The T20 format is the shortest in international cricket. Although a 10-over format is introduced in franchise cricket, the international arena is yet to inaugurate a shorter version of the game. The T20 World Cups hold a significant part in the sport's history. Even after being the latest format of the World Cup to be introduced not long ago in 2007, T20 cricket has developed a lot of interest among fans around the world. The fast-paced format offers a lot of entertainment to cricket enthusiasts. The batters have always had an upper hand over the bowlers in the shortest format. A wicket-taking bowler is all a team needs and here are the top 10 wicket-takers in the T20 World Cups.
1. Shakib Al Hasan
By far the best all-rounder in white ball cricket, Shakib Al Hasan, is a left-handed middle-order batter and a left-arm orthodox bowler. Nobody can justify his skills as a bowling or a batting all-rounder, that’s how good he is both with the bat and ball in hand. The 36-year-old player is the current skipper for Bangladesh in across formats. He made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in 2006 and has been one of the crucial players in Bangladesh. His ability to stay strong in tough situations is something that stands out. The all-rounder has taken 47 wickets in the T20 World Cups which is the most by any bowler.
2. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi was a former bowling all-rounder for Pakistan. The player was one of the best leg-spinners in the history of the game. His variations were something batters would find difficult to pick. He was also a handy batter down the order and was capable of hitting big sixes with ease. The all-rounder made his T20I debut against England in 2006. Also, a former skipper of the nation, Afridi was a very tactical leader whose leadership was inspirational to many. The leg-spinner took 39 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.71in the five T20 World Cups he played from 2007 to 2016.
3. Lasith Malinga
The most dangerous bowler even in the white ball formats, Lasith Malinga, was a magician of pure class. The right-arm fast bowler with a side-arm action was just too good for the batters of the opposition. Let us just accept the fact that the cricketing world was not ready to witness such a precise bowler. His accurate yorkers were as dangerous as some lethal bouncers that he bowled. After his debut in the shortest format against England in 2006, Malinga became a crucial asset in the Sri Lankan side. He also led his nation in the white ball formats in some of the major tournaments. The bowler took 38 wickets in four T20 World Cups from 2007 to 2014.
4. Saeed Ajmal
When someone looks into the history books of cricket, one would surely approve Saeed Ajmal as one of the best off-spinners of the game. The former right-arm off-break bowler for Pakistan was the maestro of spin bowling. In a nation where genuine fast bowlers are available in plenty, Ajmal came into the scene as a unique and rare find. His deceiving wrong ones along with pin-point accuracy while bowling regular off-spin worked in his favor more often than not. The bowler made his T20I debut against Australia in 2009. Ajmal picked up 36 wickets in the T20 World Cups.
5. Ajantha Mendis
The right-arm off-break bowler was one of the most special spinners in world cricket. The former Sri Lankan was very hard to predict and bowled with accuracy like none other. He made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in 2008 and became an important player in the squad. The bowler used to deceive the batters with his unending different variations. His wicket-taking ability alongside bowling economical spells made him one of the best spinners in Sri Lanka. The bowler took 35 wickets in T20 World Cups.
6. Umar Gul
The first ever Pakistan bowler to take a fifer in a T20 World Cup, Umar Gul, used to bowl with sheer pace and bounce. The right-arm tall fast bowler was one of the best when the ball used to get old. His reverse-swinging yorkers were unplayable for the batters. The bowler took 35 wickets in the T20 World Cups with the best figures of 5/6 against New Zealand in 2009.
7. Ravichandran Ashwin
The off-spinners are generally not given as much credit as the wrist spinners or the left-arm spinners. In a country like India, where the budding spinners are available in plenty, Ashwin was one of the better talents. His mindfulness under crunch situations always keeps him ahead of the opponent. The off-spinner made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in 2010. Also, a decent batter down the order, the player provides depth to the team. He has taken 32 wickets in T20 World Cups so far.
8. Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga is a right-arm leg-break bowler for Sri Lanka across formats. Currently dealing with injury, the bowling all-rounder was left out of the World Cup squad. His googlies have proven to be effective for Sri Lanka and the player has performed consistently. In just two T20 World Cup editions, he has already taken 31 wickets. He is also a hard hitter of the ball down the order.
9. Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is arguably one of the best fast bowlers ever to grace the game of cricket. His accurate outswingers and sheer pace were enough to put doubt in the batter’s mind. His white-ball record was as good as his test record. The bowler played five T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2016 and ended up taking 30 wickets.
10. Stuart Broad
The right-arm fast-medium bowler had the worst start to his career in the shortest format when Yuvraj Singh smashed him for six sixes in an over in the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa. Broad came back like only he could. His red ball record of a mammoth 604 wickets is something many could only dream of. As far as T20 World Cups are concerned, the bowler took 30 wickets.
