Top 10 wicket-takers in T20 international cricket

Bowling in the shortest format of the game, T20, is a challenging job. The format is accustomed to flat pitches which not only test a bowler’s patience but also his skills. Twists and turns are a part and parcel of the game and a brilliant over or a crucial wicket can change the course of a game in no time. The international game has witnessed some fine bowlers execute their skills brilliantly over the years. Here’s a look at the top wicket-takers in T20Is:

10. Nuwan Kulasekara – 52:

Sri Lankan bowler Nuwan Kulasekara has recently reached the 50 wickets milestone in the shorter format of the game. He played 46 matches and taking 52 wickets at an average of 22.67. His best is 4/32 and his economy rate was 7.22.

9. Nathan McCullum- 55:

A limited-overs specialist for New Zealand, Nathan McCullum has proved to be a reliable off-spinner for his team. The elder brother of much celebrated Brendon McCullum, Nathan recently announced that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing season. He has played 61 matches and taken 55 wickets at 6.90. His best is 4/16 and his economy rate is 6.90.

8. Shakib Al Hasan- 55:

The Bangladeshi star cricketer has played 45 matches and taking 55 wickets at an average of 20.07. His best is 4/21 and his economy rate is 6.61. Shakib is currently the top-ranked all-rounder in International Cricket Council (ICC)’s list for both ODIs and T20Is and is ranked second in the ICC ranking of Test all-rounders. He is also featured in the ICC ODI bowlers’ ranking in the third position.

7. Dale Steyn- 55:

South African pace bowler Dale Steyn is widely and justifiably considered to be one of the greatest fast bowlers of all-time. Often referred to as ‘Steyn Gun’, enough to indicate his speed, he generates the kind of excitement and drama that makes fast bowling a sight to behold. He has played 38 matches taking 55 wickets at an average of 15.98 with the best of 4/9 while his economy rate is 6.45.

6. Stuart Broad- 65:

England fast bowler Stuart Broad recently achieved the status of the number-one ranked Test bowler in the world. He was once the skipper of the T20I side as well.  There have been few feistier cricketers in England’s history than him. Broad’s combative fast bowling and volatile temperament has been one of his great strengths. He has featured in 56 T20Is taking 65 wickets at 22.93 with a best of 4/24 while his economy rate is 7.62.

5. Ajantha Mendis- 66:

Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis is credited with reintroducing mystery spin world cricket. Mendis burst onto the scene by stunning everyone with his finger-flicked leg-breaks. His ‘carrom ball’, taken from the way the striker is flicked in the popular board game in the subcontinent, has accounted for many big wickets. He has played 39 T20Is taking 66 wickets at 14.42 with a best of 6/8 while his economy rate is 6.45.

4. Lasith Malinga- 78:

One of the greatest T20 bowlers ever, Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga has been a remarkable bowler over the years. He bowls with a distinctive and explosive round-arm action which generates genuine pace and can disconcert batsmen who struggle to pick up the ball’s trajectory. A genuine strike bowler, with both new ball and old, Malinga has played 62 matches taking 78 wickets at 20.28 with a best of 5/31.

3. Umar Gul- 85:

The Pakistani fast bowler has been a superb performer for his team over the years. He was out of action for a while and recently made a comeback from injury on his team’s tour to New Zealand. He isn’t express but bowls a very quick heavy ball and his exceptional control, ability to extract seam movement and bowl accurate yorkers marks him out. He has played 60 matches taking 85 wickets at 16.67 with a best of 5/6 while his economy rate is 7.19.

2. Saeed Ajmal- 85:

The Pakistani off-spinner who made a relatively late entry into international cricket, at the age of 30, has had a successful yet controversial career thus far. From being one of the most feared spinners in world cricket, he does not find himself a part of the Pakistan team today being banned for bowling with a suspected bowling action. Ajmal is currently working his way back with a remodelled bowling action. His 64 matches have produced 85 wickets at 17.83 with a best of 4/19 and an economy rate of 6.36.

1. Shahid Afridi- 92:

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan T20I captain is one of the game’s biggest hitters and a mercurial character. A magnetic crowd-puller, he is fondly known as ‘BOOM BOOM’ by legions of fans around the world. His bowling though has been a potent weapon and won his team many matches. He has played 92 matches and taken 92 wickets at an average of 23.90. His best spell is 4/11 and his economy rate is 6.59.

All stats updated till 29th Feb 2016.

Also read: Top 10 batsmen with the highest average in T20Is