Most wickets in T20 World Cup history – Men’s Edition
Shahid Afridi holds the record for most wickets in T20 World Cup history, and the former title-winner’s record will only go down if something awe-inspired rips up from those who remain in contention. Shahid Afridi picked up 39 wickets during an illustrious run in the world championship of the shortest format and did so in 34 games at an economy of 6.71.
It seemed like the Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, who is just 1 wicket shy of Afridi’s record, will overtake him at some point, but his retirement closes the window on those aspirations. A title-winning captain himself, Malinga led the Sri Lankan unit as they rode past India in 2014 final to register their first ICC title since the 1996 World Cup triumph.
Malinga, however, had played three games less than the Pakistan skipper. Accompanying Malinga and Afridi among the top wicket-takers of the tournament are their countrymates, Ajanta Mendis and Saeed Ajmal. The two off-spinners, who once traumatized batters with their mystery element, are 3rd and 4th on the list of most wickets in T20 World Cups.
Ajmal picked up 36 wickets in 23 games, at an average of 16.86, whilst Mendis picked up 35 wickets in just 21 games, and holds the best bowling average among all bowlers who picked 30 or more wickets (15.02).
Most wickets in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
| S. No |
Player name (country) | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Average |
| 1 |
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) |
34 | 39 | 6.71 | 20.7 |
| 2 |
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) |
31 | 38 | 7.43 | 16.2 |
| 3 |
Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) |
23 |
36 | 6.79 | 14.8 |
| 4 |
Ajanta Mendis (Sri Lanka) |
21 |
35 | 6.70 | 13.4 |
| 5 |
Umar Gul (Pakistan) |
24 |
35 | 7.30 | 14.1 |
| 6 |
Dale Steyn (South Africa) |
23 |
30 | 6.96 | 16.6 |
| 7 |
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) |
25 |
30 | 6.64 | 17.6 |
| 8 |
Stuard Broad (England) |
26 |
30 | 7.72 | 17.3 |
| 9 |
Dwayne Bravo (West Indies) |
29 |
25 | 8.87 | 17.4 |
| 10 |
Samuel Badree (West Indies) |
15 |
24 | 5.52 | 14.7 |
Following them in the list of most wickets are two of the most prolific fast bowlers of the game, Pakistan’s Umar Gul, and South Africa’s Dale Steyn. Umar Gul, part of the 2009 winning team, picked up 35 wickets in 24 games and has the best bowling average among fast bowlers with over 20 wickets (17.25).
Shakib Al Hasan has a good chance of becoming the bowler with Most wickets in T20 World Cup history at the end of the 2021 tournament
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan can can claim the record for Most wickets in T20 World Cup
However, there’s only one bowler in the top 10 list who will take part in the 2021 edition. Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, who has 30 wickets to his credit in this elite competition, will be in action from 17th October against Scotland, where the Tigers will be attempting to enter the Super 12 stages.
If Bangladesh go past their group and enters Super 12, Shakib Al Hasan will have a minimum of 8 games to overtake Afridi’s 39-wicket tally. Besides the above-mentioned names, Stuart Broad is the only other player who has taken 30 or more wickets in the tournament.
Stuart Broad, who was a crucial part of England’s 2010 triumph, has featured in the 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 editions of the T20 World Cup. His 30 wickets came at an average of 22.36. West Indians Dwayne Bravo and Samuel Badree complete the top 10 list of most wickets, with 25 and 24 wickets.
Bravo and Badree featured in West Indies’ 2012 and 2016 victories, playing a crucial part in both finals. Badree’s sensational average of 13.83 is the best among the top 10 bowlers and also the best economy (5.52).