With the doors knocking on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the T20 tournament has seen several players shine with their performances. Be it the game-changing knock from a batter, bowlers, too, have bowled countless match-winning spells. Only a few have stood out, claiming the most wickets in a single edition of the tournament.
A format which is dominated by unforgiving margins, bowlers have consistently struck to join an elite list of players. Putting up skill and variation along with tactical awareness, these bowlers have stood out to finish in the list of most wickets in a single edition of the T20 World Cup. Here in this article, we have listed down the bowlers who have taken the most wickets in a single edition of the tournament.
Players with most wickets across every T20 World Cup edition
Umar Gul: 13 wickets in T20 World Cup 2007 & 2008-09
Umar Gul, who was often feared to be a lethal bowler during his playing days, finished as the highest wicket-taker in back-to-back editions of the tournament. Playing for Pakistan in the 2007 and 2008-09 editions, Umar Gul picked up 13 wickets each across the two editions.
Dirk Nannes: 14 wickets in T20 World Cup 2010
Former Australian cricketer and left-arm fast bowler, Dirk Nannes, finished the 2010 edition of the T20 spectacle as the highest wicket-taker. He picked up 13 wickets in seven matches for Australia, at an economy of 7.03 and a strike rate of 11.14.
Ajantha Mendis: 15 wickets in T20 World Cup 2012
Sri Lanka’s former bowler, Ajantha Mendis, also features in the list of top wicket-takers across editions. The former international picked up 15 wickets in the T20 World Cup 2012 in six matches.
Imran Tahir: 12 wickets in T20 World Cup 2014
Former South Africa bowler Imran Tahir also features in this elite list. Playing for the Protea Men in T20 WC 2014, Tahir claimed 12 wickets and finished as the highest wicket-taker in that edition.
Mohammad Nabi: 12 wickets in T20 World Cup 2016
In the T20 World Cup 2015-16, which was played in India, Mohammad Nabi picked 12 wickets in seven matches, at an economy of 6.07 and a strike rate of 13.50.
Wanindu Hasaranga: 16 wickets in T20 World Cup 2021-22
Hasaranga came into the limelight in T20 World Cup 2021-22, where he finished as the top wicket-taker, scalping 16 wickets across eight matches. Playing in conditions most favourable in the UAE & Oman, Hasaranga bowled 29.4 overs while conceding 124 runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga: 15 wickets in T20 World Cup 2022-23
Sri Lanka’s spin sensation, Wanindu Hasaranga, has been just at a different level. In the 2022-23 edition of the tournament, which was played in Australia, Hasaranga picked up 15 wickets in eight matches, striking at the rate of 12.40 and an economy of 6.41.
Fazalhaq Farooqi & Arshdeep Singh: 17 wickets each in T20 World Cup 2024
Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi and India’s Arshdeep Singh both picked up the highest number of wickets in the latest edition of the T20 WC, which was played in the USA and West Indies in 2024. Featuring in eight matches for their respective sides, the pacers picked up 17 wickets each.
Most wickets in T20 World Cup in each edition
| Edition | Player | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Umar Gul (Pakistan) | 13 |
| 2009 | Umar Gul (Pakistan) | 13 |
| 2010 | Dirk Nannes (Australia) | 14 |
| 2012 | Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) | 15 |
| 2014 | Imran Tahir (South Africa) | 12 |
| 2016 | Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) | 13 |
| 2021 | Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) | 16 |
| 2022 | Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) | 15 |
| 2024 | Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan), Arshdeep Singh (India) | 17 |
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