Stats: Highest wicket takers in T20 cricket

Lasith Malinga is the undisputed king of bowlers in T20.

A list of highest wicket takers in T20 cricket is given below. Lasith Malinga as expected stands on top of that list.

Player	Matches	Wickets	Bowling Average	Economy rate	Best bowling    figures
Lasith Malinga	191	257	17.86	6.60	6/7
Alphonso Thomas	201	235	21.38	7.35	5/24
Azhar Mahmood	197	224	23.22	7.58	5/24
Dirk Nannes	189	222	22.24	7.22	5/40
Yasir Arafat	171	219	20.98	7.87	4/5

1. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

The most feared limited overs bowler at the moment in the world is Lasith Malinga. And it’s no surprise that he is on top of the wicket takers list in T20 cricket. Apart from Sri Lanka, Mumbai Indians are the other team to have benefited the most because of him. He is the only bowler in the top 5 list to have an economy under 7.

2. Alphonso Thomas (South Africa)

The South African veteran is a master in this format. Has bowled so many crucial spells for Somerset over the years. His slower balls are very hard to pick and that explains why he is at number 2 in the list.

3. Azhar Mahmood (Pakistan)

Ever since he was neglected by Pakistan, Mahmood started to ply his trade all over the world in different t20 leagues and has been very successful with both bat and ball. A natural swinger of the ball, he is also a dangerous reverse swing exponent.

4. Dirk Nannes (Australia)

Like wine, he got better with age. Bowls around that 140 mark at an awkward line and length for the batsman. He has played for both Australia and Netherlands and is 4th on the list of highest wicket takers in T20 Cricket.

5. Yasir Arafat (Pakistan)

Arafat has always found it hard to stake a permanent place in the Pakistani side, but in the mean time, he has also traveled all over the world playing t20′s. He hasn’t picked a five wicket haul yet, but has already picked 8 four wicket hauls. Among the top 5 wicket takers, his strike rate of 15.9 is the best.

 

*Stats updated till 16 May 2014.