Top 10 bowlers with most wickets in T20I cricket

No Indian bowler among the top 10 highest wicket-takers in T20I cricket.

Cricket’s shortest format has grown multi-fold in its stature. T20 cricket began in 2003 in English county. In the last two decades, it has become the most business friendly format for all the boards. Various leagues around the world are a big example of how fan friendly format this has become in the period. Just like test cricket, T20 also demands a specialist cricketer for the assigned position.

The first T20I game was played in February 2005 between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland. Since then many players have come and entertained the crowd with their magnificent performances. It is a bit surprising to see no player from India, the inaugural T20 World Cup winners, among the top 10 bowlers with the most wickets in T20I. But there are a lot of worthy names who have remained consistent throughout their career.

Let’s have a look at the top ten highest wicket takers in T20I cricket:

10. Mark Adair (Ireland) – 102 wickets:

Right-arm fast bowler Mark Adair has been a magnificent performer for Ireland’s side. Mark Adair has done a great job for his national side across formats. Adair has remained a consistent performer in the limited-overs cricket and rose to become a member of the top 10 leading wicket-takers in T20I cricket. Mark Adair has picked up 102 wickets in 74 games in T20I cricket.

9. Shadab Khan (Pakistan) – 104 wickets:

Shadab Khan is Pakistan’s one of the biggest match-winners in T20I cricket. He contributed massively to Pakistan’s success in the T20Is in the last few years. Shadab Khan is close to 100 T20I games in his career, he has played 92 T20I games so far and picked up 104 wickets. He has also scored 569 runs in 43 innings with a half-century to his name.

8. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) – 105 wickets:

Since his debut, Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has had a stellar run for his nation in international cricket. Mustafizur Rahman has so far picked up 105 wickets in 88 T20I games in his career. The 28-year-old Mustafizur has remained a consistent performer for the Bangladesh cricket team in limited-overs cricket and leads their pace attack.

7. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) – 105 wickets:

The Kiwi all-rounder Mitchell Santner is one of the most underrated cricketers in T20I cricket. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner has so far played 93 T20I games for the Kiwis and picked up 105 wickets. He is also the third leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in this format of the game. Mitchell Santner has also played a few decent knocks in T20Is. He has scored 610 runs in 64 T20I innings.

6. Adil Rashid (England) – 107 wickets:

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has been very crucial in England’s success in limited-overs cricket. Adil Rashid led the English side to many wins in T20Is and ODIs with his consistency. Adil Rashid has so far played 104 T20I games so far and picked up 107 Wickets. Adil Rashid has picked up 21 wickets in 22 T20 World Cup games for England. Rashid’s economy rate (7.38) has been phenomenal in this format.

5. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 107 wickets:

Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga was once the leading wicket-taker in T20Is. Even after ending his career 4 years ago, the right-arm pacer still features among the top five leading wicket-takers in the format. Lasith Malinga picked up 107 wickets in 84 games he played for Sri Lanka. Malinga also had magnificent performances in T20 leagues around the world.

4. Ish Sodhi (New Zealand) – 126 wickets:

New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi is the fourth leading wicket-taker in T20I cricket with 126 wickets in 105 games. Ish Sodhi has played 105 games in his career so far and is going strong in the format. Ish Sodhi has become a limited-overs specialist for the Kiwi side. The 31-year-old leg spinner Ish Sodhi also has 63 wickets to his name in 51 ODI matches.

3. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 130 wickets:

Rashid Khan is one of the biggest match-winners in T20I cricket. Rashid’s stellar performance in his short T20I career has made him a big name in this format of the game. Rashid Khan represents various teams in T20 leagues around the world and has done a magnificent job. Rashid Khan has so far played 82 matches and picked up 130 wickets in T20Is. Rashid’s economy rate stands at 6.17 in T20Is.

2. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 140 wickets:

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is one of the most consistent performers in world cricket across formats. Shakib Al Hasan mostly maintains top spot in ICC rankings for all-rounders and his number also suggest the quality he brings to the Bangladesh side. Shakib Al Hasan is the second highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 140 scalps to his name in 117 games.

1. Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 147 wickets:

New Zealand’s right-arm pacer Tim Southee is the leading wicket-taker in shortest format of the game. The 35-year-old Tim Southee has been a prolific wicket-taker for Kiwis in T20I cricket. Southee has so far played 117 T20I games for New Zealand and picked up 147 wickets at an economy rate of 8.13, Southee also has two five-wicket hauls to his name in T20Is.

(All stats updated till 7th January, 2024)

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