Every cricket fan enjoys the sight when a pacer sends the wickets flying into the orbit or when the spinner delivers a mystery delivery to bamboozle the batsman. As the T20 fiesta is just around the corner, let’s have a look at the best bowling figures in World T20 Cup.
5. A. Zampa
Nationality: Australia
Bowling Stats: 4-0-19-5
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
In the 7th edition of World T20 Cup, Zampa picked up a 5-wicket haul against Bangladesh. He became the first Aussie player to achieve this feat in the history of the tournament. Credit to his brilliant performance, Bangladesh were dismissed for a timid total of 73 which Australia chased down easily in 6.2 overs.
The 82-ball Australian win became the biggest victory in T20I cricket in terms of balls remaining. The victory also helped Australia to improve their NRR and moved them to second spot in the race to qualify for the semi-final.
4. A. Malik
Nationality: Netherlands
Bowling Stats: 4-0-19-5
Venue: Z.A.C. Stadium, Chittagong
In the 2014 World T20 Cup, A. Malik claimed his first fifer in T20 cricket against the heavyweights South Africa. Malik became the first cricketer from an Associate nation to pick a 5-wicket haul against a Test playing nation in T20I cricket. On the back of Malik’s impressive bowling, the Dutch restricted the Proteas to 145/9. Netherlands tried to chase the total against an accomplished Protean bowling attack but just fell 6 runs short of the target.
3. U. Gul
Team: Pakistan
Bowling Stats: 3-0-6-5
Venue: The Oval, London
Pakistani pacer U. Gul became the first bowler to claim 5-wickets in a World T20 Cup match. In the Group F match between Pakistan and New Zealand, Gul completely crushed the Kiwi middle order and halted them to a meagre total of 99. During his destructive spell, Gul was on a hattrick on two separate occasions but failed to capitalise on it. In this crucial do-or-die match, Pakistan registered a 6-wicket victory and further went on to win their first World T20 Cup.
2. R. Herath
Team: Sri Lanka
Bowling Stats: 3.3-2-3-5
Venue: Z.A.C. Stadium, Chittagong
In the 30th match of 2014 World T20 Cup, Herath produced one of the most complete bowling performance against New Zealand in T20 cricket. After a disappointing batting performance from the Lankan batters, the onus was on bowlers to defend the modest total of 119. Herath took advantage of the slow track of Hambantota as Kiwi batters fell like a pack of cards. Till date the spell bowled by Herath is the most economical spell in the history of World T20 Cup.
1. A. Mendis
Team: Sri Lanka
Bowling Stats: 4-2-8-6
Venue: Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota
In the opening match of 2012 World T20 Cup, Mendis gave an emphatic start to the Lankan Lions in front of the home crowd. Mendis sent 6 Chevron batters into the pavilion and became the first bowler to pick up 6 wickets in a World T20 Cup match. The variations of Mendis were in full flow on humid night on the Lanka south coast and left the spectators mesmerised.
After this performance, Mendis became the 1st bowler to take 6 wickets in T20I matches for the second time. He also became the 2nd bowler after S. Tait to bowl 2 maiden overs in a 4-over spell.
These were some of the best bowling performances in the history of the World T20 Cup. Let’s hope bowlers can produce exquisite bowling spells in the upcoming World T20 Cup. As the qualifier stage of the tournament begins from 16th October, join MyTeam11 and create fantasy teams to enjoy big winnings. So what are you waiting for! Start Playing, Start Winning.
