High-paced and high-skilled, Twenty20ย cricket is the fastest form of the game.

And since 2017, the world's brightest short-form stars have shone brightly on the global stage, competing for the right to be called T20 World Cup champions.

But which of these superstars has taken the most wickets in tournament history?

From a set of devastating Sri Lankans to a Bangladeshi spinner-turned-politician, ahead of the 2024 tournament, here are the top-five wicket-takers in T20 World Cup history.

Player Team Wickets Matches Average
Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh 47 36 18.63
Shadid Afridi Pakistan 39 34 23.25
Lasith Malinga Sri Lanka 38 31 20.07
Saeed Ajmal Pakistan 36 23 16.86
Ajantha Mendis Sri Lanka 35 21 15.02
Umar Gul Pakistan 35 24 17.25