This article provides key insights and records related to the most prolific wicket-takers during the powerplay overs in T20 International cricket.
Most Wickets in Powerplay Overs in T20Is
| Player | Team | Innings | Wickets in PP | Average in PP | Economy in PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | 104 | 58 | 24.68 | 7.08 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pakistan | 92 | 55 | 23.63 | 7.09 |
| Arshdeep Singh | India | 66 | 47 | 19.89 | 7.60 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | India | 83 | 47 | 22.02 | 5.65 |
| Josh Hazlewood | Australia | 58 | 46 | 18.13 | 6.36 |
| Taskin Ahmed | Bangladesh | 80 | 40 | 25.30 | 6.92 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Bangladesh | 109 | 38 | 25.39 | 6.99 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 77 | 37 | 20.97 | 6.92 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Afghanistan | 50 | 36 | 18.80 | 6.32 |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 69 | 36 | 28.02 | 7.70 |
Key Insights on Leading Wicket Takers in T20I Powerplay Overs
Milestones and Records for Taking 50 T20I Powerplay Wickets
New Zealand’s Tim Southee was the first bowler to take 50 wickets in the powerplay overs in T20I cricket.
Southee took 33 of his 58 wickets in New Zealand, the most by a bowler in the powerplay at home in T20Is.
Bigger Picture: See who is the leading wicket-taker in the overall T20Is
Record-Breaking Powerplay Bowling Figures in T20Is
Former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga has delivered the best bowling figures in the powerplay in a T20I innings. He claimed five wickets for five runs against New Zealand in the 2019 Pallekele T20I.
West Indies’ Oshane Thomas is the other bowler to take a five-wicket haul within the powerplay in a T20I innings. Coincidentally, he delivered his 5 for 28 against Malinga’s Sri Lanka in the 2020 Pallekele T20I.
Efficiency and Dot Ball Prowess in T20I Powerplays
India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the lowest economy rate in the powerplay overs in T20Is (minimum 50 innings). He took 47 wickets at an economy of 5.65 in 83 innings.
Bhuvneshwar has also bowled the most dot balls in the powerplays, having delivered 655 balls for noughts.
Josh Hazlewood (Australia) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) are the two bowlers with an average below 19 in the powerplay phase in T20Is (minimum 50 innings).
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken around 43 per cent of his powerplay wickets in the first over in T20Is. He is, in fact, the top wicket-taker in the first over in T20Is.
Annual Wicket-Taking Feats and Spinners’ Contribution
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan has picked up the most wickets in the powerplay among spinners in T20Is, with 37 scalps to his name.
Bhuvneshwar has picked up the most powerplay wickets in a calendar year in T20Is. He took 21 powerplay wickets in 30 innings in 2022.
New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy is the other bowler to take 20 wickets in the powerplay in a year in T20Is, having done so across 20 innings in 2025.
India’s Arshdeep Singh is the only bowler to take 14 or more powerplay wickets in two different years in T20Is – 14 in 2022 and 16 in 2024.
Question: Which bowler has picked the most wickets in a calendar year in T20I cricket?