Bowlers who have taken five wickets in T20 Internationals
Taking five wickets in T20 internationals is quite rare. That’s why unlike ODI or Tests in T20s usually a four wicket haul is considered of great importance. Still there are some of the T20 specialists who have taken a five-for in this format more than once. Pakistani star all-rounder Imad Wasim is the latest addition to the list of bowlers with five wickets in T20 internationals. The young Pakistani left-armer has gradually rose into one of the best all-rounders. Although it is too early to count him in for the best ones, but the way he has improved is quite impressive. Pakistan won the first match of the ongoing series against the T20 world champions West Indies quite easily courtesy some very good spin bowling.
With two more t20 games to follow a great competition is expected. Before Imad Wasim only a few bowlers have taken five wickets in T20 international. The young all-rounder however was not the first Pakistani to do the same as Umar Gul has already done the incredible twice. One of the finest fastest bowlers took five wickets against New Zealand for just 6 runs back in 2009. The player went on to repeat the same against South Africa as well four years later in 2013. Interestingly on both occasions Umar Gul did not get to bowl his full four overs. The other bowler who has taken five wickets in t2o more than once is Ajantha Mandis. The Sri Lankan spinner took six wickets twice in a T20I game. Once against Zimbabwe while the other time against Australia.
Umar Gul and Mendis’ heroics aside, the best bowling figures in t20I in terms of runs belongs to Rangana Herath. Herath gave just 3 runs against New Zealand to take five wickets two years back.
Bowlers who have taken five wickets in T20 Internationals
| Player | Span | Mat | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | BBI | 5 wkts |
| Umar Gul (PAK) | 2007-2016 | 60 | 200.3 | 2 | 1443 | 85 | 5/6 | 2 |
| BAW Mendis (SL) | 2008-2014 | 39 | 147.3 | 5 | 952 | 66 | 6/8 | 2 |
| Imad Wasim (PAK) | 2015-2016 | 13 | 44.0 | 0 | 261 | 17 | 5/14 | 1 |
| Ahsan Malik (Neth) | 2012-2016 | 28 | 86.5 | 1 | 637 | 43 | 5/19 | 1 |
| Samiullah Shenwari (Afg) | 2010-2016 | 43 | 101.4 | 0 | 643 | 27 | 5/13 | 1 |
| DJG Sammy (WI) | 2007-2016 | 66 | 146.4 | 0 | 1068 | 44 | 5/26 | 1 |
| SL Malinga (SL) | 2006-2016 | 62 | 217.5 | 0 | 1582 | 78 | 5/31 | 1 |