In a format dominated by batters’ power-hitting, bowlers too play their part by restricting the opposition to a minimum score on the board. Jasprit Bumrah played that crucial role in the T20 World Cup 2024, bowling at an economy rate of just 4.17 in eight matches. While batters look to maintain ever-rising strike rates, a tight economy rate is equally important for bowlers. Whether through delivering on-point yorkers, variations or a spin spell, bowlers master the art of control at the biggest stage.
Operating in high-pressure phases of the game like the powerplay or the death overs, bowlers have the ability to concede minimal runs, over these years only a few select players have combined discipline, intelligence and adaptability to record outstanding economy rates. In this article, we aim to explore the bowlers with the best economy rates in T20 World Cup history. We have compiled a list of top 10 bowlers, who have bowled a minimum of 25 overs in the T20 Worl Cup for a fair assessment.
Top 3 players with best economy rate in T20 World Cup history
3. Jasprit Bumrah (5.44)
Not many pacers can bowl at under 6 runs an over in T20Is. But guess what, Jasprit Bumrah bowled 29.4 overs in the T20 World Cup 2024, while maintaining an economy rate of just 4.17. Overall, in 18 matches, bowling 68.2 overs, Bumrah has an economy rate of just 5.44. He also has 26 wickets.
2. Hamid Hassan (5.42)
There is one pacer who has better economy rate than Jasprit Bumrah. It’s the former Afghan pacer Hamid Hassan. He played nine matches in T20 World Cup for Afghanistan, bowling 31.3 overs and maintaining an economy rate of just 5.42. Hassan also bagged 10 wickets.
1. Sunil Narine (5.17)
Sunil Narine is a deceptive, miserly and difficult spinner to face in the T20 format. Hence, it is hardly surprising that the former West Indies mystery player would make the list. Narine is on top with an economy rate of just 5.17, playing 12 T20 World Cup matches, bowling 44.4 overs. He also bagged 15 wickets in those.
Best economy rate in T20 World Cup history
| Player | Country | Mat | Ovs | Balls | Wkts | Best | Econ | SR | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine | West Indies | 12 | 44.4 | 268 | 15 | 3/9 | 5.17 | 17.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Hamid Hassan | Afghanistan | 9 | 31.3 | 189 | 10 | 3/9 | 5.42 | 18.9 | 0 | 0 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 18 | 68.2 | 410 | 26 | 3/7 | 5.44 | 15.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Samuel Badree | West Indies | 15 | 59 | 354 | 24 | 4/15 | 5.52 | 14.7 | 1 | 0 |
| Anrich Nortje | South Africa | 19 | 71.5 | 431 | 35 | 4/7 | 5.55 | 12.3 | 3 | 0 |
| Imad Wasim | Pakistan | 12 | 41 | 246 | 10 | 3/8 | 5.56 | 24.6 | 0 | 0 |
| Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | 17 | 67.1 | 403 | 20 | 4/20 | 5.83 | 20.1 | 1 | 0 |
| Trent Boult | New Zealand | 18 | 71.4 | 430 | 34 | 4/13 | 5.93 | 12.6 | 1 | 0 |
| Nathan McCullum | New Zealand | 22 | 67.1 | 403 | 23 | 3/15 | 5.94 | 17.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Imran Tahir | South Africa | 9 | 36 | 216 | 18 | 4/21 | 5.94 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
Cricket
No Jasprit Bumrah in IND vs USA T20 World Cup game; Ishan Kishan vs Sanju Samson debate settled
