Most Wickets in T20 World Cup: Afghanistan Pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi Breaks Single Edition Record

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Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi on Thursday (June 27) created history by becoming the bowler with most wickets taken in a single edition of a T20 World Cup after claiming his 17th wicket in T20 World Cup 2024.

Farooqi reached this milestone during his Afghanistan's semifinal match against South Africa at Tarouba in Trinidad. During the game, Farooqi took the wicket of wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock and ended with figures of 1/11 in two overs.

With that scalp, Farooqi has taken 17 wickets in eight games at an average of 9.41 and an economy rate of 6.31, with the best bowling figures of 5/9. He is the leading wicket-taker in the competition as of now, but can be overtaken by India's Arshdeep Singh later in the day.

Previously, the record for most wickets in a single T20 WC was held by Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who got 16 scalps in the 2021 edition held at UAE.

Hasaranga (15 wickets in T20 WC 2022) also shares the third place with compatriot Ajantha Mendis (15 wickets in 2012 T20 WC0), and India's Arshdeep (15 wickets in T20 WC 2024), who of course can better his tally when India face England in the second semi-final.

This edition has also seen two bowlers share the sixth spot as Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan and Bangladesh's Rishad Hossain matched Australia's Dirk Nannes' tally of 14 wickets. Here is a look at the players with most wickets in a single T20 World Cup:

Most Wickets in single edition of T20 World Cup

1. Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) - 17 wickets in 2024
2. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 16 wickets in 2021
3. Arshdeep Singh (India) - 15 wickets in 2024
4. Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) - 15 wickets in 2012
5. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) - 15 wickets in 2022
6. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - 14 wickets in 2024
7. Rishad Hossain (Afghanistan) - 14 wickets in 2024
8. Dirk Nannes (Australia) - 14 wickets in 2010
9. Sam Curran (England) - 13 wickets in 2022
10. Umar Gul (Pakistan) - 13 wickets in 2008

There are several other bowlers tied on 13 wickets in a single edition of the show-piece tournament, including Naveen-ul-Haq, Trent Boult, Anrich Nortje and Adam Zampa twice among others.

Coming back to the semi-final match, Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but South Africa pacers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje made the Asian side regret their decision, reducing them to 28/6.

Karim Janat (8) and skipper Rashid (8) tried to launch a counterattack with some boundaries, but the Proteas bundled out Afghanistan for just 56 runs in 11.5 overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi (3/6) and Marco Jansen (3/16) were the top bowlers for Proteas. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje also took two wickets each.

In the run-chase, Proteas lost de Kock early. However, Reeza Hendricks (29* in 25 balls, with three fours and a six) and skipper Aiden Markram (23* in 21 balls, with four boundaries) took SA to the winning score in 8.5 overs.

With this result, Proteas continued their unbeaten streak in the tournament and reached their first-ever final in convincing fashion, whileAfghanistan's inspirational and dreamy run ended in the semifinal.