The ICC Men's T20 World Cup made its debut in 2007, and since then, the tournament has witnessed eight editions. The 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on 7 February, marks the tenth edition of the global event. The shortest format of the game has transformed bowling, pushing bowlers to innovate and introduce a wide range of deceptive variations. In this article, we turn our focus to the bowling greats by highlighting the top five players with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history, whose performances have shaped the tournament over the years.

1. Shakib Al Hasan: 50 Wickets in 43 Matches

Shakib Al Hasan sits at the summit of the all-time wicket-takers list in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. The Bangladesh great has claimed 50 wickets in 43 matches, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.86, which highlights his control and consistency in the shortest format. His match-winning effort played a decisive role in Bangladesh’s victorious runs and further cemented Shakib’s legacy as one of the tournament’s most impactful bowlers. Shakib Al Hasan indeed stands out as one of the most noteworthy all-rounders of the current cricketing era.

2. Shahid Afridi: 39 Wickets in 34 Matches

Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistani leg-spinner, was a consistent wicket-taking force in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. Across 34 matches, he picked up 39 wickets, while maintaining a tidy economy rate of 6.71 in the high-pressure format. Afridi’s effectiveness is further reflected in his numbers, with a bowling average of 23.25 and a strike rate of 20.76. Representing Pakistan in six T20 World Cups between 2007 and 2016, he remained a key figure in their bowling attack throughout his appearances on the global stage.

3. Lasith Malinga: 38 Wickets in 31 Matches

Occupying the third position is Sri Lankan icon Lasith Malinga, who is celebrated as one of the finest limited-overs bowlers the game has produced. Across 31 matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, he scalped 38 wickets, operating at an economy rate of 7.43. He also led Sri Lanka to T20 World Cup glory in 2014 as captain. His most memorable spell in the tournament came during the 2012 edition against England, where he registered superb figures of 5 for 31, one of the standout bowling performances in T20 World Cup history.

4. Wanindu Hasaranga: 37 Wickets in 19 Matches

Wanindu Hasaranga has been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s resurgence, helping the side re-establish itself as a formidable force, particularly in major tournaments. The leg-spinner has enjoyed a remarkable run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, claiming 37 wickets in just 19 matches, a testament to his consistency and match-winning ability. Known for his control and variation, Hasaranga’s best performance in an international tournament has been impeccable and noteworthy.

5. Rashid Khan: 37 Wickets in 23 Matches

Afghanistan’s rapid rise on the international stage has been powered in large part by the brilliance of Rashid Khan. The world-class leg-spinner has made a telling impact wherever he has played, emerging as a constant threat with the ball in the shortest format. In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Rashid has claimed 37 wickets across 23 matches, underlining his consistency and effectiveness against top opposition.