Rashid Khan (Source: AFP)
In the fast-paced world of T20Is, the shortest format, bowlers operate under intense pressure with little room for error. Unlike the long sessions of Tests or the three phases of ODIs, bowlers have just 20 overs to make a meaningful impact.
Top T20I bowlers combine skill, strategy, and composure to outsmart batters in the powerplay or death overs.
Despite the format favouring batters, some bowlers, both pacers and spinners, have built distinguished careers as T20I specialists. That said, here’s a look at the top 10 bowlers with the most T20I wickets till January 23, 2026.
Top 10 bowlers with most T20I wickets till January 23, 2026
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan/ICC) - 187 T20I wickets (2015-Present)
The star Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has been one of the standout spinners in the T20 internationals since his debut in 2015. He has dominated spin bowling with outstanding performances despite playing for a lower-ranked, ‘still growing’ team like Afghanistan.
Rashid has played 111 T20Is and bowled in every match, taking 187 wickets. He maintains an economy rate of 6.02, with four four-wicket and two five-wicket hauls. He leads the list of top T20I wicket-takers.
Tim Southee (New Zealand) - 164 T20I wickets (2008-2024)
One of the all-time bowling greats for New Zealand, Tim Southee led his side’s pace attack for more than a decade across all formats. Apart from being a core of the Kiwi bowling attack in Tests and ODIs, Southee was also a backbone for them in the shortest format of the game.
The Northland-born pacer featured in 126 T20Is, while bowling in 123 innings. He scalped 164 wickets with an economy rate of 8, picking two four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. The former Blackcaps speedster is second in the list of the top 10 bowlers with the most T20I wickets.
Ish Sodhi (New Zealand) - 159 T20I wickets (2014-Present)
The veteran India-origin New Zealand spinner, Ish Sodhi (Inderbir Singh Sodhi), has been the leading spinner for more than a decade since his debut in 2014. He has bagged 159 wickets in 128 innings of the 134 T20Is he has played for New Zealand.
Sodhi has four four-wicket hauls to his credit. He’s third on the T20I wicket-takers list and second for New Zealand.
Sodhi is also included in New Zealand’s mix for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, where he will be a key asset on spin-friendly Indian pitches, especially in Chennai.
Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) - 158 T20I wickets (2015-Present)
Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has led their T20I pace attack since his debut, becoming the nation's all-time leading wicket-taker with 158 wickets in 125 innings of 126 games.
In these matches, the 30-year-old has conceded runs with an economy of 7.28, alongside bagging three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. He is fourth in the list of top 10 bowlers with the most T20I wickets.
Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 151 wickets (2019-Present)
The star Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has left everyone awestruck with his sensational bowling performances in T20Is for the last few years. On the back of his outstanding performances, Hasaranga has also become the leading wicket-taker of all time in T20Is for Sri Lanka in just a six-year T20I career.
He has claimed 151 wickets in 90 innings from 92 T20Is, maintaining an economy rate of 6.96. He has five four-wicket hauls and ranks fifth all-time in T20I wickets.
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) - 149 T20I wickets (2006-2024)
The veteran Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, proved his worth, both with the bat and ball. Apart from being one of the top all-rounders in the limited-over cricket, he had also been one of the top-performing bowlers for Bangladesh.
Shakib scalped 149 wickets in 126 innings of the 129 T20Is he played in his 18-year T20I career from 2006 to 2024. It also includes six four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls to his name. He ranks sixth in the list of top 10 bowlers with the most T20I wickets.
Adil Rashid (England) - 145 T20I wickets (2009-Present)
The veteran England spinner Adil Rashid has been the spine of England's bowling attack in T20Is since his debut in 2009. He has featured in 134 T20Is for the Three Lions. In these 134 games, he has scalped 145 wickets in 127 innings, with an economy rate of 7.4, alongside four four-wicket hauls.
He tops England’s T20I wicket-takers list and is seventh worldwide. Rashid is also in contention for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Mark Adair (Ireland) - 134 T20I wickets (2019-Present)
The Ireland pacer Mark Adair has left an impressive mark with his bowling performances in the short-spanned T20I career of six years since 2019. Adair is the leading wicket-taker in T20Is for Ireland, thanks to his brilliant bowling and his role as the Irish attack leader in crucial games.
He has 134 wickets in 93 T20I innings, with a 14.8 strike rate and four four-wicket hauls. The 29-year-old is eighth among T20I wicket-takers.
Adam Zampa (Australia) - 134 T20I wickets (2016-Present)
Adam Zampa has been crucial to Australia’s T20I success for the past decade. Since debuting, he has played 108 matches, becoming Australia’s top T20I wicket-taker.
The NSW-born has claimed 134 wickets in 105 T20I innings, with an economy rate of 7.37, picking two four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. He will also be a vital cog in the wheel for the Aussies in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 at the spin-friendly surfaces of India and Sri Lanka.
Haris Rauf (Pakistan) - 133 T20I wickets (2020-Present)
Haris Rauf has received criticism for being expensive, but his T20I contributions to Pakistan are significant. In his five-year T20I career, he has become the leading wicket-taker of all time in T20Is for Pakistan.
He has picked 133 wickets in 92 innings of the 94 T20Is he has played, including five four-wicket hauls. Rauf also ranks 10th in the list of top 10 bowlers with the most T20I wickets.
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