Top 5 bowlers with most wickets within the T20 World Cup ft. Wanindu Hasaranga

SportsFeb 4, 2026

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Minute Read

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. This year’s tournament will be the 10th edition of the prestigious event. A total of 55 games will be played across eight venues in the competition – five in India and three in Sri Lanka.

Co-hosts India are also the defending champions in the T20 World Cup. They won the 2024 edition held in the United States and the West Indies by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados. Team India had also won the inaugural edition held in South Africa in 2007. West Indies (2012 & 2016) and England (2010 & 2022) are the only other nations with two title wins.

There have been some impressive performances from bowlers across nations in the Men’s T20 World Cup. In this feature, we take a look at the top wicket-takers in the ICC event.

#5 Rashid Khan (37 wickets)

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan is fifth on the list of bowlers with most wickets in the T20 World Cup. In 23 matches, the leg-spinner has claimed 37 wickets at an average of 14.89 and an economy rate of 6.30, with three four-wicket hauls.

Rashid’s best figures of 4-9 were registered against Scotland in Sharjah in 2021. He also claimed 4-17 against New Zealand in Guyana in 2024 as Afghanistan registered a thumping 84-run win. During the same edition, Rashid starred with figures of 4-23 against Bangladesh in Kingstown as Afghanistan registered victory by eight runs [DLS method] in the Super 8 round.

#4 Wanindu Hasaranga (37 wickets)

Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has also claimed 37 wickets in the T20 World Cup. However, he is above Rashid on the list since he has played fewer matches. In 19 matches, Hasaranga has claimed 37 wickets at an average of 11.72 and an economy rate of 6.

The Sri Lankan spinner’s best of 3-8 came against UAE in Geelong in 2022. He also claimed 3-28 against Netherlands at the same venue during the same edition. Further, Hasaranga registered figures of 3-13 against Afghanistan in Brisbane (2022). The 28-year-old picked up 16 scalps in eight matches in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE and 15 wickets in eight games in 2022 in Australia.

#3 Lasith Malinga (38 wickets)

Former fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who led Sri Lanka to victory in the 2014 T20 World Cup held in Bangladesh, is third on the list of leading wicket-takers in the ICC event. In 31 matches, he claimed 38 wickets at an average of 20.07 and an economy rate of 7.43.

Malinga’s best figures of 5-31 were registered against England in Pallekele in 2012. He was the Player of the Match as Sri Lanka beat England by 19 runs. Malinga also claimed 3-17 against Pakistan at Lord’s in 2009 and 3-28 against West Indies in Barbados in 2010. The former Sri Lankan pacer claimed 12 wickets in seven matches in the 2012 edition, averaging 15.08 at an economy rate of 7.14.

#2 Shahid Afridi (39 wickets)

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi occupies the second spot on the list of bowlers with most wickets in the T20 World Cup. In 34 matches, he claimed 39 wickets at an average of 23.25 and an economy rate of 6.71, with two four-fers.

Player	Innings	Wickets	Average	Economy	BBI	4w	5w
Shakib Al Hasan	41	50	20.12	6.86	4-9	3	0
Shahid Afridi	34	39	23.25	6.71	4-11	2	0
Lasith Malinga	31	38	20.07	7.43	5-31	0	1
Wanindu Hasaranga	19	37	11.72	6	3-8	0	0
Rashid Khan	23	37	14.89	6.30	4-9	3	0

(Top 5 bowlers with most wickets in the T20 World Cup)

Afridi’s best of 4-11 came against Netherlands at Lord’s in 2009. The former leg-spinner also claimed 4-19 against Scotland in Durban in 2007. Afridi picked up 12 wickets in seven matches in the 2007 edition in South Africa. In the 2009 edition in England, which Pakistan won, he claimed 11 scalps in seven games.

#1 Shakib Al Hasan (50 wickets)

Veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan tops the list of bowlers with most wickets in the T20 World Cup. The left-arm spinner has claimed 50 wickets in 43 matches at an average of 20.12 and an economy rate of 6.86, with three four-fers.

Shakib’s best of 4-9 came against Papua New Guinea in Al Amerat in 2021. He also scored 46 off 37 in the same match. The 38-year-old also claimed 4-15 against Oman in Dharamsala (2016) and 4-34 against West Indies in Johannesburg (2007). Shakib picked up 11 wickets in six matches in 2021 edition and 10 wickets in seven matches (six innings) in 2016.