The T20 World Cup is a global cricketing extravaganza that showcases the best talent in the world. While batsmen often steal the limelight with their explosive performances, bowlers play an equally crucial role in determining the outcome of matches.
Best Performances by Bowlers in T20 World Cup History
1. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 2007 T20 World Cup Final
Lasith Malinga’s performance in the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup against Australia was nothing short of extraordinary. The Sri Lankan pacer picked up four wickets for 12 runs in his four overs, helping his team restrict Australia to a below-par total. Malinga’s ability to extract bounce and seam movement, even on flat pitches, made him a constant threat to the Australian batsmen. His performance was crucial in Sri Lanka’s victory, earning him the Man of the Match award.
2. Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) – 2009 T20 World Cup
Saeed Ajmal’s off-spin bowling was a revelation in the 2009 T20 World Cup. The Pakistani spinner picked up 11 wickets in six matches, including a four-wicket haul against England in the semi-finals. Ajmal’s ability to deceive batsmen with his variations and his knack for bowling crucial overs made him a nightmare for opposition teams. His performances were instrumental in Pakistan’s run to the final, where they were narrowly defeated by England.
3. Sunil Narine (West Indies) – 2012 T20 World Cup
Sunil Narine’s mystery spin bowling was a key factor in West Indies’ victory in the 2012 T20 World Cup. The Caribbean spinner picked up 12 wickets in seven matches, including a four-wicket haul against Australia in the semi-finals. Narine’s ability to deceive batsmen with his variations and his knack for bowling crucial overs made him a nightmare for opposition teams. His performances were crucial in West Indies’ run to the title, where they defeated Sri Lanka in the final.
4. Samuel Badree (West Indies) – 2016 T20 World Cup
Samuel Badree’s leg-spin bowling was a revelation in the 2016 T20 World Cup. The West Indian spinner picked up nine wickets in seven matches, including a four-wicket haul against England in the group stage. Badree’s ability to control the pace of his deliveries and his knack for bowling crucial overs made him a nightmare for opposition teams. His performances were crucial in West Indies’ run to the semi-finals, where they were narrowly defeated by England.
5. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 2021 T20 World Cup
Rashid Khan’s leg-spin bowling has become a force to be reckoned with in T20 cricket. The Afghan spinner’s ability to extract turn from any surface, coupled with his lightning-quick delivery, makes him a nightmare for batsmen to face. Khan’s performances in the 2021 T20 World Cup were particularly impressive, as he picked up 11 wickets in seven matches, including a four-wicket haul against Namibia. His performances were crucial in Afghanistan’s run to the semi-finals, where they were narrowly defeated by New Zealand.
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