Explosive batting in T20 cricket is well-loved but brilliant spells of bowling can change the course of results in matches. The ultimate showing in T20 cricket are the best bowling figures that gleam with supremacy, when a bowler wrecks the batting order on their lonesome. Such record-breaking spells take tremendous skill, accuracy, and strategy. Here is a complete guide to the top 10 best bowling figures in T20 cricket in 2026.
Top 10 Best Bowling Figures in T20 Cricket History
So here is the current list of the best bowling performances in T20 cricket:
| Rank | Player | Figures | Team | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonam Yeshey | 8/7 | Bhutan | Myanmar | Gelephu | 2025 |
| 2 | Colin Ackermann | 7/18 | Leicestershire | Birmingham Bears | T20 Blast | 2019 |
| 3 | Syazrul Idrus | 7/8 | Malaysia | China | T20I | 2023 |
| 4 | Deepak Chahar | 6/7 | India | Bangladesh | T20I | 2019 |
| 5 | Ajantha Mendis | 6/8 | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe | T20 World Cup | 2012 |
| 6 | Lasith Malinga | 6/7 | Melbourne Stars | Perth Scorchers | BBL | 2012 |
| 7 | Romario Shepherd | 5/20 | West Indies | Scotland | T20 World Cup 2026 | 2026 |
| 8 | Junaid Siddique | 5/35 | UAE | Canada | T20 World Cup 2026 | 2026 |
| 9 | Rashid Khan | 5/3 | Afghanistan | Various | Multiple | – |
| 10 | Varun Chakaravarthy | 5/12 | India | Various | T20 World Cup 2026 | 2026 |
Sonam Yeshey: Record Holder with 8/7
In 2025, Sonam Yeshey of Bhutan recorded the best-ever bowling performance in T20 cricket history claiming 8 wickets for 7 runs against Myanmar. It’s still the sole instance of an eight-wicket haul in T20 cricket. Yeshey dismissed batsmen off the first, second and fourth balls of his first over and continued his assault through the spell. In addition to that, his innings triggered a massive win for Bhutan where they were able to register the biggest win in their history and put Bhutanese cricket on the world stage. It was also now one of the finest single spells in the history of the shortest format.
Colin Ackermann: 7/18 in English Domestic Cricket
In 2019, a bowling performance from Colin Ackermann among the very best in T20 Blast when, in one of the finest figures in the competition’s history, he took 7 wickets for 18 runs against the Birmingham Bears. The off-spinner capitalized very well on the conditions in the day and tore apart the opposition batting order. His spell was a key factor in Leicestershire’s triumph, and it remains ingrained in the annals of English domestic T20 cricket. Ackermann’s control and the numerous of deliveries that were variations from the previous delivery, made it almost impossible for batters to find their range.
Syazrul Idrus: 7/8 for Malaysia
Syazrul Idrus took 7 wickets for 8 runs in a T20I against China (Image credit: Syazrul Idrus) That fabulous over was a proof of his swing bowling skills and precision in bowling. His efforts secured Malaysia a comprehensive win in what was also a demonstration of the progression of the bowling stocks in associate member countries. Idrus’s spell is still one of the most cost-effective and damaging figures in T20 cricket history.
Deepak Chahar: 6/7 for India
Also, in T20 Internationals, the best bowling figures by any full-member player is 6-7 by Indian pacer Deepak Chahar against Bangladesh in 2019. Chahar turned on the style with the new ball destroying the Bangladesh top order who crumbled to 32 for 4 in just 3.2 overs. It was this spell which saw India through their modest total victory and one of the best bowling spells you’ll witness in Indian T20 cricket.
Ajantha Mendis & Lasith Malinga: Legendary Spells
Early on in the T20 canvas of cricket, Lankan heroes Ajantha Mendis (6/8) and Lasith Malinga (6/07) delivered two of the greatest ever bowling episodes. And you mention one of the old wheeler Mendis, at 2012 T20 World Cup bamboozled Zimbabwe using his mystery spin, while Malinga, his slingy action chaos through Big Bash League. We look back at two bowlers who were trailblazers and what kind of bar they set for years to come.
Other Notable Best Bowling Figures in T20 Cricket
Many bowlers have picked up fantastic five-wicket hauls in the past few years. Bowling spells of 2026 T20 World CupFebruary 16, 2023, by T20 World Cup Team Categories Feature, Staff, World Cup Rashid Khan and Varun Chakaravarthy are almost like two sides of the same coin and they still get the batters out with their variations and a dose of mystery spin. This is not an indication of which way the T20 format tips towards—in truth, we’ve seen that even in T20s, both pacers and spinners can rule the roost if the conditions allow them to.
Why Best Bowling Figures in T20 Cricket Are Rare
T20 cricket is a short format of the game, where it is extremely hard to achieve best bowling figures. The batsmen play aggressive and the bowlers have a few overs to make an impact. What a bowler requires to bowl: Perfect execution, luck with edges and missed shots, and tight support from fielders. Record-breaking spells are usually the product of one of two occurrences: either the bowler exploiting some genuinely helpful conditions with the ball, or striking when pressure is applied.
The Future of Bowling Records in T20 Cricket
The evolution of T20 cricket has led to more leagues and better batting techniques and, gradually, bowlers too, have adapted with new variations and tricks. More record breaking numbers can be anticipated in the next years. As the format expands worldwide, we should anticipate younger spinners and death-over specialists step up to the task and breaking current records.
Conclusion
Bowlers deserve all the cakes, beers & hugs peach bows in the batter dominated format of T20 cricket. Lets celebrate the excellent bowling figures in T20 cricket as we are training on data till October 2023. These spells, from Sonam Yeshey’s historic 8/7 to Deepak Chahar’s 6/7, etch themselves into the memory and often the result of a match. With developments in T20 cricket, many will follow suit and the next generation of bowling heroes will be hoping to make their own mark in the record book.
