4 players with 500-plus T20 wickets ft. Rashid Khan
While T20 cricket is considered primarily a batter's game, several bowlers have also excelled in the format, proving that true class always shines, irrespective of the format. Because batters are forced to go after the bowling right from the word go in T20s, smart bowlers have found a way to outfox them and pick wickets.
Following the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a plethora of T20 franchise leagues have sprung up across the globe. Australia hosts the Big Bash League (BBL), South Africa has SA20, Pakistan has the Pakistan Premier League (PSL), while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also have their respective T20 leagues.
Many leading bowlers from various nations feature in multiple franchise tournaments and have an impressive record in the T20 format. On that note, let's take a look at four bowlers who have claimed 500-plus wickets in the format.
#4 Imran Tahir (508)
Veteran South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has played 408 T20 matches in which he has claimed 508 wickets at an average of 19.93 and an economy rate of 6.98, with 10 four-fers and four five-fers.
Tahir's best of 5-23 was registered while representing South Africa against Zimbabwe in East London in October 2018. He claimed two wickets off consecutive balls twice in the game as South Africa won the contest by 34 runs. The 45-year-old also picked up 5-24 against New Zealand in Auckland in February 2017. Courtesy of Tahir's five-fer, the Proteas won the game by 78 runs.
The seasoned leg-spinner has claimed a five-wicket haul in the BPL and has one in The Hundred as well. Tahir has picked up 97 scalps in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), 102 in the Vitality Blast and 82 in the IPL.
#3 Sunil Narine (561)
Experienced West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine is third on the list of bowlers with the most wickets in T20 cricket. In 521 matches, he has picked up 561 wickets at an average of 21.50 and an economy rate of 6.13, with 12 four-fers and one five-fer.
Narine's best of 5-19 came in the IPL while representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in April 2012. The spinner dismissed Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh before running through the Punjab tail, but Kolkata still lost the close contest by two runs.
The 36-year-old has picked up seven four-fers in the IPL and two in the Champions League T20 competition. Narine has 180 scalps to his name from 177 matches in the IPL and 115 from 108 games in the CPL.
#2 Rashid Khan (613)
Afghanistan's canny leg-spinner Rashid Khan is currently out of action due to an injury. When fit, he is among the most dangerous bowlers in the world, especially in the 20-over format. His record speaks for itself. In 448 T20 matches, Rashid has claimed 613 wickets at an average of 18.15 and an economy rate of 6.48, with 15 four-fers and four five-fers.
The Afghanistan spinner's best T20 analysis of 6-17 was registered in the Big Bash League. Representing Adelaide Strikers against Brisbane Heat, he ran through the opposition batting. Chasing 162, Heat were bundled out for 90 in 15 overs. Rashid also produced splendid figures of 5-3 while representing Afghanistan against Ireland in Greater Noida in March 2017.
The 25-year-old has picked up 149 wickets from 121 matches in the IPL, 98 from 69 games in the BBL, and 44 from 28 games in the PSL. For Afghanistan, he has claimed 152 wickets in 93 matches at an excellent average of 14.13.
#1 Dwayne Bravo (630)
Former West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo tops the list of bowlers who have picked up the most wickets in the T20 format. In 448 matches, the right-arm pacer has taken 630 scalps at an average of 24.31 and an economy rate of 8.25, with 11 four-fers and two five-fers.
Bravo's best of 5-23 came while representing Trinbago Knight Riders against Jamaica Tallawahs in the first semifinal of the 2015 CPL. Courtesy of his bowling heroics, Trinbago Knight Riders won the knockout match by 27 runs. Bravo also has a five-fer to his name in the Big Bash League.
The 40-year-old is among the leading wicket-takers in the IPL. He ended his career in the tournament with 183 scalps from 161 matches. The right-arm pacer also has 128 wickets in 104 CPL games and 62 wickets in 42 BPL matches.