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Top 5 Best Bowling Figures in T20 World Cup Final History: There's an old and famous saying in the world of cricket "Batsmen win you matches, but bowlers win you tournaments." We witnessed exactly this at the recently concluded ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026. In a packed stadium in Ahmedabad, India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs to win their record third T20 World Cup title.
T20 cricket is often considered a batsman's game, where the bowlers' struggles are overshadowed by the barrage of fours and sixes. But history shows that whenever the pressure of the final has increased, some bowler has turned the match around with their magical deliveries.
Let's take a look at the top 5 bowling figures in T20 World Cup final history.
Best Bowling Figures in T20 World Cup Finals History
| Rank | Bowler | W/R | Year | VS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajantha Mendis | 4/12 | 2012 | West Indies |
| 2 | Jasprit Bumrah | 4/15 | 2026 | New Zealand |
| 3 | Sunil Narine | 3/09 | 2012 | Sri Lanka |
| 4 | Sam Curran | 3/12 | 2022 | Pakistan |
| 5 | Irfan Pathan / Josh Hazlewood | 3/16 | 2007 / 2021 | Pakistan / New Zealand |
Top 5 Bowling Performances in T20 World Cup Finals
5. Irfan Pathan (2007) and Josh Hazlewood (2021) – 3/16
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The number 5 spot is jointly held by two legendary bowlers.
- Irfan Pathan: Irfan wreaked havoc against Pakistan in Johannesburg in that historic 2007 final. He took 3 wickets for 16 runs, earning him the Player of the Match award, and India became the first T20 World Champions.
- Josh Hazlewood: In the 2021 final, as New Zealand were on their way to a mammoth total of 172, Hazlewood held the fort in the death overs. He took 3 wickets for 16 runs, helping Australia win their first T20 title.
Also Read: Indian Players to Win Player of the Tournament in T20 World Cup history
4. Sam Curran (2022) – 3/12
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Sam Curran was the real hero of England's title win in 2022. He conceded just 12 runs in his four overs against Pakistan in Melbourne.
- Special Features: He took the wickets of Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, and Mohammad Nawaz.
- Stats: His spell included 15 dot balls. This performance earned him not only the Player of the Match but also the Player of the Tournament award.
3. Sunil Narine (2012) – 3/9
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What West Indies mystery spinner Sunil Narine did against Sri Lanka in the 2012 final is unforgettable. Defending just 101 runs, Narine kept the Sri Lankan batsmen on their toes.
- Economy: Narine conceded runs at an economy rate of just 2.45.
- Wickets: He dismissed a legendary Mahela Jayawardene. His 3.4-over spell, which included 14 dot balls, broke Sri Lanka's back.
Also Read: Shivam Dube Performance in T20 World Cup 2026: Stats, Key Innings & Impact
2. Jasprit Bumrah (2026) – 4/15
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Jasprit Bumrah was the architect of India's victory in the 2026 final. He maintained pressure from the start on the Ahmedabad pitch.
- Match Turning Point: He dismissed Rachin Ravindra on the very first ball of his spell, putting New Zealand on the back foot.
- After this, he did not give the lower-order batsmen (Santner, Neesham, and Matt Henry) a chance to settle down. Bumrah's four-wicket haul secured India's third World Cup.
1. Ajantha Mendis (2012) – 4/12
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The game of cricket can sometimes be very cruel. The number one bowler on this list is the bowler who recorded the best figures, but his team lost.
- In the 2012 final, Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis took 4 wickets for just 12 runs against the West Indies.
- Despite such excellent bowling, Sri Lanka's batting faltered and they fell short of winning the title at home. However, this remains the best bowling figure in the history of T20 World Cup finals.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Stats in T20 World Cup 2026, Captaincy, Runs, and Impact
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