ICC Men’s T20 World Cup It has always been a battleground where the story of batsman dominance comes to an end. While the shortest format is often celebrated for its sky-scraping sixes and lightning-quick centuries, the history of the tournament proves that it is the bowlers who really decide the destination of the trophy. from swing-friendly conditions of South Africa From the slow, turning pitches of the Caribbean in 2007 to the slow, turning pitches of the Caribbean in 2024, leading wicket-takers have consistently been the tactical pivot for their teams.
As we stand on the cusp of the 10th edition in 2026, which will be hosted India And Sri LankaThe legacy of these record holders offers a fascinating roadmap of how T20 bowling has evolved from raw pace to mystery spin and ultimately to the era of highly skilled left-handers.
Leading wicket-taker in each edition of the T20 World Cup
The history of the T20 World Cup is a history of bowling innovation. Below is a detailed breakdown of the masters that have topped the chart in each edition to date.
2007 T20 World Cup – Umar Gul (Pakistan)
The inaugural edition in South Africa was the stage where Omar Gul Mastered the art of the death over yorker. He was the leader of Pakistan’s journey to the final with 13 wickets. Gul’s campaign was defined by his incredible ability to reverse the ball, particularly against new zealand in the semi-finals, where his 3/15 earned him the Player of the Match award. Despite his heroics, which included three wickets in the final IndiaGul was the runner up. He ended with an average of 11.92 and a tremendous economy of 5.60.
2009 T20 World Cup – Umar Gul (Pakistan)
Creating history, Gul became the first and only bowler to lead the wicket-taking charts in consecutive editions. In 2009, he again took 13 wickets, but this time he walked away with the trophy. His career-best scores of 5/6 against New Zealand at the Oval remain one of the most iconic spells in the history of the tournament. Gul’s relentless accuracy ensured Pakistan’s dominance as he led a group Ajanta Mendis And Lasith Malinga.
2010 T20 World Cup – Dirk Nannes (Australia)
As the tournament moved to the Caribbean, Australia‘S Dirk Nannes Brought forward the rapid pace. Nannes took 14 wickets at an average of 13.07. His ability to extract bounce on West Indies pitches made him a nightmare for the top order, especially against Pakistan and India. However, he did not get any wickets in the final and Australia lost. EnglandNannes’ performance remains a high mark for Australian fast bowling in the T20 World Cup.
2012 T20 World Cup – Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)
The mystery of the 2012 edition was related to Ajanta Mendis. Playing on home soil, Mendis demolished the batting lineup by taking 15 wickets. He started the tournament with a world-record score of 6/8 zimbabweA record that stood for seven years. In the final, he was almost untouchable, taking 4/12 against the powerhouse West Indies lineup, although West Indies ultimately snatched the title.
2014 T20 World Cup – Imran Tahir (South Africa) and Ahsan Malik (Netherlands)
in 2014 edition bangladesh Saw a rare tie at the top, with both Imran Tahir And Ahsan Malik Took 12 wickets. Tahir was the heartbeat of the Proteas spin attack, while Malik became the face of Associate Nations excellence. Malik’s 5/19 against South Africa was a historic performance, highlighting the closing gap between the established giants and emerging teams.
2016 T20 World Cup – Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)
This tournament marked Afghanistan’s arrival as a global bowling powerhouse. mohammed nabi He topped the list by taking 12 wickets, surpassing his teammate. Rashid Khan. Nabi’s seasoned intelligence was on full display in the Super 10, where his calm final over against West Indies (eventual champions) secured a historic win for Afghanistan.
2021 T20 World Cup- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
Wanindu Hasaranga Redefined the role of the modern leg spinner in the UAE, taking 16 wickets in just 8 matches. His campaign included a hat-trick against South Africa and an impressive 3/21 against England. Hasaranga’s economy of 5.20 and average of 9.75 displayed a level of dominance rarely seen in the format.
2022 T20 World Cup- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
Proving that his 2021 performance was no fluke, Hasaranga tops the charts again in Australia 15 wickets. His clever variations also worked on the big Australian grounds, making him the only spinner to equal Umar Gul’s record of leading back-to-back tournaments.
2024 T20 World Cup – Fazalhaq Farooqui (Afghanistan) and Arshdeep Singh (India)
The most recent edition saw a new benchmark set in the United States and the Caribbean. from afghanistan Fazalhaq Farooqui and India’s Arshdeep Singh Each shared the honors with 17 wickets, the most in a single edition. Faruqui’s 5/9 against Uganda and Arshdeep’s match-winning 2/20 in the final against South Africa proved that left-arm pace is the most lethal weapon in T20 cricket currently.
Also read: From Virat Kohli to Babar Azam: Leading run-scorers in each edition of T20 World Cup
Who will lead the numbers game in 2026?
With the 2026 T20 World Cup being held in India and Sri Lanka, the conditions in the subcontinent will undoubtedly favor spin-heavy attacks and change-pace masters. Rashid remains a perennial favourite; His unmatched experience and recent form make him a prime candidate to reclaim the top spot. However, the emergence of Varun ChakrabortyCurrently the top-ranked T20 bowler in the world, suggestions suggest he could be India’s biggest weapon on home soil.
Don’t overlook the defending champions’ fast pairing; Arshdeep Singh Has a habit of coming out on top in ICC events Jasprit Bumrah Remains the gold standard for economics and successes. from sri lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga Will be looking for the title of third highest wickets in front of their home crowd. On these turning tracks, the battle for the most wickets will likely be a high-stakes chess match between elite wrist spinners and crafty left-arm seamers.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: Full squads of all teams with their captains