Being among the highest wicket-takers in tournaments as prestigious as the Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup is a monumental achievement. Some of the most legendary bowlers constitute the list of highest wicket taker in World Cup.
In the ODI World Cup, Glenn McGrath stands tall as the highest wicket-taker with 71 dismissals, setting a benchmark with his precision and consistency over four editions. In the T20 World Cup, the record is held by Shakib Al Hasan, whose 50 scalps exemplify his mastery in the shortest format.
Take a look at a list of bowlers with most wickets in ODI World Cup as well as the T20 World Cup.
List of 12 Bowlers with Most Wickets in ODI World Cup
| Player | Span | Mat | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR |
| Glenn McGrath | 1996-2007 | 39 | 42 | 1292 | 71 | 7/15 | 18.19 | 3.96 | 27.53 |
| Murali Muralidaran | 1996-2011 | 40 | 15 | 1335 | 68 | 4/19 | 19.63 | 3.88 | 30.30 |
| Mitchell Starc | 2015-2023 | 28 | 10 | 1254 | 65 | 6/28 | 19.29 | 5.15 | 22.44 |
| Lasith Malinga | 2007-2019 | 29 | 11 | 1281 | 56 | 6/38 | 22.87 | 5.51 | 24.89 |
| Mohammed Shami | 2015-2023 | 18 | 13 | 744 | 55 | 7/57 | 13.52 | 5.13 | 15.81 |
| Wasim Akram | 1987-2003 | 38 | 16 | 1311 | 55 | 5/28 | 23.83 | 4.04 | 35.40 |
| Trent Boult | 2015-2023 | 29 | 24 | 1354 | 53 | 5/27 | 25.54 | 4.92 | 31.13 |
| Chaminda Vaas | 1996-2007 | 31 | 39 | 1040 | 49 | 6/25 | 21.22 | 3.97 | 32.04 |
| Zaheer Khan | 2003-2011 | 23 | 12 | 890 | 44 | 4/42 | 20.22 | 4.47 | 27.11 |
| Javagal Srinath | 1992-2003 | 34 | 21 | 1224 | 44 | 4/30 | 27.81 | 4.32 | 38.63 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 2007-2023 | 36 | 3 | 1551 | 43 | 5/29 | 36.06 | 5.14 | 42.04 |
| Tim Southee | 2011-2023 | 22 | 16 | 1110 | 41 | 7/33 | 27.07 | 5.68 | 28.58 |
1. Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath, the Australian pace legend, stands at the top with 71 wickets in ODI World Cups. His career spanned from 1996 to 2007, encompassing 39 matches. McGrath’s best bowling figures of 7/15 against Namibia in 2003 remain iconic. He maintained an impressive average of 18.19 and an economy rate of 3.96.
Read More: Top 10 Batters with Most Runs in a Calendar Year in ODI Cricket
2. Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lankan wizard Muttiah Muralitharan is second, claiming 68 wickets across five World Cups from 1996 to 2011. Known for his extraordinary spin, Murali’s best performance came against Ireland in 2007 with figures of 4/19. His average of 19.63 and economy rate of 3.88 reflect his potency and thriftiness as a bowler.
3. Mitchell Starc
Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has taken 65 wickets in World Cups, playing from 2015 to 2023. Starc’s aggressive pace and ability to swing the ball made him a formidable opponent. His 6/28 against New Zealand in 2015 was a match-winning spell. Starc boasts a remarkable bowling average of 19.29 and a strike rate of 22.44.
4. Lasith Malinga
Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga amassed 56 wickets from 2007 to 2019. Malinga’s best World Cup performance was 6/38 against Kenya in 2011. His strike rate of 24.89 and economy rate of 5.51 underline his effectiveness, especially in death overs.
5. Mohammed Shami
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, with 55 wickets from 2015 to 2023, has been a key player in India’s World Cup campaigns. Shami’s best figures are 7/57 against England in 2023. His bowling average of 13.52 and a strike rate of 15.81 are among the best in World Cup history.
Suggested Read: Top 10 Fastest Players to Score 5000 Runs in ODI
6. Wasim Akram
Pakistani legend Wasim Akram, one of the finest left-arm bowlers in cricket history, took 55 wickets from 1987 to 2003. Akram’s best World Cup figures of 5/28 against Namibia in 2003. His average of 23.83 and economy rate of 4.04 is equally impressive.
7. Trent Boult
New Zealand’s Trent Boult has secured 53 wickets from 2015 to 2023. Boult’s ability to move the ball both ways makes him a challenging bowler. His best performance was 5/27 against Australia in 2015. Boult’s average in World Cups is 25.54 and economy rate is 4.92.
8. Chaminda Vaas
Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas, with 49 wickets from 1996 to 2007, was known for his accurate bowling. Vaas’s best World Cup figures of 6/25 came against Bangladesh in 2003. He recorded an average of 21.22 and economy rate of 3.97.
Suggested Read: Top 10 Players Who Scored Highest Sixes in ODI Cricket
9. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan took 44 wickets from 2003 to 2011. Zaheer’s best figures are 4/42 against New Zealand in 2003. Across the World Cup games he played, Zaheer registered an average of 20.22 and economy rate of 4.47.
10. Javagal Srinath
Indian pacer Javagal Srinath, with 44 wickets from 1992 to 2003, was a mainstay in India’s bowling attack. Srinath’s best performance of 4/30 against Sri Lanka in 2003. His average of 27.81 and economy rate of 4.32 reflect his consistent contributions.
11. Shakib Al Hasan
Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has claimed 43 wickets in 36 matches spanning from 2007 to 2023. Known for his left-arm spin, Shakib’s best bowling figures of 5/29 came against Afghanistan in 2019. His bowling average of 36.06 and economy rate of 5.14 reflect his role as a key bowler for Bangladesh in World Cup campaigns.
12. Tim Southee
New Zealand’s Tim Southee has taken 41 wickets in 22 matches from 2011 to 2023. Southee’s ability to swing the ball and his aggressive pace have made him a vital component of New Zealand’s bowling attack. His best figures of 7/33 came against England in 2015, and he has an average of 27.07 and an economy rate of 5.68.
Suggested Read: Top 10 Bowlers with Fastest 100 ODI Wickets
List of 12 Bowlers with Most Wickets in T20 World Cup
| Player | Span | Mat | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 2007-2024 | 42 | 50 | 4/9 | 19.74 | 6.92 | 17.10 |
| Shahid Afridi | 2007-2016 | 34 | 39 | 4/11 | 23.25 | 6.71 | 20.76 |
| SL Malinga | 2007-2014 | 31 | 38 | 5/31 | 20.07 | 7.43 | 16.21 |
| PW Hasaranga | 2021-2024 | 19 | 37 | 3/8 | 11.72 | 6.00 | 11.72 |
| A Zampa | 2016-2024 | 20 | 36 | 5/19 | 12.55 | 6.10 | 12.33 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 2009-2014 | 23 | 36 | 4/19 | 16.86 | 6.79 | 14.88 |
| TG Southee | 2010-2024 | 25 | 36 | 3/4 | 17.91 | 6.99 | 15.36 |
| BAW Mendis | 2009-2014 | 21 | 35 | 6/8 | 15.02 | 6.70 | 13.45 |
| Umar Gul | 2007-2014 | 24 | 35 | 5/6 | 17.25 | 7.30 | 14.17 |
| TA Boult | 2014-2024 | 18 | 34 | 4/13 | 12.50 | 5.93 | 12.64 |
| Rashid Khan | 2016-2024 | 21 | 33 | 4/9 | 15.75 | 6.31 | 14.96 |
| R Ashwin | 2012-2022 | 24 | 32 | 4/11 | 17.25 | 6.49 | 15.93 |
1. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is the highest wicket taker in World Cup in history in the T20I format with 50 wickets from 42 matches played between 2007 and 2024. Shakib’s left-arm spin has been pivotal for Bangladesh, evident from his best figures of 4/9 against the Netherlands in 2014. His bowling average of 19.74 and economy rate of 6.92 highlight his ability to control the game in the shortest format.
2. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi captured 39 wickets in 34 matches from 2007 to 2016, thus occupying the second spot on list of World Cup highest wicket taker. Known for his leg-spin and explosive batting, Afridi’s best bowling figures of 4/11 came against Netherlands in 2009. His bowling average was 23.25 and economy rate was 6.71.
Suggested Read: List of Most Sixes in ODI and T20 World Cup
3. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga took 38 wickets in 31 matches from 2007 to 2014. Malinga’s ability to deliver lethal yorkers earned him the best figures of 5/31 against England in 2012. He maintained an average of 20.07 and economy rate of 7.43.
4. Wanindu Hasaranga
Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has swiftly risen in T20I World Cups, claiming 37 wickets in just 19 matches since 2021. Hasaranga’s best figures of 3/8 came against the Netherlands in 2021. He has a bowling average of 11.72 and ab economy rate of 6.00.
5. Adam Zampa
Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa has scalped 36 wickets in 20 matches from 2016 to 2024. Zampa’s best performance of 5/19 came against India in 2020. His average of 12.55 and economy rate of 6.10 demonstrate his effectiveness in providing breakthroughs.
6. Saeed Ajmal
Saeed Ajmal claimed 36 wickets in 23 matches from 2009 to 2014. Ajmal’s best figures of 4/19 came against Australia in 2010. He finished his T20 World Cup career with an average of 16.86 and economy rate of 6.79.
Suggested Read: Highest Run Chase in T20 Cricket History
7. Tim Southee
Tim Southee has taken 36 wickets in 25 matches from 2010 to 2024. Southee’s ability to swing the ball and his accurate bowling earned him best figures of 3/4 against Pakistan in 2010. His average of 17.91 and economy rate of 6.99 highlight his value as a key bowler in New Zealand’s T20I campaigns.
8. Ajantha Mendis
Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis claimed 35 wickets in 21 matches from 2009 to 2014. Mendis’ unconventional spin and best figures of 6/8 against Zimbabwe in 2012 displayed his ability to bamboozle batsmen with his mystery spin. His average of 15.02 and economy rate of 6.70 highlight his impact in T20 cricket.
9. Umar Gul
Pakistan’s Umar Gul took 35 wickets in 24 matches from 2007 to 2014. Gul’s ability to bowl pinpoint yorkers and his best figures of 5/6 against New Zealand in 2009 made him a dangerous bowler in the death overs. His average in T20 World Cups is 17.25 and economy rate is 7.30.
Suggested Read: God of T20 Cricket in India
10. Trent Boult
Trent Boult has taken 34 wickets in 18 matches from 2014 to 2024. Boult best figures of 4/13 came against Pakistan in 2016. In the T20 World Cups, Boult has an average of 12.50 and an economy rate of 5.93.
11. Rashid Khan
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has taken 33 wickets in 21 matches from 2016 to 2024. Rashid’s best figures of 4/9 came against Hong Kong in 2016. He has maintained an average of 15.75 and an economy rate of 6.31.
12. Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 32 wickets in 24 matches from 2012 to 2022. Ashwin’s off-spin and best figures of 4/11 against Australia in 2014 highlight his ability to outfox batsmen with his variations. His average of 17.25 and economy rate of 6.49 underline his role as a key spinner in India’s T20I campaigns.
Further Read: 10 Highest Individual Score in T20 Cricket
Conclusion
These records by Glenn McGrath in ODI World Cups and Shakib Al Hasan in T20 World Cups are special because they came on cricket’s grandest stages. Their achievements not only highlight their skill but also stand as benchmarks of excellence in international cricket tournaments.
FAQs about World Cup Highest Wicket Taker
Q) Who was the 2023 World Cup highest wicket-taker?
A) In the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the highest wicket-taker was Mohammed Shami. He claimed a total of 24 wickets throughout the tournament.
Q) Who was the 2019 World Cup highest wicket-taker?
A) The highest wicket-taker in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup was Mitchell Starc from Australia. Starc took 27 wickets in the tournament.
Q) Who was the 2015 World Cup highest wicket-taker?
A) The highest wicket-taker in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup was Mitchell Starc from Australia. Starc claimed 22 wickets during the tournament.
