T20 World Cup: Here are best bowling returns for spinners
The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 1. It will be co-hosted by the West Indies and USA. The impending event will likely see the domination of spinners as the Caribbean pitches are slow and dry in nature. Over the years, several spinners have made a mark in the tournament. Here are their best bowling returns in T20 WCs.
Ajantha Mendis: 6/8 vs ZIM, 2012
Sri Lanka's mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis has the best bowling figures for a spinner in the T20 World Cup. He leads the overall list as well. He recorded figures worth 4-2-8-6 against Zimbabwe in the 2012 T20 World Cup Group C match. Mendis remains the only bowler with a six-fer in the tournament's history. SL scored 182/4 before bowling out Zimbabwe for 100.
Rangana Herath: 5/3 vs NZ, 2014
Rangana Herath is the only other Sri Lankan spinner with a five-wicket haul in the T20 World Cup. He took 5/3 against New Zealand in the 2014 Group 1 encounter, where the Kiwis failed to chase a mere 120. NZ faced Herath's wrath that lasted 3.3 overs as they perished for 60. Notably, Kane Williamson scored 42 of these runs.
Adam Zampa: 5/19 vs BAN, 2021
In 2021, leg-spinner Adam Zampa became the first-ever Australian spinner with a five-wicket haul in the T20 World Cup. He took five wickets for just 19 runs against Bangladesh as they were bundled out for 73. The Aussies chased it down in 6.2 overs to make the contest one-sided. Notably, Zampa starred in Australia's 2021 title-winning run with 13 wickets.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman: 5/20 vs Scotland, 2021
In the same edition, Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman made headlines in his first-ever T20 World Cup match. The Afghan off-spinner scalped a fifer against Scotland in the Group 2 encounter. Afghanistan claimed a massive 130-run win after defending 190/4. The Scots were bowled out for a mere 60. Mujeeb took 5/20 in four overs, while Rashid Khan recorded figures worth 4/9 (2.2).
