Leading Wicket Takers in T20 International Cricket
T-20 format is usually said to be the batsmen’s format because the conditions usually favors batsmen more than the bowlers. However, there have been some bowlers, who with their skill and determination have actually revolutionized the format with wickets on a regular basis. They have been able to prove many times that T-20s can be won with the ball as well. The list of leading wicket takers in T-20 International cricket is highlighted by the green flag bearers who have lifted their country’s name high in the sky. The leading wicket takers in T-20 internationals is the Pakistani all-rounder and one of the most loved cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi. Shahid Afridi also holds another T-20 record; he is the player, who had played most T-20 internationals. Moreover, the spin bowling is more effective in this quick format as compared with the fast bowling as spin bowlers dominate the list of leading wicket takers in T20 international cricket.
Leading Wicket Takers in T20 International Cricket
Player | Nation | Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | Average | Economy |
Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 98 | 96 | 97 | 4/11 | 24.35 | 6.61 |
Umar Gul | Pakistan | 60 | 60 | 85 | 5/6 | 16.97 | 7.19 |
Saeed Ajmal | Pakistan | 64 | 63 | 85 | 4/19 | 17.83 | 6.36 |
SL Malinga | Sri Lanka | 62 | 62 | 78 | 5/31 | 20.28 | 7.26 |
BAW Mendis | Sri Lanka | 39 | 39 | 66 | 6/8 | 14.42 | 6.45 |
Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 54 | 53 | 65 | 4/15 | 20.33 | 6.75 |
SCJ Broad | England | 56 | 55 | 65 | 4/24 | 22.93 | 7.62 |
DW Steyn | South Africa | 42 | 42 | 58 | 4/9 | 17.39 | 6.71 |
NL McCullum | New Zealand | 63 | 59 | 58 | 4/16 | 22.03 | 6.82 |
KMDN Kulasekara | Sri Lanka | 50 | 50 | 56 | 4/32 | 22.85 | 7.26 |
R Ashwin | India | 45 | 45 | 52 | 4/8 | 22.19 | 6.91 |
Sohail Tanvir | Pakistan | 53 | 53 | 52 | 3/12 | 25.80 | 7.16 |
DJ Bravo | West Indies | 65 | 55 | 52 | 4/28 | 27.67 | 8.48 |
GP Swann | England | 39 | 38 | 51 | 3/13 | 16.84 | 6.36 |
GH Dockrell | Ireland | 39 | 35 | 48 | 4/20 | 15.20 | 6.25 |
SR Watson | Australia | 58 | 49 | 48 | 4/15 | 24.72 | 7.65 |
Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 45 | 45 | 47 | 4/17 | 23.95 | 6.90 |
KJ O’Brien | Ireland | 52 | 39 | 46 | 3/8 | 17.15 | 6.65 |
Mohammad Hafeez | Pakistan | 77 | 57 | 46 | 4/10 | 24.34 | 6.69 |
TG Southee | New Zealand | 38 | 37 | 46 | 5/18 | 25.69 | 8.62 |
M Morkel | South Africa | 39 | 39 | 45 | 4/17 | 22.71 | 7.37 |