 2016-2022 | 14 | 14 | 300 | 50 | 0 | 306 | 23 | 5/19 | 13.3 | 6.12 | 13.04 | 0 | 1 |
| 19 | Rashid Khan (AFG) | 2016-2022 | 15 | 15 | 350 | 58.2 | 0 | 372 | 23 | 4/9 | 16.17 | 6.37 | 15.21 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | NL McCullum (NZ) | 2007-2016 | 22 | 20 | 403 | 67.1 | 0 | 399 | 23 | 3/15 | 17.34 | 5.94 | 17.52 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | GP Swann (ENG) | 2009-2012 | 16 | 15 | 330 | 55 | 2 | 358 | 22 | 3/24 | 16.27 | 6.5 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | SR Watson (AUS) | 2007-2016 | 24 | 23 | 452 | 75.2 | 1 | 608 | 22 | 3/26 | 27.63 | 8.07 | 20.54 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | MJ Santner (NZ) | 2016-2022 | 17 | 17 | 361 | 60.1 | 0 | 392 | 21 | 4/11 | 18.66 | 6.51 | 17.19 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | CJ Jordan (ENG) | 2014-2022 | 18 | 18 | 362 | 60.2 | 0 | 464 | 21 | 4/28 | 22.09 | 7.69 | 17.23 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | RA Jadeja (IND) | 2009-2021 | 22 | 22 | 444 | 74 | 1 | 529 | 21 | 3/15 | 25.19 | 7.14 | 21.14 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | AU Rashid (ENG) | 2009-2022 | 22 | 22 | 470 | 78.2 | 1 | 548 | 21 | 4/2 | 26.09 | 6.99 | 22.38 | 1 | 0 |
Top Wicket-Takers in T20 World Cup
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 47 wickets
Bangladesh's star all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, tops the chart for the most wickets in T20 World Cup history. Renowned for his precise spin bowling and varied techniques, Shakib has claimed 47 wickets in 36 T20 World Cup matches. His exceptional ability to control the run rate and secure crucial wickets consistently makes him a match-winner for the Bangla Tigers.
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 39 wickets
Pakistan's Shahid "Boom Boom" Afridi ranks second among the top wicket-takers in T20 World Cup history. Afridi has claimed 39 wickets across 34 T20 World Cup games. Renowned for his unconventional leg-spin and spirited demeanor on the field, he was an essential asset for Pakistan throughout the tournament. His final appearance in the T20 World Cup occurred in 2016.
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Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) - 38 wickets
Sri Lanka's Lasith "Slinger" Malinga stands as a genuine icon in T20 cricket. Celebrated for his distinctive slingy action, cunning slower balls, and deadly yorkers, Malinga has secured 38 wickets in 31 T20 World Cup matches. His exceptional skill in the death overs was crucial to Sri Lanka's triumph in the 2014 T20 World Cup.
Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) - 36 wickets
Pakistan's off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal, garnered acclaim for his doosra deliveries and remarkable control. He captured 36 wickets in 23 T20 World Cup matches before retiring in 2014. His skill in deceiving batters with his variations consistently made him a prolific wicket-taker for the Men in Green.
Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) - 35 wickets
Ajantha Mendis, Sri Lanka's mystery spinner, ranks fifth among all T20 World Cup wicket-takers. Renowned for his unorthodox bowling style and diverse variations, Mendis claimed 35 wickets in just 21 T20 World Cup matches. Participating in only three T20 World Cups, he was part of the team that secured the title in 2014.
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