T20 World Cup: Who has taken most wickets for SL?
The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup went underway on June 1. The West Indies and the USA will co-host the marquee competition. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are among the dark horses of the event. In addition to their title win in 2024, the Lankans have been two-time runners-up across eight past editions. Here are the Lankan bowlers with the most T20 WC wickets.
Angelo Mathews - 19 wickets
Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has been a key figure in SL's all-format teams for over a decade. Primarily known for his batting brilliance, Mathews has also made a significant mark with his medium-pace bowling. Having played 29 T20 WC matches, he has claimed 19 wickets at a tremendous economy of 6.47. He has tallied 459 runs in the competition at 38.25.
Wanindu Hasaranga - 31 wickets
Spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga has been a menace in T20 WCs as he has scalped 31 scalps across 16 fixtures. His average (11.45) and economy rate (5.81) are the best among bowlers with at least 25 wickets at the event. The leg-spinner was also the highest wicket-taker of the past two T20 WC editions (16 in 2021 and 15 in 2022).
Ajantha Mendis: 35 wickets
Mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis jeopardized the greatest batters in the late 2000s. He was simply unplayable when on song. The Lankan bowler finished his T20 WC career with 35 wickets across 21 games at a fine economy of 6.70. He is also the only bowler with a six-wicket haul at the event. Mendis claimed 6/8 against Zimbabwe in 2012.
Lasith Malinga: 38 wickets
Former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga owns 38 across 31 matches in the tournament at an economy rate of 7.43. The tally includes a fifer as well. Malinga, who grabbed eyeballs for his slingy action, also holds the record for taking the most wickets in the T20 WC in winning cause (32). He was instrumental to SL's title triumph in the 2014 edition.
