In the world of T20 cricket, bowlers play an extraordinary role, often changing the course of a match with just one over. The T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers list highlights the bowlers who left an unforgettable mark on every edition of the tournament from 2007 to 2024. These bowlers have not just taken wickets—they’ve helped their teams win matches and sometimes even the trophy itself.
Here Are the List of T20 World Cup Leading Wicket-Takers (2007 to 2024)
5. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 2012
In the 2012 T20 World Cup, Ajantha Mendis proved almost unplayable on the turning Sri Lankan pitches. His incredible mystery spin was a nightmare for batters. Playing only six matches, he grabbed 15 wickets at a jaw-dropping average of 9.80—a dream figure for any spinner. His best performance came with 6 wickets for just 8 runs, which remains one of the best spells in the tournament’s history.
Thanks to Mendis’ phenomenal bowling, Sri Lanka cruised into the finals. Although they lost to West Indies in the final, Mendis emerged as a star and became one of the T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers. His control, variations, and ability to deceive even the best batters with the carrom ball were admired across the cricketing world.
Stats Table – Ajantha Mendis (2012)
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 15 | 9.80 | 6/8 | 6.11 |
4. Umar Gul (Pakistan) – 2009
Umar Gul once again stole the show during the 2009 T20 World Cup, taking 13 wickets in just 7 matches at an average of 12.15. His spell of 5 for 6 against New Zealand is still one of the most memorable performances in T20 history. He was instrumental in helping Pakistan lift the 2009 title.
Umar Gul’s ability to deliver perfect yorkers and slower balls at the death overs made him a specialist in the format. He maintained pressure on batters during the crucial stages and was hailed as the go-to bowler for Pakistan. As one of the T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers, his impact on the 2009 edition was unmatched.
Stats Table – Umar Gul (2009)
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 13 | 12.15 | 5/6 | 6.44 |
3. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – 2022
Wanindu Hasaranga etched his name in the record books by becoming the highest wicket-taker in back-to-back T20 World Cups. In 2022, he picked up 15 wickets in 8 games in Australian conditions—very different from the UAE pitches he had previously dominated. Despite Sri Lanka failing to reach the semifinals, Hasaranga’s performances remained consistent and classy.
As a leg-spinner, he showcased tremendous control, smart variations, and incredible mental toughness. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs helped stall opposition run rates. That’s why he’s a constant feature in the T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers list and a fan favorite worldwide.
Stats Table – Wanindu Hasaranga (2022)
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 15 | 13.26 | 3/13 | 6.41 |
2. Dirk Nannes (Australia) – 2010
Dirk Nannes was a lightning bolt in Australia’s pace attack during the 2010 T20 World Cup. With raw pace and bounce, he captured 14 wickets in 7 matches. His best figures of 4/18 left a strong impression. Even though Australia lost the final to England, Nannes became a star among fast bowlers and earned several T20 franchise contracts post the tournament.
What made Nannes deadly was his swing at pace and back-of-the-length deliveries that surprised batters. His contribution was critical in taking Australia to the final and establishing his legacy as one of the top T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers.
Stats Table – Dirk Nannes (2010)
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 14 | 13.07 | 4/18 | 7.03 |
1. Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) – 2024
Fazalhaq Farooqi tops the T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers list as of the 2024 edition. With an astonishing 17 wickets in just 6 matches, Farooqi delivered multiple match-winning performances. His average of 9.23 and economy rate of 5.60 are phenomenal in a format dominated by batters.
Farooqi’s ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with sharp pace and clever use of the seam, made him nearly unplayable in the powerplay and death overs. While Afghanistan didn’t make it to the final, his spell of 5/9 was one of the best in T20 World Cup history. This performance makes him the undisputed number one on the T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers chart.
Stats Table – Fazalhaq Farooqi (2024)
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 17 | 9.23 | 5/9 | 5.60 |
Conclusion (100 words)
The T20 World Cup has been home to many exciting bowling performances, but only a few bowlers have stood out across different editions. From Umar Gul’s dominance in the early years to Hasaranga’s spin magic and Farooqi’s recent brilliance, these bowlers have left an indelible mark on the game. The T20 World Cup leading wicket-takers list not only reflects individual excellence but also how crucial bowlers are in changing the fate of matches and tournaments. As the T20 format evolves, one can only hope to see more such legends emerge in the years to come.
Read More: Top 5 Players with Most Ducks in IPL from 2008 to 2025
