Wanindu Hasaranga Takes More T20 World Cup Wickets Than Shahid Afridi

Sri Lankan cricket player Wanindu Hasaranga has now taken more wickets in T20 World Cup games than former Pakistan player Shahid Afridi. Hasaranga reached this new record during a game against Ireland, even though he had a leg muscle problem.
By Newsroom | Cricket, T20 World Cup |

A recent T20 World Cup match saw Sri Lankan bowler Wanindu Hasaranga achieve a significant milestone, surpassing former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi's wicket count in the tournament's history. This achievement occurred during Sri Lanka's closely contested match against Ireland, where Hasaranga delivered a strong performance with the ball, even while dealing with a physical setback. The development places Hasaranga in the top ranks of T20 World Cup bowlers, a testament to his sustained effectiveness on the global stage.

The Sri Lankan team secured a victory against Ireland, by a margin of 20 runs. Hasaranga was a key player in this win, taking three wickets in his four overs while conceding 25 runs. The match was notable for Ireland mounting a strong challenge before a late collapse allowed Sri Lanka to defend their total.

Read More: Italy Beats Nepal in T20 World Cup Match

Wanindu Hasaranga surpasses Shahid Afridi in T20 World Cup record despite injury against Ireland - 1

Key Events and Timeline

The core event unfolded during Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup opening match against Ireland on Sunday, February 8th. Wanindu Hasaranga's performance in this match is central to the record.

  • Match Start: Sri Lanka faced Ireland in their T20 World Cup campaign.

  • Hasaranga's Bowling: Hasaranga was introduced into the attack when Ireland was 52/1 after seven overs.

  • Mid-Match Injury: Reports indicate Hasaranga experienced a hamstring issue shortly after bowling his second ball of the match, affecting his follow-through.

  • Performance Despite Injury: Despite the physical concern, Hasaranga continued to bowl and secured three wickets for 25 runs in his four overs.

  • Record Progression: With these wickets, Hasaranga surpassed Shahid Afridi's T20 World Cup wicket tally. He also became Sri Lanka's highest wicket-taker in the history of the T20 World Cup.

Leading T20 World Cup Wicket-Takers

The current standings for most wickets in T20 World Cups, as per the information available, highlight Hasaranga's ascendance:

Read More: England Captain Says "Thank God" After Losing to West Indies

Wanindu Hasaranga surpasses Shahid Afridi in T20 World Cup record despite injury against Ireland - 2
RankPlayerWicketsMatches
1Shakib Al Hasan5043
2Wanindu Hasaranga4020
3Shahid Afridi3934
4Lasith Malinga3831
5Rashid Khan3824

Note: Some sources suggest Hasaranga had 37 wickets prior to this match (Article 4), indicating the wickets taken against Ireland were crucial for surpassing Afridi and reaching the 40-wicket mark.

Hasaranga's Career Trajectory

Wanindu Hasaranga's development as a cricketer has been marked by a significant transition in his bowling style.

Wanindu Hasaranga surpasses Shahid Afridi in T20 World Cup record despite injury against Ireland - 3

  • Initial Role: He began his career as a frontline seam bowler.

  • Coaching Influence: With guidance from a mentor, he switched to leg-spin bowling, a change that proved pivotal for his international career.

  • Early Career: Hasaranga made his ODI debut on July 2, 2017, and achieved a hat-trick on debut against Zimbabwe.

  • T20I Success: A notable performance in a T20I series against Pakistan saw him claim 8 wickets in three matches, earning him the Man of the Series award.

  • Sri Lankan Leadership: He has also served as Captain for Sri Lanka in T20Is between 2023-24.

Comparison with Shahid Afridi

While Hasaranga's recent achievement focuses on T20 World Cup wickets, a broader comparison with Shahid Afridi reveals different career statistics.

Read More: India vs Pakistan Match in T20 World Cup 2026 Will Happen

StatisticWanindu HasarangaShahid AfridiNotes
T20 WC Wickets4039Hasaranga now leads in this specific category.
T20 WC Matches2034Hasaranga achieved his tally in fewer matches.
International Wickets270This data point from Article 5 appears inconsistent.
T20 Economy Rate7.00This data point from Article 5 appears inconsistent.
T20I CenturiesBoth players have not scored centuries in T20Is.

The provided data regarding total international wickets and economy rates for Shahid Afridi in Article 5 seems to be an anomaly or incorrectly transcribed, as Afridi is widely recognized as a prominent all-rounder with a significant number of international wickets and runs.

Wanindu Hasaranga surpasses Shahid Afridi in T20 World Cup record despite injury against Ireland - 4

Expert Insights

The impact of Hasaranga's performance, especially under challenging circumstances, has been noted.

"Hasaranga stars with the ball as he picked up three wickets in his four overs for 25 runs in Sri Lanka's close 20-run win over the Irish side." - India TV Sports

"The wrist-spinner is now Sri Lanka's highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history." - NewsBytes

Conclusion and Implications

Wanindu Hasaranga's achievement of becoming Sri Lanka's leading T20 World Cup wicket-taker and surpassing Shahid Afridi's tally marks a significant personal milestone. His ability to perform effectively, even with a reported hamstring injury, underscores his importance to the Sri Lankan team. This record places him among the elite bowlers in T20 World Cup history, standing second only to Shakib Al Hasan. The data also indicates Hasaranga has reached this T20 World Cup milestone in considerably fewer matches than Afridi, suggesting a high level of consistency and wicket-taking efficiency.

Sources Used

Read More: Namibia Captain Says Team Didn't Get Enough Night Practice Before India Game

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who has more T20 World Cup wickets now?
Wanindu Hasaranga from Sri Lanka has more T20 World Cup wickets.
Q: Who did Hasaranga pass?
He passed Shahid Afridi from Pakistan.
Q: Did Hasaranga get injured?
Yes, he had a hamstring problem during the match against Ireland.
Q: How many wickets does Hasaranga have in T20 World Cups?
He has 40 wickets.
Q: Is Hasaranga the top wicket-taker in T20 World Cups?
No, Shakib Al Hasan has more wickets, but Hasaranga is second.