Best Bowler in T20 World Cup History 2024

3 min readJun 18, 2024

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is a spectacle of power-hitting, acrobatic fielding, and nail-biting finishes. But amidst the sixes and flying catches, the bowlers play a crucial role in restricting runs and taking crucial wickets. With the 2024 edition currently underway, cricket fans worldwide are buzzing with the question: who will be crowned the best bowler of the tournament?

While the tournament is still young, there are strong contenders who have already made their mark. However, determining the “best” bowler in T20 World Cup history, encompassing all editions, requires a deeper dive into past performances and record-breaking feats.

The Current Contenders: A Battle Unfolding

This year, the T20 World Cup has witnessed some phenomenal bowling displays. Leading the pack is Afghanistan’s young gun, Fazalhaq Farooqi. His raw pace and pinpoint accuracy have yielded a staggering 12 wickets in just the first three matches, making him the current tournament’s top wicket-taker. Hot on his heels is South Africa’s express fast bowler, Anrich Nortje, who has unleashed his searing pace to claim eight wickets so far.

Legendary Performances: Etched in History

Looking back at past T20 World Cups, some bowlers have etched their names in history with their exceptional performances. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga holds the record for most wickets in a single edition, claiming a whopping 16 scalps in both the 2021 and 2022 tournaments. His deceptive leg spin bamboozled batsmen consistently, making him a true T20 great.

Pakistan boasts the only bowler to top the wicket-taking charts twice: Umar Gul. In the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and again in 2009, Gul’s swing bowling proved too much to handle, earning him a well-deserved place in T20 folklore.

Beyond Wickets: Economy and Impact

While wickets are a crucial metric, the mark of a truly great T20 bowler goes beyond mere numbers. Economy rate, the number of runs conceded per over, plays a vital role. Spinners like India’s Yuzvendra Chahal and Sri Lanka’s Ajanta Mendis have often strangled opposition batting lineups with their tight bowling, even if their wicket count wasn’t the highest.

Furthermore, the impact a bowler has on a crucial juncture of the game can be immeasurable. Think of Lasith Malinga’s fiery yorkers in pressure situations or Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to break vital partnerships. These moments of brilliance can single-handedly shift the momentum of a match, solidifying a bowler’s legacy.

The Evolving Landscape of T20 Bowling

The art of T20 bowling is constantly evolving. Batsmen are becoming increasingly aggressive, forcing bowlers to innovate and adapt. We’re seeing a rise in slower deliveries, variations in pace, and clever use of the field. Players like Rashid Khan and Sunil Narine have redefined spin bowling in T20 cricket, showcasing the effectiveness of guile and deception over brute force.

Who Will Claim the Crown? The Verdict

The race for the “best bowler” title in the 2024 T20 World Cup is still wide open. Farooqi’s early dominance is impressive, but the likes of Nortje, Cummins, and established stars like Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi have the potential to challenge his lead. As the tournament progresses, factors like opposition faced, pressure situations handled, and overall impact on their team’s success will come into play.

Ultimately, determining the absolute best bowler in T20 World Cup history is a subjective call. Each edition throws up new heroes, and past legends continue to inspire. What we can celebrate is the variety of bowling styles, the strategic brilliance, and the sheer skill that these bowlers bring to the game, making T20 cricket a truly thrilling spectacle.

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