The T20 World Cup 2022 is witnessing a lot of unpopular teams playing exceptionally well. As much as the T20 is a tournament that depends on the batters, the bowlers have a significant role to play. In this article, let’s have a look at the highest wicket-takers of the T20 World Cup so far.
T20 World Cup: Highest wicket-takers in each edition
Umran Gul- 2007
Pakistani pacer Umran Gul scalped 13 wickets in the first edition of the T20 World Cup. His average was 11.92 with the ball with an economy rate of 5.60.
Umran Gul- 2009
Umran Gul has once again taken the highest number of wickets in 2009 in T20 World Cup (13). His best performance was against New Zealand where he scalped 5 wickets at the Oval and the kiwis were all out for 99. In 2009, he scalped just one wicket in finale but Pakistan clinched the T20 World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka at the Lord’s.
Dirk Nannes- 2010
Dirk Nannes was a crucial component of Australia’s bowling lineup. He had an economy rate of slightly over seven and took 14 wickets at a 13.07 average. When Australia defeated to England in the championship game, he had three-plus wicket totals against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India but was hitless in the final.
Ajantha Mendis- 2012
Ajantha Mendis took 15 wickets in six matches in the year 2012. In the finale against West indies, his bowling figure was 4/12. He took the wickets of hard-hitting batters like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, and Andre Russell. But his efforts couldn’t make India won the game.
Imran Tahir and Ahsan malik- 2014
Imran Tahir of South Africa and Ahsan Malik of the Netherlands both took 12 wickets to share a first place among bowlers at the 2014 T20 World Cup. In a standout bowling performance for the squad against South Africa, Malik claimed a five-wicket haul. He was essential in assisting the Netherlands advance past the first round as well. On the other side, Tahir won the Player of the Match in a close game by shooting 4/21 against the Netherlands.
Mohammad Nabi-2016
Nabi averaged 13.66 while taking 12 wickets. Before helping Afghanistan restrict England to 142/7 in the Super 10 phase, Nabi took 4/20 against Hong Kong in Nagpur. Nabi once again played a crucial role in Nagpur’s victory against the West Indies, taking 2/26 after receiving the new ball on a sluggish track. He chose to tip the game in Afghanistan’s favour by taking the crucial wicket of Dwayne Bravo, the leading scorer for the West Indies.
Wanindu Harsangra-2021
Wanindu Harsangra put on strong performances against Australia, South Africa, and England, with 2/22, 3/20, including a hat-trick, and 3/21 respectively. However, Sri Lanka lost all three of the games. His 16 total wickets in the competition are the most by any bowler in a single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition.
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