Best T20 Bowlers in the World 2024: T20 cricket is a really fast and exciting version of the game, and the bowlers are often the ones who shine the brightest. There are so many talented bowlers out there that it can be hard to figure out who the very best ones are. But, if we look at the rankings by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and how well they’ve been playing recently, we can make a list of the top 10 T20 bowlers in the world.
Best T20 Bowlers in the World 2024
Here are the top 10 T20 bowlers in the world as of 2024:
NOTE
This list is sure to change as the game evolves, but these bowlers are all capable of taking wickets in any conditions. They are all masters of their craft, and they are all a joy to watch.
10. Mark Wood
- Date of Birth: 11 January 1990
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: ENG
- T20 Ranking: 33
Mark Wood is considered one of the best bowlers in T20 cricket. He is known for bowling very fast, with speeds reaching up to 157 km/h (97 mph). He is also good at hitting accurate deliveries like yorkers and short-pitched deliveries.
In T20 International matches, Wood has taken 45 wickets at an average of 18.6 runs per wicket. His economy rate, which measures how many runs he concedes per over, is 8.41. In the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), he took 5 wickets in matches he played.
When it comes to the official ICC rankings, Wood is currently placed 33rd in the list of top T20 bowlers. He also played a significant role in England’s 2022 World Cup campaign.
9. Naseem Shah
- Date of Birth: 15 February 2003
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: PAK
- T20 Ranking: 36
Naseem Shah is a talented young fast bowler from Pakistan who is expected to become a star in the future. He is known for his ability to swing the ball and bowl with good pace, reaching speeds of up to 145 km/h. Naseem is also skilled at bowling accurate yorkers and outswingers.
In T20 Internationals, Naseem has taken 15 wickets with an average of 34.67 runs per wicket. His economy rate, which measures the number of runs he concedes per over, is 7.31. Currently, Naseem is ranked 36th in the ICC T20 bowling rankings. It’s important to keep in mind that he is still relatively new to T20 cricket, having played only 17 matches in this format.
Despite his ranking, Naseem has two standout performances in his career so far. In the Asia Cup 2022 match against Afghanistan, Pakistan needed 12 runs to win with just one wicket remaining. Naseem, displaying his batting skills, hit two sixes to secure a memorable victory for Pakistan. This match will be remembered as one of the most significant moments in his career and in Pakistan’s cricket history.
In another noteworthy performance, during the T20 World Cup final, Naseem bowled to prominent batsmen like Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. His delivery to both of these modern greats was exceptional, showcasing his swinging abilities. Although Pakistan lost the final, Naseem’s spell will be remembered in the years to come as a remarkable display of skill and talent in T20 cricket.
8. Kagiso Rabada
- Date of Birth: 25 May 1995
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: RSA
- T20 Ranking: 39
Kagiso Rabada is highly regarded as one of the top bowlers in T20 cricket worldwide. He is known for his incredible speed, with his fastest deliveries reaching speeds up to 155 km/h. Rabada is also known for his accuracy, particularly his skillful execution of yorker deliveries.
In T20 International matches, Rabada has taken a total of 58 wickets at an average of 29.88 runs per wicket. His economy rate, which measures the number of runs he concedes per over, stands at 8.61. Additionally, in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has an impressive record of 106 wickets in 69 matches.
Currently, Rabada holds the 39th position in the ICC rankings for T20 bowling. However, he has achieved the top spot in the past, reaching a career-best ranking of 1st in 2022.
Rabada is recognized as a highly skilled and versatile T20 bowler. With his experience and ability to perform exceptionally well under pressure, he is considered one of the most complete bowlers in this format of the game.
If Rabada can maintain his current level of performance, he will undoubtedly be a strong contender for the title of the best T20 bowler in the world in 2023.
7. Pat Cummins
- Date of Birth: 08 May 1993
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: AUS
- T20 Ranking: 41
Pat Cummins is an exceptional right-arm fast bowler who is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers in the world, excelling in all formats of the game. In particular, he has made a significant impact in T20 cricket and currently holds the 41st spot in the ICC T20 bowling rankings.
Cummins possesses several key strengths that make him a formidable bowler in T20 matches. He consistently bowls at a high pace, regularly exceeding 145 km/h. Furthermore, he exhibits remarkable accuracy, combined with a variation of pace that adds to the challenge for batsmen facing him.
In T20 Internationals, Cummins has an impressive record of claiming 56 wickets at an average of 24.55 runs per wicket. His economy rate, which indicates the number of runs conceded per over, stands at 7.38. Moreover, in 2023, Cummins has continued to perform admirably, taking on the responsibility of leading the Australian cricket team as their captain.
6. Shaheen Afridi
- Date of Birth: 06 April 2000
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Left-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: PAK
- T20 Ranking: 16
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a talented young fast bowler from Pakistan, has emerged as one of the best bowlers in T20 cricket in 2023. He is widely recognized for his impressive pace, consistently bowling at speeds up to 150 km/h (approximately 93 mph). Afridi also possesses accuracy in his bowling, making good use of yorkers and employing various in-swing deliveries.
In T20 Internationals, Afridi has showcased his skills by taking 64 wickets at an average of 22.73, with an economy rate of 7.64. His performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 was equally impressive, securing 19 wickets in 12 matches.
According to the ICC rankings, Afridi currently holds the 16th position in T20 bowling. However, he has achieved a career-best ranking of 4th, reflecting his exceptional abilities.
Shaheen Afridi can be considered one of the most well-rounded T20 bowlers globally. His combination of pace, accuracy, variation, and experience makes him a formidable threat to any batting lineup. It is worth mentioning that injuries have adversely affected his career. Many believe that if Afridi had not been injured during the T20 World Cup final, Pakistan would have emerged victorious in the final match.
5. Trent Boult
- Date of Birth: 22 July 1989
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Country: NZ
- T20 Ranking: 31
Trent Boult is widely regarded as one of the top T20 bowlers in the world, currently holding the 31st position in the ICC T20I bowling rankings. He is particularly known for his exceptional inswing deliveries, making him a formidable force. Boult showcases his effectiveness both during the powerplay overs and in the death overs, displaying versatility in his bowling approach. With a bowling average of 22.26 and an economy rate of 7.86 in T20I cricket, his statistics are impressive.
As a valuable member of the New Zealand T20 team, Boult has consistently performed well over the years. He is a skilled bowler who thrives in various conditions, demonstrating his adaptability.
To be considered the best T20 bowler in the world, Boult would benefit from enhancing his consistency. Some have noted that he prioritizes league commitments over national duties, suggesting that he could strive for greater dedication to the national team. By maintaining focus and dedication, Boult has the potential to reach new heights in his T20 career.
4. Haris Rauf
- Date of Birth: 7 November 1993
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast
- Country: PAK
- T20 Ranking: 12
Haris Rauf is a highly skilled T20 bowler who currently holds the 12th position in the ICC T20I bowling rankings. He is known for his impressive speed, consistently delivering deliveries at speeds over 150 km/h (approximately 93 mph). Moreover, Rauf possesses commendable accuracy, utilizing a good length and a deceptive slower ball.
In T20 Internationals, Rauf boasts a bowling average of 21.7 and an economy rate of 8.04, indicating his effectiveness in the format. As a valuable member of the Pakistan T20 team, Rauf’s contributions are significant. Being a young player, he is still in the process of development and has the potential to become one of the best T20 bowlers in the world.
During the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Rauf performed admirably. However, in a match against India, he conceded two sixes to Virat Kohli when India required 28 runs from 8 balls. This heartbreaking moment left many Pakistan fans disheartened. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that Kohli is known for his exceptional ability to play such shots, and many believe it was a testament to his skill rather than a reflection of Rauf’s overall performance.
3. Anrich Nortje
- Date of Birth: 16 November 1993
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Right Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Fast Seam
- Country: RSA
- T20 Ranking: 10
Anrich Nortje holds an impressive 3rd position in our ranking of the best T20 bowlers in the world for 2023. He has consistently been among the top 10 in the ICC T20 International bowling rankings since 2019. Nortje’s key strength lies in his exceptional pace, consistently bowling at speeds exceeding 150 km/h (approximately 93 mph). He is also known for his accuracy, delivering effective yorkers and slower balls.
In T20 Internationals, Nortje maintains a bowling average of 19.53 and an economy rate of 7.15, highlighting his effectiveness in the format. He is an integral part of the South Africa T20 team, and his talent positions him as a formidable force in the years ahead. However, it’s worth noting that Nortje has experienced a few injuries in recent times, which have impacted his availability. If he can maintain his fitness, he has the potential to become the best T20 bowler in the world.
Currently, Nortje is ranked 10th in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, which is still a remarkable achievement. If he can remain injury-free and continue refining his skills, he possesses the potential to claim the title of the best T20 bowler in the world.
2. Sam Curran
- Date of Birth: 03 June 1998
- Role: All-Rounder
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Left-Arm Medium Seam
- Country: ENG
- T20 Ranking: 8
In 2023, many people believed that Sam Curran was one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. He was ranked 8th in the ICC T20 International bowling rankings and had a bowling average of 22.69. His economy rate, which measures how many runs he concedes per over, was 7.64 in T20I cricket.
Curran played a crucial role for the England T20 team in 2022, especially in their victory in the ICC T20 World Cup. He was recognized as the Player of the Tournament and was also the leading wicket-taker, taking 16 wickets throughout the tournament.
In 2022, Sam Curran was an outstanding player in T20 cricket. He was considered the best bowler in the world and made significant contributions to the England team.
1. Josh Hazlewood
- Date of Birth: 08 January 1991
- Role: Bowler
- Batting Style: Left Hand
- Bowling Style: Right-Arm Medium Seam
- Country: AUS
- T20 Ranking: 3
Josh Hazlewood is currently recognized as one of the top T20 bowlers in the world in 2023. He holds an impressive 3rd position in the ICC T20 International bowling rankings, trailing Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan of Afghanistan. Hazlewood maintains a remarkable bowling average of 19.94 in T20I cricket, further solidifying his reputation.
One of Hazlewood’s notable strengths is his effectiveness as a death bowler. He excels in bowling during the crucial final overs of an innings. Additionally, he showcases versatility by being capable of delivering impactful performances at various stages of a match.
Beyond his bowling prowess, Hazlewood is a skilled fielder, contributing to his team’s success with his athleticism and agility in the field. His ability to make an impact beyond bowling adds to his value as a player.
With his exceptional skills and consistent performances, Josh Hazlewood is a top choice for the number one T20 bowler. As a key member of the Australian T20 team, he continues to be a force to be reckoned with, and his contributions are expected to make a significant impact in the years to come.
