Bangladesh cricket team spinner Shakib Al Hasan entered the record books when he dismissed Rohit Sharma in the Super 8, Group 1 clash versus India at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in North Sound, Antigua. Shakib, who finished with 1/37 from three overs, became the first bowler to claim 50 wickets in the global T20 tournament. Notably, no other bowler in T20 World Cup history has more than 40 wickets.
Despite Shakib making history, it wasn’t enough for Bangladesh as India claimed a massive 50-run victory. India scored 196/5 before restricting Bangladesh to 146/8. It was India’s highest T20I score against Bangladesh. However, Shakib will be elated with his record, leaving a lasting impression in the tournament’s history.
Spin has played a major role in the T20 World Cup. Several spinners have ruled the roost across editions. The likes of Adam Zampa and Rashid Khan are making their presence felt with each passing game.
Here are the spin bowlers with the most wickets in T20 World Cup history.
Shakib Al Hasan (50 wickets)
Shakib, who floored Rohit for the 3rd time in T20s, owns 50 wickets from 42 matches at an average of 19.74. His economy rate is 6.92. Shahid Afridi is the next-best bowler with 39 wickets in T20 WCs. Shakib is one of the three bowlers with three four-wicket hauls in T20 World Cup history. Notably, he has played in every T20 World Cup edition, starting in 2007. He has featured in 40-plus matches – the most by a bowler. Overall, in T20Is, the left-arm spinner is closing in on 150 wickets. Shakib also owns 490-plus wickets in T20 cricket, making him a legend of the game.
Shahid Afridi (39 wickets)
Shahid Afridi played a key role in the past for Pakistan, helping them win the tournament in 2009 and making them reach the finals in 2007. Afridi left his journey as a legend in the T20s and, most importantly, the T20 WC. He finished his journey with 39 scalps at 23.25. He played 34 matches and managed two four-fers with the best of 4/11. His economy rate was 6.71. Afridi finished his career with 98 wickets for Pakistan in T20Is at 24.44. He managed 347 scalps in T20s at 22.78.
Wanindu Hasaranga (37 wickets)
Wanindu Hasaranga has grown to become a sturdy force in T20Is. He is already the 3rd-fastest bowler to 100 T20I scalps. The Sri Lankan ace has done well in the T20 World Cup. In just 19 matches, the right-arm spinner has grabbed 38 wickets at 11.72. His average is the best among bowlers, with 20-plus wickets. His economy rate is 6. Hasaranga is the only Lankan spinner with 100-plus T20I wickets. He averages 15.43, owning 110 wickets. Meanwhile, the ace spinner has 249 T20 wickets at 21.47 and is one short of 250.
Adam Zampa (36 wickets)
Adam Zampa has gone about his business in a proper way at the T20 World Cup. The leg-spinner has raced to 36 wickets after taking two wickets in the Super 8, Group 1 match versus Afghanistan. Zampa has been in outstanding form in this year’s T20 World Cup. He owns 13 wickets, taking at least one scalp in every match. Overall, in 20 T20 WC games, he owns 36 scalps at 12.55. His economy rate is 6.10. In 86 T20Is, he has 105 wickets at 21.21. He is the only Aussie bowler with 100-plus wickets in T20Is. Zampa is also Australia’s top wicket-taker in T20 World Cups. Overall, in T20s, the ace spinner has claimed 312 wickets at 22.23.
Saeed Ajmal (36 wickets)
Former Pakistan cricket team spinner Saeed Ajmal did an able job for his side in the T20 World Cup. He picked up 36 wickets from 23 matches at an average of 16.86. Notably, he stood out in 2009, claiming 12 wickets for his side in the title-winning campaign. Overall, Ajmal claimed 85 wickets in T20Is for Pakistan. He averaged 17.83, and his economy rate was a telling 6.36. Ajmal also finished with 271 T20 wickets from 195 matches at 17.36.
Rashid Khan (33 wickets)
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan is a T20 legend, and his influence has been great. Rashid is nearing 150 wickets in T20Is with 148 scalps under his belt. The youngster has already raced to 33 scalps in T20 WCs from 23 matches at 15.75. His economy rate is 6.31. Rashid could become the fastest to 150 wickets and is already the quickest to 100 T20I scalps. Overall, in T20s, Rashid has claimed 584 wickets. He is the most successful spinner in T20s and the second-highest wicket-taker overall after Dwayne Bravo.