Team-wise highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket (Test playing nations)
India have the most wins in T20I cricket among the test-playing nations.
Bowling in T20 cricket is considered one of the toughest challenges in the game. Unlike test cricket, where bowlers have the opportunity to set up the batsmen over multiple overs, T20 cricket demands bowlers to execute their plans right from the first ball.
The high-pressure nature of T20 cricket also gives bowlers more opportunities to take wickets due to the high-risk shots the batters play.
Over the years, several bowlers have been the torchbearers of their teams’ bowling attacks in T20I cricket, delivering match-winning performances. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket for each of the 12 test-playing nations.
Team-wise highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket (Test playing nations):
1. Australia – Adam Zampa (117 wickets)
Making his T20I debut in 2016, Adam Zampa has been a white-ball specialist for Australia. The 32-year-old leg-spinner has taken 117 wickets in T20Is and played a crucial role in Australia’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign in 2021.
His impressive wicket tally comes at an average of 21, with an economy rate of just over 7.5. He also has one five-wicket haul to his name.
2. England – Adil Rashid (127 wickets)
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid has taken 127 wickets at an average of 24 in T20Is, making him England’s highest wicket-taker in the shortest format. Rashid has been a regular feature for England in limited-overs cricket for the past decade
His ability to deceive batsmen with flighted deliveries makes him an integral part of the English bowling attack. He played crucial roles in England’s title-winning campaigns of the World Cup 2019 and T20 World Cup 2022.
3. South Africa – Tabraiz Shamsi (89 wickets)
Tabraiz Shamsi has made a name for himself in the shortest format of the game. The 34-year-old has developed a strong understanding of T20 cricket by playing in various franchise leagues around the world.
Shamsi has taken 89 wickets in 70 T20Is at an average of 20, making him South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket.
4. West Indies – Dwayne Bravo (78 wickets)
One of the biggest superstars of T20 cricket, Dwayne Bravo is the most successful West Indies bowler in T20Is, with 78 wickets at an average of 26. He is hailed as one of the greatest death-overs T20 bowler.
In addition to his bowling, Bravo was also a reliable finisher for the West Indies. He played a massive role in their T20 World Cup victories in 2012 and 2016.
5. New Zealand – Tim Southee (164 wickets)
Former speedster Tim Southee is New Zealand’s most successful T20I bowler, with 164 wickets in 126 matches at an average of 22.38.
Making his international debut in 2008, the 36-year-old has taken two five-wicket hauls in T20Is. Over the years, he formed one of the most successful fast-bowling duos with Trent Boult.
6. India – Arshdeep Singh (97 wickets)
Arshdeep Singh‘s rise to international cricket has been remarkable. He made his T20I debut in 2022 against England and has since become India’s go-to bowler in the format.
Arshdeep stands as India‘s leading wicket-taker in T20Is, with 97 wickets at an impressive average of 17.90. He was also the joint-leading wicket-taker in India’s victorious T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.
7. Pakistan – Haris Rauf (110 wickets)
One of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, Haris Rauf holds the record for the most T20I wickets for Pakistan, with 110 wickets in 79 matches at an average of 21.2.
Rauf earned recognition through his impressive stint with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL). He is also a key part of Pakistan’s bowling attack in white-ball cricket, alongside Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.
8. Sri Lanka – Wanindu Hasaranga (131 wickets)
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been a vital part of the Sri Lankan team in white-ball cricket. Making his T20I debut in 2019, Hasaranga has become Sri Lanka’s premier bowler in pressure situations.
Hasaranga has taken 131 wickets in 79 T20Is at an average of 22, making him Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in the shortest format. Additionally, he has also contributed with two T20I half-centuries.
9. Zimbabwe – Sikandar Raza (79 wickets)
Zimbabwe’s T20I captain Sikandar Raza has emerged as one of the biggest players for his country in the format. The off-spinner has taken 79 wickets in 102 matches at an average of 22, including one five-wicket haul, making him Zimbabwe’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is.
The 38-year-old all-rounder often bowls during the batting powerplay, particularly against left-handers, to allow the fast bowlers to rotate from the other end.
10. Bangladesh – Shakib Al Hasan (149 wickets)
Regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of the current generation, Shakib Al Hasan took 149 wickets in 129 T20Is, making him Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in the format.
The 37-year-old’s impressive tally includes two five-wicket hauls and six four-wicket hauls. The southpaw has also been a key contributor with the bat, scoring 13 half-centuries in the format.
11. Ireland – Mark Adair (127 wickets)
All-rounder Mark Adair has been a consistent presence for Ireland in T20Is since making his debut in 2019. The right-arm pacer has taken 127 wickets in 88 matches at an average of 19 and currently stands as Ireland’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is.
12. Afghanistan – Rashid Khan (161 wickets)
Arguably the best spinner in T20 cricket, Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker in the shortest international format, with 161 wickets in 96 matches at an incredible average of just 13!
Rashid’s outstanding T20I career includes two five-wicket hauls and eight four-wicket hauls. The 26-year-old has also worked on his batting in recent years, establishing himself as a genuine all-rounder in the format.
(All stats are updated till 23rd January 2025)
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