Top 10 all-time bowlers in T20I cricket

Time and tide wait for none. The sporting fraternity has also grown leaps and bounds over the years. Cricket has been no different. As the needle of the clock continues to move persistently, the sport has also comfortably worn the blanket of change without any hesitance. From the five-day format of the game to the twenty over seal-the-deal marque style, cricket has witnessed robust evolution in the sporting arena. With T20 slam-bang cricket being the most celebrated format in today’s times, batsmen have been the show-stopper for the eternal fans. Eventually, one needs to be a world-class bowler in order to restrict the batsman’s hype. On that note, this article sheds light on the Top 10 T20 bowlers who can’t be ignored on the 22 yards. Shouldering the responsibility to cross the line of triumph for the team, these specialists in the department have been showered immense love and pride from the stands. Without any further ado, let us peek into the names of the stars in the cricket world: 10. Shadab Khan 769 points Shadab Khan. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS) Shadab holds a natural raw ability to take wickets while maintaining an excellent economy rate. He appears to be the most frequent of phenomena: an exciting Pakistani prospect. Bamboozling top-order batsmen on a regular basis, Shadab has become a permanent member of the Pakistani squad after his mesmerizing statistics suggestive of the athlete’s capacity. He has scalped 164 wickets in 136 matches showcasing his class with the ball in his hand. Shaping the future of Pakistani cricket, Shadab ticks all the boxes and can play the roles to perfection in the coming years. The 22-year-old is stationed at the 10th position with 769 points in the list of the best T20I bowler in the world. Without a shade of doubt, he must be focussing to raise his trajectory in the coming years. 9. Imad Wasim 780 points Imad Wasim. (Photo Source: Twitter) Another Pakistani talent like many aspiring players from the cricket freak country, he wanted to emulate Wasim Akram but he didn’t have the pace his coaches were looking for. Still, the switch to left-arm spin has worked for him. A capable middle-order batsman as well, he was part of the Pakistan side that won the Youth World Cup in 2006, before captaining them in the next edition. Weathering all storms Imad broke into the Pakistan cricket team in 2015. His grit and courage were recognised well and the spinner was thrown the hat of opportunity. He has featured in 195 matches and has caught 168 wickets making fans and experts drool over his exploits. His blood and sweat are palpable as he is placed 9th with 780 points in the heavyweight list of ostentatious bowlers. 8. Saeed Ajmal 788 points Saeed Ajmal. (Photo Source: Twitter) The right-arm off-break bowler dampened the spirits of the masterclass batsmen on the opposite end with his flighted deliveries. The Pakistani mojo artist had a wide array of bowling capacities under his sleeves giving him an edge against his counterparts. The Faisalabad-born swashbuckler sends a shiver down the batsman’s spine as he can execute his plans to perfection. Donning the T20 cap against Australia in 2009 for the first time, Saeed has proven his worth with inevitable rendition. He was no mug with the ball as the 43-year-old has very decorated statistics supporting his embellished career. In 195 outings for the green outfit, Ajmal notched 271 wickets with 4/14 as best figures to his credit. Thus, Saeed stands in the 8th position with 788 magnificent points. 7. Imran Tahir 795 points LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 30: Imran Tahir of South Africa. (Photo by Andy Kearns/Getty Images) The Lahore-born South African ace bowler is known for his heroics on the cricketing pitch. Defying all odds the stalwart donned the Proteas jersey with pride written all over his international stint. Debuting against Sri Lanka in 2013 in the T20 format, the vintage spinner has added oodles of jubilation to his name till now. Having played 38 matches, the talisman has grabbed 63 wickets with two five-wicket hauls under his belt. The leg-spinner decimator has caught seven fabulous catches that have turned the tables for the team. Known for his trademark long-run celebration, Imran has gotten another reason to showcase his happiness as he is spotted at the 7th position with 795 points in the elite club of professionals. 6. Shahid Afridi 814 points Shahid Afridi of Pakistan. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) The Pakistani inspiration has been a viewer’s delight ever since he debuted for the national team. The right-arm-leg spinner added teeth and muscle to the green outfit with his cricketing guile in the shortest format of the game. The wily-all rounder scalped 98 wickets in 100 odd matches in T20 cricket. Boasting the best bowling figures of 4/11, Afridi has upped the ante for the team with his mere presence. ‘Boom-boom’ was also a heavyweight when thrown a bat to his mighty hands. He amassed 1416 runs with four 50s runs under his belt. The retired legend will be known for his stellar contribution to our beloved game. Afridi, quite deservingly, finds his name at the 6th spot with 814 points in the list of best bowlers in the business. 5. Rashid Khan 816 points Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan celebrates. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) The Afghani spinner took the world by storm with his scrupulous bowling skills. The 22-year-old prodigy became a household name in his country after his jaw-dropping performance in the 2015 World Cup. Soon after, he became the first choice for every franchise all across the globe. Taking baptism by fire, Rashid Khan torpedoed big-names in world cricket with his excellent wristy prowess. He debuted against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in 2015. In 48 T20 matches, the Afghani icon has bagged 89 major breakthroughs at an incredible economy of 6.14. Not to everyone’s surprise, the budding talent finds his name etched as the fifth-best with 816 points bowling in the world. 4. Sunil Narine 817 points West Indies’ Sunil Narine celebrates taking the wicket of England’s David Willey. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) Another Caribbean cracker, who remains in the spotlight for his unorthodox bowling action, has written a phenomenal script with the ball in hand as far as cricketing life is concerned. Making the opposition bite dust, he has turned the tide in the team’s favour on several occasions. The Trinidad limited-overs superstar has picked 52 wickets in 51 outings with a stunning economy of 6.02. The cricketer made his remarkable debut against Australia at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in 2012. Narine has often landed in hot waters for his suspicious bowling action. However, nothing can take away the natural prowess which the dynamo rightly executes given a chance in the team. Finding his name in the 3rd position with 817 points in the star-studded list must not surprise the 32-year-old. 3. Daniel Vettori 850 points BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 04: Daniel Vettori. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images) The New Zealand-based all-rounder is known for his nonchalant persona on and off the field. The southpaw has played a massive role in the middle overs for the Black Caps. Expressing the rage with his spectacular wristy prowess, it goes without saying that Vettori mastered the art of bluffing the batsman at the opposite end. The orthodox spinner wreaked havoc ever since he debuted against Kenya back in 2007. Appearing for 143 matches, Daniel plucked 131 scalps at an impressive economy of 6.34. The veteran champion has contributed 1041 runs with the bat making his statement as far as the cricketing field is concerned. The iconic match-winner has been duly rewarded for his extraordinary contribution to the bat and ball contest. Featuring third in the rankings with 850 points, Vettori proved his mettle over a long period of time before hanging his boots in 2015. 2. Samuel Badree 855 points Samuel Badree. (Photo by Ashley Allen – CPL T20 via Getty Images) The West Indies spin-king was rewarded for his spectacular rendition in domestic cricket. Samuel broke into the national side in 2012 for the T20 series against New Zealand. The right-arm leg-spinner was known for his baffling googlies which kept the batsmen in dilemma till the ball edge past their willow. The tweaker has a wide array of nukes in his bowling armour. His skills were well-recognized by franchise cricket all around the world. The match-winner donned the Caribbean jersey with profound pride for 52 matches. Plucking 56 wickets, the Trinidad-born cricketer holds extravagant bowling figures of 4/15. The 77 Number jersey spearheaded the spin-department for the West Indies. Hence, he justifies his second position in the ICC Rankings of T20 bowlers with 855 points. 1. Umar Gul 857 points Umar Gul. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images) The Pakistani speedster has etched his name as the finest T20I bowlers ever to don the national jersey in the world of cricket. Representing the green outfit for over a decade, the right-handed medium fast-bowler has bailed his team out numerous times with his sheer cricketing wits and intelligence. Talking about Gul’s achievements, the Peshawar-born cricketer finished as the leading wicket-taker in both the 2007 and 2009 T20 World Cup. Moreover, his efforts helped the Men in Green to clinch the coveted silverware in the second T20 World Cup held in England. He scalped 85 crucial wickets in 60 matches with a majestic best bowling figures of 5/6. Eventually, the vital cog in Pakistan’s bowling machinery added another feather in his illustrious cap by signing a swanky deal with Kolkata Knight Riders back in 2008. Of late, Umar Gul drew the curtains on his playing career with a plethora of wishes and praises from his evergreen fans for his brilliant journey. He bags the numero uno spot with 857 points in the world’s best bowler’s list.

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