T20 World Cup Records: Best Average by a Bowler
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has always been a feast to the eyes of cricket lovers. It is full of aggressive batting, exciting games, and record-breaking bowling displays. Of all the metrics used to measure a bowler’s success in the tournament, the bowling average remains relevant. It brings out the fact of how effectively a bowler can get rid of the batsmen and, at the same time, be economical on runs. South African pacer Anrich Nortje holds the record for the best bowling average across the T20 World Cup.
| Avg. | Player | Matches | Wickets | Overs | Runs |
| 11.40 | Anrich Nortje† | 19 | 35 | 71.5 | 399 |
| 11.72 | Wanindu Hasaranga† | 19 | 37 | 72.2 | 231 |
| 12.50 | Trent Boult | 18 | 34 | 71.4 | 425 |
| 13.26 | Tabraiz Shamsi† | 12 | 23 | 43.5 | 305 |
| 13.58 | Samuel Badree | 15 | 24 | 59.0 | 326 |
- Anrich Nortje (South Africa) – Avg. 11.40
In the years 2021 to 2024, Anrich Nortje has proved to be a force to be reckoned with as far as South Africa’s pace bowlers are concerned for the T20 International matches. He has bagged 35 wickets playing 19 matches with an extraordinary average of 11.40 runs scored, where he applied only 399 runs in 71.5 overs for losses. His fiery pace, coupled with sharp accuracy, makes him a consistent menace to batters through hostile spells, often breaking partnerships during critical times. Such amazing statistics in the T20 World Cup show that he is loved and completely dominant in being a strike bowler in the format that happens to be the shortest.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – Avg. 11.72
The match-winner from 2021 till 2024 has been the spinner from Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, with 37 wickets from 19 T20I matches. Bowling 72.2 overs and sending away just 231 runs amounts to a great average of 11.72. It lies in his remarkable variations and accurate line and length, especially during the middle overs. Economically, Hasaranga not only takes up wickets on his way to becoming one of the most dangerous leg spinners in T20, but also frequently does.
- Trent Boult (New Zealand) – Avg. 12.50
Outstanding T20I left-arm pacer, Trent Boult, for New Zealand has covered a vast distance in terms of his performance over the last decade, that is, from 2014 to 2024. He has picked up 34 wickets in 18 matches with a mere average of 12.50 by giving away only 425 in 71.4 overs. Boult swings the ball upfront and has very accurate yorkers at the death, so facing him sends shivers down every batter’s spine. Control, experience, and consistency have made him one of the most effective fast bowlers in the annals of T20 World Cup cricket.
- Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa) – Avg. 13.26
Tabraiz Shamsi has turned murderous for his opponents in T20 World Cup from 2021 to 2024 as a left-arm wrist spinner from South Africa. In 12 matches, he took 23 wickets while conceding 305 runs in 43.5 overs, maintaining a brilliant average of 13.26. Difficult to score runs freely due to unusual googlies and tight lines of Shamsi. He is renowned as a top T20 spin bowler in the world due to his ability to break partnerships and control the reduced run rate.
- Samuel Badree (West Indies): Avg. 13.58
This stalwart spinner was for the West Indies between 2012 and 2016 and appeared in 15 T20Is and obtained 24 wickets for a very good average of 13.58. Known for his accuracy and control in the powerplay, Badree bowled 59 overs and allowed only 326 runs to come off it. The flat trajectory and disciplined bowling style of Badree make it very difficult for the foregone batters to take risks at the beginning of an inning. West Indies’ successes at T20 during Badree’s active years are largely attributed to his consistent Thursday performances.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has been lucky to have some of the greatest bowlers of all time. However, Anrich Nortje broke all records by averaging 11.40. South Africa says he is an outstanding player and the best with the ball and crucial to South Africa’s pursuit of ICC success. Since Nortje is still rising and producing fantastic performances, this shows that it is possible to see more records by this great bowler in the future in tournaments like the T20 World Cup.
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