Over the past ten years, batsmen have mostly controlled cricket matches, using strong bats and shorter boundaries. But sometimes, bowlers have also done well.
Fazalhaq Farooqi’s impressive performance against Uganda in the T20 World Cup 2024 highlights some of the best bowling in the tournament’s history.
Let’s review the top five bowling performances in the T20 World Cups since 2007.
5. Sam Curran – 5/10 vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup 2022
In the T20 World Cup 2022 match, Afghanistan started well in the first 10 overs with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 32 runs and Usman Ghani adding 30. But then, Sam Curran bowled exceptionally well, taking 5 wickets for just 10 runs, which helped England dismiss Afghanistan for 112 runs. Ben Stokes and Mark Wood also took two wickets each.
In response, England chased down the target in less than 19 overs, with Liam Livingstone scoring 29 not out, playing the most important innings.
ALSO READ: IND-W vs SA-W Test Match Preview, Dream11 Tips, Pitch Report, and Match Details
4. Fazalhaq Farooqi – 5/9 vs Uganda, T20 World Cup 2024
On June 3, Afghanistan played against Uganda in Guyana. Afghanistan’s opening batsmen, Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 76 runs and Ibrahim Zadran scored 70 runs, helping Afghanistan reach a high score of 183 runs. Cosmas Kyewuta and Brian Masaba from Uganda each took two wickets.
In Uganda’s first over, they lost two important wickets to Fazalhaq Farooqi, putting them in a difficult situation. Only two Uganda players scored more than ten runs, and their team was all out for 58 runs. Farooqi finished with excellent bowling figures of 5 wickets for 9 runs in four overs.
3. Umar Gul – 5/6 vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2009
Umar Gul, a fast bowler, bowled incredibly well in the T20 World Cup 2009 match against New Zealand at the Oval. He took five wickets while giving away only six runs in three overs.
He started bowling in the 13th over when New Zealand was struggling at 72 for 4 wickets. Gul’s crucial wickets included Scott Styris, Nathan McCullum, James Franklin, and the other lower-order batsmen, getting New Zealand all out for just 99 runs.
Pakistan’s response was strong. Shahzaib Hasan scored 35 runs, and Shahid Afridi remained unbeaten with 29 runs, guiding Pakistan to victory in less than 14 overs.
ALSO READ: IND vs ENG 2nd Semi Final Match Preview, Dream11 Tips, Pitch Report, and Match Details
2. Rangana Herath – 5/3 vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2014
In the T20 World Cup 2014 match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, spinner Rangana Herath bowled exceptionally well, taking 5 wickets for just 3 runs in 3.3 overs. Sri Lanka batted first but only managed to score 119 runs, with Mahela Jayawardene top-scoring with 25 runs. New Zealand’s bowlers Trent Boult and James Neesham also performed well, taking three wickets each.
Despite Kane Williamson scoring 42 runs for New Zealand, the rest of their team struggled against Rangana Herath’s superb bowling. Five New Zealand batsmen were out without scoring any runs, and the team was all out for just 60 runs, losing the match by 59 runs.
1. Ajantha Mendis – 6/8 vs vs Zimbabwe, T20 World Cup 2012
In the first game of the T20 World Cup 2012, Sri Lanka played against Zimbabwe. Kumar Sangakkara scored 44 runs and Jeevan Mendis scored an unbeaten 43 runs, helping Sri Lanka reach a total of 182 runs.
In response, Zimbabwe started well with Hamilton Masakadza scoring 20 runs and Vusi Sibanda adding 11 runs, but both were dismissed by Ajantha Mendis. The skilled spinner continued his excellent performance, taking 6 wickets for just 8 runs in four overs. Jeevan Mendis also took three wickets, causing more trouble for Zimbabwe, who were eventually all-out for 100 runs.
ALSO CHECK:
