There is a saying in cricket that states, “Batters win you games, Bowlers win you tournaments”. It isn’t a surprise that teams with solid bowling attacks often win championships. The T20Is despite scaling new heights in terms of run-scoring amounts to little when it comes to quality bowling.
Spinners who were feared might be out of reckoning in the shortest format are the surprise weapons. They are the ones who often tilt the balance of the game. A good spinner exerts pressure on the batsmen through relentless discipline. The dot balls eventually result in risk and that brings in wickets.
We look at 5 of the most economical bowlers in T20Is:
[Minimum overs bowled: 150]
#5 Saeed Ajmal (6.36)
He was the first of the mystery spinners who spun a web around batsmen. Saeed Ajmal on most days was unplayable across formats. Teams often looked to play out his four overs in the T20Is. Hence it comes as no surprise that Ajmal features fifth on the list of most economical bowlers. He played 64 games in the period between 2009-15. Ajmal sent down 238.2 overs picking 85 wickets at an average of 17.83. His economy rate was 6.36!
#4 Imad Wasim (6.33)
He has taken over from where Saeed Ajmal left. Imad Wasim predominantly bowls in the powerplay. He is a difficult customer to get away with. Wasim might appear to be predictable with his lengths, but he does batsmen in with his clever variations. He is one of the unsung heroes of Pakistan’s bowling lineup. Wasim has bowled 204 overs in 58 games picking 55 wickets at 23.49. He concedes runs at just 6.33!
#3 Samuel Badree (6.17)
He was one of the key members of the Windies team that won two T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2016. Samuel Badree flourished under the radar throughout his career. It was the explosive batters who dominated the proceedings but it was Badree who reined opponents in. His bowling smarts often restricted oppositions. He played 52 games picking 56 wickets at 21.07. Badree conceded just 6.17 runs per over!
#2 Rashid Khan (6.12)
The wily spinner from Afghanistan is destined for greatness. Rashid Khan has picked up wickets all over the world. He is a champion bowler across various cricketing leagues. Teams are happy to let Khan away without giving him a wicket. Hence he is able to exert extra pressure on them. He has picked 109 wickets in 61 games at an average of 13. His strike rate of 12.7 is even more stunning. To top it all he goes for just 6.12 runs per over!
#1 Sunil Narine (6.01)
The poker-faced spinner from West Indies unsurprisingly tops the list. Sunil Narine was almost close to unplayable when he burst onto the scene in 2012. He kept plugging away for fun. His dot ball bowling was mighty effective that reaped rich dividends.
Narine last played an international game in 2019. He picked up 52 wickets in 51 games at 21.25 in the 7 years he played for the Windies. But it is his economy rate of 6.01 that expertly stands out!
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