In T20 World Cup cricket, the proverb “Batters win you games, and bowlers win you tournaments” is especially relevant. Thanks to the shortest format, cricket is evolving quickly and is becoming more fair to bowlers. Most of the time, the regulations are changed to benefit the batters, but the bowlers are still crucial and make all the difference.
In Twenty20 cricket, bowling demands a blend of technique, variance, and flexibility. Being able to take wickets when it matters most can turn a match around and give the bowling team the upper hand. The bowlers that have consistently performed that in every T20 World Cup edition are listed below:
T20 World Cup 2007:
In the 2007 T20 World Cup, Umar Gul of Pakistan took the most wickets overall. With an average of 11.92, the pacer claimed 13 wickets in seven matches, and Pakistan advanced to the championship finals as a result of his outstanding efforts. India accomplished a remarkable feat at the end to win their first and only T20 world title, but they were also very close to winning it.
T20 World Cup 2009:
In 2009, Umar Gul was the top wicket-taker once more at the end. After taking 13 wickets in seven matches, he did it again, and Pakistan won the 2009 T20 World Cup as a result of his exploits. On the final night, they emerged victorious over Sri Lanka, with Gul taking Chamara Silva’s wicket. His remarkable consistency throughout the season was a key factor in Pakistan’s victory.
T20 World Cup 2010:
Dirk Nannes of Australia was the top wicket-taker at the end of the 2010 season. As Australia advanced to the finals, the brilliant bowler claimed 14 wickets at an average of 13.07 in seven games. They did not win against England, but Nannes’s performance was so good that it helped him secure contracts with multiple franchises in the future.
Also read: The T20 WC top scores from 2007 to 2024
T20 World Cup 2012:
Ajantha Mendis was nearly unplayable in the 2012 T20 World Cup at home. To put it mildly, it is amazing that the Sri Lankan spinner took 15 wickets at an average of 9.80 in just six outings. His impactful exploits helped Sri Lanka reach the championship finals, but they were unable to defeat a formidable West Indies team.
T20 World Cup 2014:
Ahsan Malik and Imran Tahir jointly took home the title of leading wicket-takers in the competition. While Malik of the Netherands need seven wickets to obtain the same amount of wickets, Tahir claimed 12 in just five wickets. That edition saw South Africa go to the semifinals but lose to India, and the Netherlands fail to advance past the group round.
T20 World Cup 2016:
The 2016 T20 World Cup’s top wicket-taker was Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan he has taken 12 wickets. He performed admirably in the qualifier, which enabled Afghanistan to advance to the competition’s main round. Afghanistan was eliminated from the Super 10 after coming bottom in their group, and he did not make an impression.
T20 World Cup 2021:
In the 2021 edition, Wanindu Hasaranga was the top wicket-taker at the end. The Sri Lankan international took 16 wickets in eight matches, demonstrating his exceptional performance in the spin-friendly United Arab Emirates (UAE). Despite his inability to lead Sri Lanka to the semifinals, he was quite impressive.
T20 World Cup 2022:
In two different T20 World Cup editions, Wanindu Hasaranga became the second player to finish as the top wicket-taker. Despite the current captain of Sri Lanka taking 15 wickets in eight matches in Australia, the Lankan Lions were once again unable to advance to the semifinals.
T20 World Cup 2024:
Fazalhaq Farooqi of Afghanistan currently has 17 wickets, making him the tournament’s top wicket-taker. Nevertheless, Arshdeep Singh of India is lagging behind him and has the potential to win the championship if he maintains his current pace.
![[WATCH]: Faf du Plessis pulls off gravity-defying one-handed screamer in MLC 2025, clip takes internet by storm](https://onecricket.pro/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1770821-rcb-2-120x86.jpg "[WATCH]: Faf du Plessis pulls off gravity-defying one-handed screamer in MLC 2025, clip takes internet by storm 12")
India
