Bowlers with Most Wickets in Powerplays (T20I)
The powerplay in T20 cricket—overs 1 to 6—is a crucial phase that shapes the course of the match. With only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle, bowlers face immense pressure but also have a golden chance to remove top-order batters. Some bowlers have mastered this phase and consistently deliver early breakthroughs.
Below is the final verified list of bowlers with the most wickets in powerplay overs (1–6) in T20 Internationals, based on publicly available and trusted stats (as of July 2025):
Verified List – Most Wickets in T20I Powerplays
| Rank | Player | Team | Powerplay Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Tim Southee | New Zealand | 39 |
| 2️⃣ | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | India | 34 |
| 2️⃣ | Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan | 34 |
| 4️⃣ | Samuel Badree | West Indies | 33 |
| 5️⃣ | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 27 |
| 6️⃣ | Josh Hazlewood | Australia | 26 |
| 6️⃣ | Mustafizur Rahman | Bangladesh | 26 |
| 6️⃣ | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 26 |
Note: Only wickets taken in overs 1–6 are included. Stats updated as of July 2025.
Why Powerplay Wickets Matter
Early wickets break the backbone of any batting lineup and shift momentum quickly. Bowlers who shine in the powerplay are typically:
- Masters of swing or seam
- Extremely accurate
- Smart with pace variations
These bowlers don’t just keep runs in check—they create pressure and force mistakes.
Observations
- Shaheen Afridi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the most efficient among active bowlers.
- Tim Southee leads overall but is slightly more expensive on average.
- Badree, despite retiring early, left a huge impact in this phase.
Final Thoughts
While the T20 format continues to evolve in favor of batters, powerplay specialists prove that top-level bowling skill still holds value. These early-over heroes continue to shape matches and deliver breakthroughs when it matters most.
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