Stats: Most wickets in T20 Internationals

Saeed Ajmal’s consistency is remarkable, to say the least!

Here is the list of bowlers with the most wickets in T20 Internationals. This list clearly shows us that Pakistanis have dominated in the T20 format, since their prime bowlers have taken the top three spots, whereas the Lankan pair of Mendis and Malinga round off the top 5.

Player

Wickets

Saeed Ajmal (PAK)

Umar Gul (PAK)

Shahid Afridi (PAK)

Lasith Malinga (SL)

Ajantha Mendis (SL)

1. Saeed Ajmal (85 wickets)

With four 4 wicket hauls and 85 wickets, the Pakistani magician is on top of the list. His economy of 6.34 is also the best among the top 5. Batsmen all over the world have found him tough to handle, especially those doosras which sometimes they don’t even read off his hand.

2. Umar Gul (80 wickets)

Another Pakistani bowler with an excellent T20 record. Umar Gul has fast grown in to a limited overs specialist and most of the time, he gets it dead right while bowling at the block hole. He also uses other variations in the shorter formats which make it tough for the batsmen. He is at number two with 80 wickets.

3. Shahid Afridi (77 wickets)

Not just the bat, lala delivers with the ball too in this format. His leg breaks at times turn a mile and all off a sudden he sends in a quicker one at almost 120 kmph. He has an economy of 6.48 which is very very impressive in this format and has picked up 77 wickets so far.

4. Lasith Malinga (68 wickets)

He leads the tally in all T20 cricket around the world and is easily the most sought after seamer in this format. With an economy of 7.25 and 68 wickets Malinga has delivered most of the time for the Sri Lankans and one of their vital cogs during the 2014 ICC WT20 campaign.

5. Ajantha Mendis (66 wickets)

Sri Lanka love unleashing him against opponents who haven’t played him much. That average of 14.42 is just staggering to say the least. He is the only bowler to have picked 6 wickets in a T20 international and he has done it twice. One was against Zimbabwe and the other against Australia. He also has the best strike rate among the top 5.

Note: Stats are updated till 22nd May, 2014.