In a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a match-winning performance against Ireland, etching his name in history books. His brilliant spell of 3 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs not only secured victory for his team but also propelled him past Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi to claim the second spot among all-time leading wicket-takers in T20 World Cups.
Hasaranga now boasts 40 wickets in just 20 matches, overtaking Afridi’s tally of 39 wickets from 34 games. This remarkable achievement came with his third wicket in the game, showcasing his dominance on a spin-friendly pitch. As Sri Lanka celebrated the win, the cricketing world took note of the young spinner’s meteoric rise.
At the summit remains Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan with an impressive 50 wickets in 43 matches across multiple editions from 2007 to 2024. Close behind Hasaranga is Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who has 38 wickets in 24 matches since 2016. Sri Lanka’s own Lasith Malinga, the hero of their 2014 triumph, holds fifth place with 38 wickets in 31 outings.
The 2026 edition, which kicked off on March 7, is still in its early stages, promising more drama. Hasaranga and Rashid are well-positioned to challenge Shakib’s record, while Australia’s Adam Zampa lurks with 36 wickets in 21 matches. Fans are buzzing with anticipation for what could be a record-breaking tournament for these spin wizards.