Top 10 Most economical bowling spells in T20Is

The T20 format is not a kind format for the bowlers. The fastest version of cricket is often seen as the death of bowling thanks to flat pitches and small grounds where even a mishit flies off for a six. But on occasions bowlers have managed to get the upper hand, especially if there is some assistance from the pitch and conditions are favorable. Here are 10 such bowlers who managed to keep a tight noose on the opposition and bowled their 4 overs in the most economical way. 10. Mudassar Bukhari (Netherlands) – 1.75 v UAE: Mudassar Bukhari (Photo Source:ICC/Sander Tholen) This was the only T20I match played in Dubai recently. Netherlands batted first and scored 157/5, with Warren Barresi making 48 and captain Peter Borren making 43 to help Netherlands get to a respectable total. The United Arab Emirates had to chase a stiff target of 158 on their home turf. But the Dutch opening bowling pair of Michael Swart and especially Mudassar Bukhari decided to decimate the UAE batting order with Swart taking 1 wicket for 5 runs while Bukhari did the major damage taking 4 wickets for 7 runs in his 4 overs. His wickets included that of the best UAE batsman in Shaiman Anwar. 9. Aizaz Khan (Hong Kong) – 1.75 v Nepal: Aizaz Khan of Hong Kong. (Photo by Graham Crouch-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) Hong Kong and Nepal met in Belfast in the ICC World T20 qualifier in 2015. Nepal batted first and put up a total of 109 runs. Only Rajesh Pulami (25) and Sharad Vesawkar (27) could pass 20 runs and rest of the batsmen failed to make any big contribution on a pitch that was conducive to pace bowling. Hong Kong’s opening bowler Haseeb Amjad returned the figures of 4/17 and Aizaz Khan did his bit, taking 1 wicket for 7 runs in his 4 overs. Hong Kong won the match easily with Nizakat Khan making 25 and Anshuman Rath and Babar Hayat making contributions that pushed Hong Kong over the line. 8. Peter Ongondo (Kenya) – 1.75 v Ireland: Kenyan cricketer Peter Ongondo. (Photo by DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images) This was the 1st semi-final of the ICC World T20 qualifier in 2008 and it featured Kenya going against Ireland in Belfast. Kenya batted first, but Irish bowlers wreaked havoc in bowler friendly conditions and bowled Kenya out for just 67 runs. Ireland’s Andre Botha picked up 3/20 and played a major part in demolishing Kenya. Though the target was very small, Ireland was made to work for their runs by the Kenyan bowlers. Especially, the opening bowlers Thomas Odoyo who took 2/13 in 4 overs and the miserly Peter Ongondo who bowled his 4 overs for 7 runs including a maiden, kept Ireland in check. Ireland managed to reach the target in the last over for the loss of 6 wickets. 7. Mohammad Amir (Pakistan) – 1.50 v UAE: Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir. (Photo by STR/AFP/Getty Images) Mohammad Amir’s figures of 4 overs, 2 wickets for 6 runs against UAE in the Asia Cup T20 2016 made us wonder, what he could have achieved in the world of cricket, if he had not been banned 5 years for his involvement in spot-fixing. Amir made sure the UAE openers didn’t get a big start in the first 6 overs and kept them on the back foot, thanks to some sublime swing and beautiful seam bowling. He regularly clocked over 140 miles per hour and managed to return with good figures, despite UAE making 129/6, with most of the runs coming from the trio of Shaiman Anwar, Amjad Javed and Mohammad Usman. Pakistan were pegged back by fall of wickets thanks to Javed again, who got 3 wickets in his first spell, reducing Pakistan to 17/3 in 3 overs. But a resilient partnership between Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal made sure that Pakistan were saved from an embarrassing loss and added more than 100 runs in the process. 6. Sulieman Benn (West Indies) – 1.50 v Zimbabwe: West Indies cricketer Sulieman Benn. (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images) This only T20I played at Port of Spain in 2010 saw West Indian spinner Sulieman Benn return with figures of 4-2-6-4. Zimbabwe batted first and Benn opened the bowling and took 4 out of the first 5 wickets to fall. Interestingly, all his 4 wickets were dismissed for ducks. Zimbabwe made 105 with Hamilton Masakadza making 44 and Elton Chigumbura making 34. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer (3/11) and Greg Lamb (2/14) strangled the West Indian batting which were without Gayle and Bravo, so much that West Indians could only make 79/7 in their 20 overs and Zimbabwe secured a shocking win by 26 runs. 5. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 1.50 v Bangladesh: New Zealand Daniel Vettori. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) New Zealand and Bangladesh met in T20 international series in 2010 in Bangladesh. The hosts batted first and made 78 runs with highest score of 18 coming from Raqibul Hasan. Chief wreckers were Daryll Tuffey (2/16) and Daniel Vettori, who returned the figures of 3 wickets for 6 runs from his 4 overs and economy of just 1.50. New Zealand knocked off the runs in just 8.2 overs with Brendon McCullum making 56* off 27 balls. 4. Ray Price (Zimbabwe) – 1.50 v Canada: Zimbabwe cricketer Ray Price. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Canada and Zimbabwe met in the 3rd place playoff match in the Canada T20 tournament in 2008. Zimbabwe batted first against the host and made 184/5 with Masakadza making 79 and Chamu Chibhabha making 40 runs. Canada had the task of making 185 runs in 20 overs. But the Zimbabwean bowlers proved too much for the inexperienced Canadian batting lineup. Zimbabwe opened with left-arm spinner Ray Price and he played an important role in breaking Canadian top order taking 2 wickets for 6 runs in 4 overs. This included 2 maiden overs. Canada could only muster 75 runs, with only Abdool Samad (29) and Umar Bhatti (11) reaching double figures. 3. Chris Mpofu (Zimbabwe) – 1.50 v Canada: Christopher Mpofu. (Photo Source: AFP) In the same match mentioned previously, Zimbabwe’s opening bowler Chris Mpofu also bowled his 4 overs for 6 runs and took 1 wicket. This was the first time when both the opening bowlers returned the economy of 1.50 in the same match. Mpofu took the wicket of opener Ashif Mulla and kept one end tight, enabling his partner, spinner Ray Price breaking the top order of Canada. Canada lost the match by 109 runs and though Hamilton Masakadza got the Man of the match for his 79, Zimbabwe actually won the match thanks to the performances of their bowlers. 2. Prosper Utseya (Zimbabwe) – 1.50 v Pakistan: Prosper Utseya. (Photo Source: AFP) The 5th match of the Canada T20 series in 2008 saw Zimbabwe and Pakistan face off. Zimbabwe batted first and was stopped at 107/8 at the end of their 20 overs. Hamilton Masakadza made 53 and Cephus Zhuwao made 12, with no other batsman reaching double figures in the innings. Fawad Alam was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 7 runs in his 3 overs. Pakistan had no trouble scoring the runs and they won by 7 wickets with Shoaib Khan Jr making 50 and Salman Butt making 33*. They did, however, have lots of trouble facing the Zimbabwe skipper Prosper Utseya who bowled very well on the pitch suitable for bowlers. He bowled his 4 overs for just 6 runs and helped Chris Mpofu pick up 3 wickets, by building pressure on the batsmen from his end. Utseya’s figures of 4 overs and 6 runs with 1 maiden over is the second most economical bowling spell in T20 internationals. 1. Aizaz Khan (Hong Kong) – 1.00 v Nepal: Aizaz Khan of Hong Kong. (Photo by Graham Crouch-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) The most economical spell of T20 internationals was bowled by Aizaz Khan of Hong Kong against Nepal at Colombo, P Sara Oval ground in 2014. The match was the 4th T20I of the series and Nepal batted first and was bowled out for 72 runs with only Sompal Kami making 40 runs and none of the others reaching double figures. The star bowler for Hong Kong was Aizaz Khan who picked up 2 wickets in his 4 overs and gave away just 4 runs. He is the only bowler to have an economy of 1.00 in T20Is after bowling his full quota of 4 overs. Nepal made life uneasy for Hong Kong in the chase and Hong Kong just reached the score with 2 wickets in hand and 1 ball to spare. They were reduced to 21/5 and a pair of 21 runs scored by Aizaz Khan and Anas Khan, who made 21* ensured that Hong Kong won the match. Aizaz Khan got the player of the match trophy for his world record most economic bowling figure of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 4 runs and 2 wickets. (All stats updated till 1st March 2016) Also read: Top 10 teams with most losses in T20 Internationals

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Top 10 Most economical bowling spells in T20Is

6. Sulieman Benn (West Indies) – 1.50 v Zimbabwe:

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