While T20 cricket is primarily a batsman’s game, the eight editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have witnessed some spectacular bowling performances that debunk the assumption. Although narrower boundaries and heavier bats have favored batsmen, bowlers have found a way to steal the show with some amazing performances.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has seen a number of bowlers surpass the five-wicket mark, with the majority of them playing a key part in their team’s victory. Three Sri Lankans appear on the list of the top bowling performances in T20 World Cup history.
The following are the top bowling performances from the tournament:
Ajantha Mendis – 6/8 vs Zimbabwe, 2012
Ajantha Mendis’ 6/8 for Sri Lanka is the best bowling figure in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup’s history. In the 2012 T20 World Cup, he accomplished the feat against Zimbabwe. Mendis’ brilliant bowling performance helped Sri Lanka defend their score of 183 to win by 82 runs. The victory is the ninth-largest margin of victory (in terms of runs) in the ICC tournament’s history. Ajantha Mendis’ bowling stats of 6/8 are also the second-best in T20 International cricket, trailing only Indian cricket team bowler Deepak Chahar’s performance of 6/7 against Bangladesh in 2019.
Rangana Herath – 5/3 vs New Zealand, 2014
Ajantha Mendis’ 6/8 for Sri Lanka is the greatest bowling stat in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He accomplished the feat against Zimbabwe in the 2012 T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka won by 82 runs thanks to Mendis’ outstanding bowling performance. The victory is the ninth-largest margin of victory (in terms of runs) in the history of the ICC competition. Ajantha Mendis’ 6/8 is also the second-best bowling number in T20 International cricket, trailing only Indian cricket team bowler Deepak Chahar’s 6/7 against Bangladesh in 2019.
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Umar Gul – 5/6 vs New Zealand, 2009
Umar Gul of Pakistan has the greatest bowling numbers by a fast bowler in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. With match stats of 5/6 at The Oval in 2009, the former pacer led Pakistan to knock out New Zealand for 99 runs, eventually winning by 6 wickets. Gul, interestingly, was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, with 13 wickets. Gul, known for his excellent yorkers, is the only bowler to have been twice in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup top wicket-takers list (2007, 2009).
Sam Curran – 5/10 vs Afghanistan, 2022
Sam Curran’s 5/10 bowling numbers are the best by an Englishman in the game’s shortest format. His amazing effort helped England defeat Afghanistan by five wickets in the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022 at Perth Cricket Stadium. Sam Curran has done all the hard work in this tournament, he bowled superbly outstandingly throughout.
England defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in their opening Twenty20 World Cup encounter on Saturday in Perth, thanks to Sam Curran’s stunning five-wicket haul and some great fielding. England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to play, and his seam bowlers delivered for the squad regarded as one of the tournament favorites. Quick left-arm Curran bowled 5-10 to dismiss Afghanistan for 112 in 19.4 overs, becoming the first England bowler to capture five wickets in a T20.
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Ahsan Malik – 5/19 vs South Africa, 2014
The Netherlands’ bowler Ahsan Malik’s 5/19 against South Africa in Chattogram in 2014 is the best bowling stat by an associate nation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Malik’s crucial wickets kept South Africa to 145 after he bowled first. Despite Malik’s outstanding performance, the Netherlands fell only six runs short of a historic victory.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 5/20 vs Scotland, 2021
Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Afghanistan recorded his career-best bowling statistics of 5/20 in T20I cricket against Scotland in the Super 12 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. Mujeeb’s session helped Afghanistan defeat Scotland by 130 runs by limiting them to their lowest T20I total of 60.
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Mustafizur Rahman 5/22 vs New Zealand, 2016
In the Super 10 encounter of the T20 World Cup 2016, New Zealand experienced the wrath of Mustafizur’s cunning. The Kiwi hitters struggled to score against Rahman’s deft speed changes on the Eden Garden ground, which aided slower bowlers. Despite Bangladesh’s defeat, Mustafizur’s 5/22 remains the greatest match figure at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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James Faulkner 5/27 vs Pakistan, 2016
The greatest bowling numbers by an Australian in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are 5/27 by James Faulkner. In 2016, the left-arm pacer accomplished the record against Pakistan in Mohali. He also earned his best match stats in international cricket in the process. Australia won the match by 21 runs thanks to his efforts.
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Lasith Malinga 5/31 vs England, 2012
Lasith Malinga’s 5/31 bowling numbers are the greatest by a Sri Lankan fast bowler in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His contribution helped Sri Lanka defeat England by 19 runs in the last Super Eight match at Pallekele. Malinga’s 5/31 was the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2012’s only five-wicket haul.