From Lamichhane to Mustafizur: Know bowlers with most wickets in a calendar year in T20 internationals

Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has claimed the most wickets in a calendar year in T20 internationals.

After being appointed the new Nepal cricket team captain in December 2021, Sandeep Lamichhane has already picked 38 wickets in 18 matches in 2022 at an average of 10.78 and an economy of 5.77.

The right-arm leg-spinner also registered his best bowling figures in 2022 as he bagged five wickets for just nine runs in his quota of four overs against hosts Kenya in a T20 encounter at Gymkhana Club Ground.

Meanwhile, Lamichhane surpassed the previous record held by Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga. The Sri Lanka leg-spinner picked 36 wickets in 20 matches in 2021 at an average of 11.63 and an economy of 5.44. 

Interestingly, Wanindu Hasaranga finished as the leading wicket-taker during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates in 2021. The star leg-spinner scalped 16 wickets in just eight matches at an economy of 5.20 and an average of 9.75.

South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi features third on the list. The left-arm wrist-spinner had also claimed 36 wickets but in 22 matches in 2021 at an average of 13.36 and an economy of 5.72. Shamsi had picked eight wickets in five matches in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

Uganda’s Dinesh Nakrani and Andrew Tye of Australia complete the top five list.

Left-arm medium-pacer Nakrani claimed 35 wickets in 22 matches in 2021. On the other hand, Andrew Tye picked 31 wickets in 19 matches in 2018.

Among Indians, premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah holds the record for the most wickets in a calendar year in T20 internationals. In 2016, Bumrah bagged 28 wickets in 21 T20Is at an average of 18.82 and an economy of 6.62.

Most wickets in a calendar year in T20 internationals

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Featured photo: ICC