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Shakib Al Hasan (L) and Rashid Khan (R) with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Source: X)
The history of the T20 World Cup has mostly revolved around the excellent batting performances. It includes both individual batting heroics and the highest team totals in the tournament’s 19-year-long journey.
But there have also been some bowlers who established themselves as the poster boys of the tournament amidst the batters' dominance. The bowlers have showcased their brilliance across different editions since the tournament’s inception in 2007.
Therefore, here’s a look at the five all-time highest wicket takers in T20 World Cup history.
5 All-time highest wicket takers in T20 World Cup history
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 50 wickets
The veteran Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, is the most successful bowler in the entire history of the T20 World Cup. He played in all the editions from the inaugural in 2007 to the latest in 2024.
He scalped 50 wickets in 41 innings of the 43 matches he played in the tournament’s nine editions. It also included three four-wicket hauls to his name, with an economy rate of 6.86 and the best bowling figure of ‘four wickets for just nine runs in a match’.
At 38, Shakib leads the list of leading wicket-takers in the T20 World Cup history, but he won't be in action in 2026 edition due to Bangladesh’s unexpected exit from the tournament.
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 39 wickets
Former Pakistan skipper and World T20 champion all-rounder, Shahid Afridi, is still the second leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup history, even after a decade since his last appearance. Afridi played for Pakistan in six editions over nine years from 2007 to 2016.
He featured in 34 T20 World Cup games, taking 39 wickets in 34 innings, with an economy rate of 6.71, including two four-wicket hauls. It also includes his best bowling figures of ‘four wickets for just 11 runs in a match’.
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) - 38 wickets
The former Sri Lankan pace-bowling great and World T20 champion skipper, Lasith Malinga, is still the most successful bowler for his side in the T20 World Cup history. Besides that, he is the leading wicket-taker of all time for Sri Lanka in the tournament's history.
Malinga played 31 T20 World Cup games from 2007 to 2014, taking 38 wickets, including one five-wicket haul.
In the list of overall leading wicket-takers in the T20 World Cup history, he ranks third, following Shahid Afridi at second and Shakib Al Hasan at first.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 37 wickets
The Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga could be one of the nightmares for the batters in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, considering the spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka and India.
In his shorter but impressive World T20 career of three editions, Hasaranga has left an impressive mark with his outstanding bowling performances. He has claimed 37 wickets in 19 innings of the 19 games he has played.
The 28-year-old is just two wickets away from surpassing Lasith Malinga in the list of all-time highest wicket-takers in the tournament's history. He is currently placed in the fourth spot in this list.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - 37 wickets
The star Afghanistan spinner, Rashid Khan, has emerged as the most successful bowler in the shortest format of the game despite being part of a ‘still growing’ team. He is currently the leading wicket-taker of all time in the T20 internationals.
Additionally, Rashid ranks fifth among the all-time highest wicket-takers in T20 World Cup history. In 23 matches, he has taken 37 wickets with an economy rate of 6.00, including best figures of ‘three wickets for just eight runs’.
Notably, he is just four wickets away from surpassing the former Pakistan legend, Shahid Afridi and becoming the second leading wicket-taker of all time in the tournament's history. Rashid will have a chance to surpass former Pakistan legend, Shahid Afridi in his favourable conditions in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
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