Top 5 bowlers with the best bowling figures in men’s T20 World Cup history ft. Sam Curran

The countdown has begun for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which starts in just a few days. This will be the 10th edition of the tournament and will be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. The competition will run from February 7 to March 8, with 55 matches scheduled across eight grounds. Five venues will be in India, while three will be in Sri Lanka.

India enter the tournament as the defending champions. They lifted the trophy in the last edition, played in the USA and the West Indies, by winning every match they played. The Indian team will now try to win the T20 World Cup for the third time, having earlier won the title in 2010.

Only two other teams have managed to win the tournament more than once. West Indies claimed the title in 2012 and 2016, while England emerged champions in 2010 and 2022.

Across the nine previous editions of the Men’s T20 World Cup, bowlers have produced several match-winning performances. With the new tournament approaching, we revisit the top five bowling figures ever recorded in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

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1. Ajantha Mendis (6/8) vs Zimbabwe – 2012

Former Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis has the best bowling figures in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. He took 6 wickets for 8 runs against Zimbabwe in Hambantota during the 2012 tournament.

Sri Lanka scored 182 runs after batting first. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 100 in 17.3 overs. Mendis completely troubled the batters with his spin and variations.

He dismissed Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya, and Kyle Jarvis to complete his six-wicket haul.

2. Rangana Herath (5/3) vs New Zealand – 2014

Rangana Herath produced a brilliant spell against New Zealand in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Chattogram. He picked up 5 wickets for just 3 runs in 3.3 overs.

Sri Lanka scored only 119 runs, but Herath’s bowling helped dismiss New Zealand for just 60 runs. His wickets included Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, and Trent Boult.

3. Umar Gul (5/6) vs New Zealand – 2009

Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul took 5 wickets for 6 runs against New Zealand at The Oval in the 2009 T20 World Cup.

New Zealand were bowled out for 99 runs. Gul used yorkers and slower balls to remove Scott Styris, Peter McGlashan, Nathan McCullum, James Franklin, and Kyle Mills. Pakistan chased the target easily.

4. Fazalhaq Farooqi (5/9) vs Uganda – 2024

Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi delivered a strong performance against Uganda in the 2024 T20 World Cup in Guyana. He took 5 wickets for 9 runs in four overs.

Afghanistan scored 183 runs and then bowled Uganda out for just 58 runs. Farooqi dismissed Ronak Patel, Roger Mukasa, Riazat Ali Shah, Brian Masaba, and Robinson Obuya.

5. Sam Curran (5/10) vs Afghanistan – 2022

England all-rounder Sam Curran took 5 wickets for 10 runs against Afghanistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Perth.

England bowled first and dismissed Afghanistan for 112 runs. Curran’s victims included Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Usman Ghani, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. England won the match by five wickets.