Top 10 Bowlers with most wickets in a T20 tournament

Twenty20, the brash form of cricket, is generally referred to as a batsman’s format. But, this fact doesn’t hold true for some of the extraordinary bowlers around the world. With the conditions favoring them on most occasions, the batsmen may often act as bullies, tearing them apart mercilessly. But the bowlers too have adapted and have found ways to get better of their opponents. Some bowlers, with their brilliant performances, have shown that the T20 format is not all about bowlers getting thrashed.

Similarly, we try to list out the ten bowlers who have topped the bowling charts with most wicket in a Twenty20 tournament.

10. Tim Phillips – 26 wickets (Friends Life T20 tournament):

Tim Phillip is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who plays for English county club Essex. The now retired 35 years old cricketer made his T20 debut in 2006 but his best time as a T20 cricketer came in the 2011 Friends Life T20 tournament where he picked up 26 wickets and finished as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament. His best figures in the tournament were 4/22.

Who are the bowlers with most wickets in IPL? – Top 10 leading wicket takers in IPL history

9. Azharullah – 27 wickets (Friends Life T20 tournament):

Azharullah, the right-arm fast medium bowler, was the start bowler in the 2013 Friends Life T20 series. The Pakistan-born bowler snapped 27 wickets in 12 games at an average of 12.62 while maintaining an economy rate of 7.44. His brilliance with the ball played an important role in helping Northamptonshire eventually win the championship.

8. James Faulkner – 28 wickets (IPL):

James Faulkner, who is counted among one of the most effective bowlers in the format, had been a great contributor for his IPL franchise the Rajasthan Royals. In the 2013 season, Faulkner looked in wonderful form, snapping 28 wickets at a measly economy rate of 6.75 to finish as the second leading wicket taker of the tournament. He grabbed his best bowling figures of 5/16 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

7. Lasith Malinga – 28 wickets (IPL):

Lasith Malinga is one of the most lethal fast bowlers in this format and has been consistently effective for whichever franchise he has played so far in his T20 career. Malinga had a dream season in 2011 where he spearheaded Mumbai Indians bowling attack and emerged as their highest wicket-taker of the season. The unorthodox Sri Lankan took 28 wickets in 16 games at an average of 13.39 with the best bowling figures of 5/13.

6. Dwayne Bravo – 28 wickets (CPL):

Dwayne Bravo’s mixtures of slower yorkers, nippy bouncers, and smart cricketing brains make him a very valuable cricketer in the T20 format. Playing for Trinidad & Tobago, the seam bowling all-rounder was in good form during last season’s Caribbean Premier League and finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker. He took 28 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 11.71 at an economy rate of 7.34. His performances played an important role in helping his team win the title eventually.

5. Beuran Hendricks – 28 wickets (Ram Slam T20):

The tall right-hand fast bowler was at his peak of his form during the 2013/14 season of South Africa’s premier T20 tournament – The Ram Slam T20 Challenge. Hendricks took 28 wickets in just 11 games for his side Cape Cobras and emerged as the top wicket-taker of the tournament. His performance was outstanding and he led the second placed Kyle Abbott (16 wickets for Dolphins) by 12 wickets.

4. Kieron Pollard – 29 wickets (Friends Provident T20):

Kieron Pollard is one of the most fearsome batting all-rounders in the world at the moment. He may lack consistency but on his day can change the face of the match within no time with his power-hitting abilities. The giant West Indian is also a handy medium-pacer and can chip in with crucial breakthroughs. And, proved his bowling abilities after he finished as the third highest wicket-taker for Somerset in the 2010 Friends Provident T20 championship with 29 wickets in 17 games at an average of 14.35 while maintaining an economy rate of 6.64.

3. Danny Briggs – 31 wickets (Friends Provident T20):

Emerging English left-arm spinner Dan Briggs was just a 19-year-old rookie when he grabbed the headline by putting up some amazing bowling performances for his side Hampshire during the 2010 Friends Provident T20 championship. The 25-year-old, who has now played 1 ODI for England took 31 wickets in that season at a miserly economy of 6.64 and finished as the second in the highest wicket-taker.

2. Dwayne Bravo – 32 wickets (IPL):

Dwayne Bravo features in the list yet again. The all-rounder has been an integral part of the IPl franchise Chennai Superkings since he joined the team. He has always been among the wicket and contributes important runs batting lower down the order. The 2013 season was by far his best season with the ball. With 32 wickets in 18 games, he ended up as the Purple Cap holder of the season.

1. Alphonso Thomas – 33 wickets (Friends Provident T20):

Alphonso Thomas, a prolific name in South Africa’s domestic scene, has a reputation of being one of world’s best death over specialists. The fast-medium bowler was in great form during the 2010 Friends Provident T20 championship. Playing for the English side Somerset, he snapped 33 wickets in 19 games that season to emerge as the top wicket-taker of the season. He bowled with an economy of 6.31 and averaged 13.9. Surprisingly, he was unable to get any four-wicket of five-wicket haul and his best bowling figure were 3/11.

Also, read – Top 10 batsmen fastest to 1000 T20I runs