Most wickets in every T20 World Cup edition

Umar Gul (Pakistan) | 2007

Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul was in tremendous form in the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup as he played an instrumental role in taking his side to the final with 13 wickets. He was also the pick of the bowlers in the final with 3/28 but ended up on the losing side. Interestingly, he was one of three bowlers who missed hitting the stumps in the bowl out that handed India a victory in a league stage match.

Umar Gul (Pakistan) | 2009

Umar Gul once again was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament for the second consecutive time with 13 wickets. However, this time he went on to win the T20 title with Pakistan after falling agonizingly short in the final against India in the inaugural edition in 2007. He finished with figures of 1/29 in a final against Sri Lanka which Pakistan won comfortably by eight wickets.

Dirk Nannes (Australia) | 2010

The T20 World Cup 2010 was the highlight of Dirk Nannes’ career after he finished as the highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets, including a best of 4/18 against Bangladesh. Though he had a short T20 career, Nannes made the most of it at the 2010 World Cup by playing a key role as Australia progressed to the final before succumbing to defeat against England.

Also Read: Every Player of the tournament winners in T20 World Cup History

Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) | 2012

Ajantha Mendis was one of the pillars in Sri Lanka’s run till the finals of the T20 World Cup 2012 held in their backyard, which is still the best run by any home team in the T20 World Cup. Mendis tallied a total of 15 wickets from just six matches at an average of 9.80 and an excellent strike rate of 9.60. Batters found it hard to pick his mystery spin as he finished the competition with an economy of just 6.12. 

In the very first match of the tournament, Mendis returned with mind-boggling figures of 6/8 against Zimbabwe. He also bowled magnificently in the final against West Indies with a bowling effort of 4/12 although it wasn’t enough to help Sri Lanka win the coveted T20 title.

Imran Tahir (South Africa) & Ahsan Malik (Netherlands) | 2014

South Africa’s Imran Tahir and Netherlands’ Ahsan Malik were the joint leading wicket-takers in the ICC T20 World Cup 2014 with 12 wickets apiece. Tahir produced a best bowling effort of 4/21 against the Dutch while Malik made it to the top of the wicket-takers list as an associate bowler.

Malik scalped 5/19 versus South Africa but the Proteas eventually crashed out in the semi-finals, while the Netherlands could not go past the group stages. 

Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) | 2016

Off-spinner Mohammad Nabi produced great individual performances with the ball at the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 and topped the wicket-takers list with 12 scalps, one more than countrymate Rashid Khan. The veteran all-rounder took 12 wickets in the World Cup held in India. Nabi, who bowls off-spin, averaged 13.66 with the ball in seven games, while his economy rate read 6.07. He also took a four-fer. Though Afghanistan could not go beyond the group stages, Nabi’s bowling was a bright spark for Afghanistan in what was otherwise a disappointing campaign.

Also Read: Teams and Result of Every T20 World Cup Finals

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) | 2021

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga is the highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup with 16 wickets from eight matches in the 2021 edition held in Oman and United Arab Emirates. He averaged just 9.75 runs per wicket at a miserly economy of 5.20. Hasaranga picked up his best figures of 3/9 in three overs as the Lankans skittled out Netherlands for 44 in their first-round match in Sharjah. Throughout the World Cup Hasaranga proved to be a threat picking up a wicket every two overs for Sri Lanka.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) | 2022

Wanindu Hasaranga delivered an exceptional performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 held in Australia. Across 8 matches, he took 15 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.41, with his best bowling figures being 3 for 8. Despite his remarkable achievement as the highest wicket-taker in the 2022 edition, Sri Lanka’s campaign ended disappointingly as they failed to progress beyond the Super 12 stage, concluding their journey earlier than expected.