Well, picking up wickets in a high-stakes World Cup match is often hailed as one of the most decorated achievements for international bowlers as it can alter the course of an entire match and lead their team to the ultimate victory. The glorious history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which spans over decades, has witnessed numerous lethal bowlers, including Naveen-ul-Haq, Pat Cummins, Fazalhaq Farooqi and many others, who have dismantled the top batting lineups of numerous cricket teams in the world with their annihilating bowling spells.
A few of these legendary bowlers have also managed to claim an unbelievable count of wickets in a single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which continues to be the highest count as of September 2025. From action-packed bowling stints to spine-chilling dismissals, these trailblazing bowlers have undoubtedly given a never-ending streak of memorable moments to millions of cricket aficionados from all over the world.
In this article we will take a look at the top four international bowlers who have picked up the highest number of wickets in a single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition.
Top 4 Bowlers With Most Wickets in a Single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Edition
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Fazalhaq Farroqi, Afghanistan – 17 Wickets
The 24-year-old Afghan international cricketer Fazalhaq Farroqi is at the first spot in our list of the top four legendary bowlers who have claimed the maximum number of wickets in a single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition. The Afghan cricketing sensation Fazalhaq Farooqi made his star-studded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup debut in 2021 during the tournament held in the UAE and Oman.
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Fazalhaq Farroqi’s dominant bowling attack earned him a spot in Afghanistan’s team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where he created history and picked up a record total of seventeen wickets, which continues to be the highest number of wickets ever picked up by an international bowler in a single World Cup edition speaking volumes about his lethal bowling dominance on the field.
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Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka – 16 Wickets
At the second spot in our list of the top four international bowlers who have picked up the highest number of wickets in a single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition, we have the iconic Sri Lankan professional international cricketer, Wanindu Hasaranga, who is often widely regarded as one of the most lethal bowling all-rounders in the history of international cricket.
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Wanindu Hasaranga, who is popularly known for his annihilating hat-trick in the T20 World Cup during the 2021 edition of the tournament, created history at the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and picked up a total of sixteen wickets throughout the tournament, ranking him in second spot on our list.
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Ajantha Mendis, Sri Lanka – 15 Wickets
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four international bowlers who have picked up the highest number of wickets in a single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition, we have the iconic Sri Lankan former international cricketer Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslow Mendis popularly referred to as “Ajantha Mendis” in the world of professional cricket. Often also regarded as the “Mystery Spinner”, Ajantha Mendis breathed fire throughout the 2012 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he picked up a total of fifteen wickets for Sri Lanka and garnered immense praise and recognition from cricket aficionados from all over the world.
As of September 2025, Ajantha Mendis continues to be at the third spot in the list of top four international bowlers who have picked up maximum wickets in a single World Cup edition.
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Arshdeep Singh – 15 Wickets
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four international bowlers who have picked up the highest number of wickets in a single ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition, we have the sensational 26-year-old Indian international cricketer Arshdeep Singh, who was an integral member of the Indian team that clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup and was also the joint-highest wicket taker of the tournament.
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Additionally, Arshdeep was also a part of the Indian squads which clinched the 2025 Champions Trophy and 2018 U19 World Cup tournaments. Moreover, Arshdeep Singh’s lethal bowling attack was on full display throughout the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition, where he picked up a total of fifteen wickets and left the opponent teams absolutely stunned.
