Most Wickets in ICC Men’s 20 World Cup is an achievement that differentiates the good bowlers from the real winners of a match. With batters on the offensive on the initial ball, wicket-taking on a regular basis over several World Cups is one of the most difficult tasks in the game of cricket.
These figures are accumulated during years of pressure matches, an aggressive audience, and dangerous coverage. According to the official tournament results between 2007 and 2024, the following are the five best bowlers with the Most Wickets in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be played in 2026.
Most Wickets in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Defines Match Winners
The 2026 T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and bowlers are gearing up to make an impact in the batting-dominating game and pitches. We’re going to check out the top 5 bowlers who took the most wickets in the Men’s ICC T20 World Cup History.
Rashid Khan – 37 Wickets in 23 Matches
Rashid Khan has been a game-changer for Afghanistan on the global stage. Level with Hasaranga on wickets, he completes the top five for Most Wickets in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history.
Rashid combines speed through the air with sharp turns and perfect control. Batters struggle to read him, especially in pressure situations. His economy and strike rate highlight how dangerous he is in the middle overs, where matches are often decided. He needs 14 wickets to be the leader of the pack.
Wanindu Hasaranga – 37 Wickets in 19 Matches
Wanindu Hasaranga is the fastest climber on the Most Wickets in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup chart. In just 19 matches, he has already taken 37 wickets, an incredible return that shows his attacking mindset. His average and strike rate are among the best in World Cup history.
Hasaranga bowls with pace, confidence, and constant intent to take wickets. With the 2026 World Cup partly hosted in Sri Lanka, he has a strong chance to challenge the very top of this list. Just like Rashid Khan, he also needs 14 wickets to reach the top of the list.
Lasith Malinga – 38 Wickets in 31 Matches
Lasith Malinga was the master of pressure bowling. With 38 wickets, he remains one of the most feared bowlers in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. His unique action and deadly yorkers made life difficult for even the best finishers.
The strike rate was also one of the best on this list, as Malinga demonstrated the ability to deliver breakthroughs on a regular basis. His five-wicket haul in a match at the World Cup is one of the most unforgettable bowling performances in the Tournament.
Shahid Afridi – 39 Wickets in 34 Matches
Shahid Afridi brought chaos and confidence to the T20 World Cup bowling. Ranked second for the Most Wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Afridi was never afraid to attack batters. He tossed the ball up, invited big shots, and trusted his instinct.
Most of his wickets were made in very critical situations and at a time when the opposition seemed so comfortable. The fact that Afridi managed to switch games within one over made him one of Pakistan’s greatest resources in world cups.
Shakib Al Hasan – 50 Wickets in 43 Matches
Shakib Al Hasan stands alone at the top of the Most Wickets in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup list. No other bowler has taken more wickets in the tournament’s history. His success comes from control, balance, and smart thinking rather than raw pace or sharp turns. However, due to Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, he will not feature in any ICC Event.
Shakib delivered in virtually all the stages of the innings. He came on first, pitied the in-between, and frequently completed pressure spells. He has been reliable in almost 20 T20 World Cups, which makes his figures average just over 20 and his economy rate under 7.
Why These Records Matter Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
New bowling stars will be introduced through the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and making it to this elite list cannot be simple. The construction of these records was done with consistency, fearlessness, and the ability to perform under extreme pressure.
The role of fast bowlers and spinners in deciding the matches will once again be very massive. The standards that these five bowlers have established delineate what greatness is, but every wicket in 2026 will count.
The most-wicket race in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be on till the last, yet these names have already created their mark in the history of cricket.
The majority of Wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are not only about economy. It is about impact. One wicket is enough to halt a chase, take away the steam, or cause a collapse. The bowlers in this list performed repetitively when their respective teams needed to break through most.
They rolled in different times, on slow pitches and flat tracks, on the best batters in the world. Their history reveals why wicket-takers in the bowlers make the World Cups.
FAQs on Most Wickets in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Shakib Al Hasan holds the record for the Most Wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He has taken 50 wickets from 2007 to 2024, making him the most successful bowler in the tournament’s history.
The most active players are Wanindu Hasaranga and Rashid Khan. Both have already taken 37 wickets and may fight for first place in future World Cups (including 2026) if they continue to perform well.
The T20 world cup is less in number of matches and is highly pressurized. The batters strike frequently, and the bowlers, therefore, must not be allowed the space to make an error. Wicket-taking is a skill that requires courage and experience, which are essential in a series of tournaments.