Even though the T20 format isn’t quite the bowler’s domain, there have been multiple occasions when bowlers have turned out to be match winners. Here are the top five bowling performances in the World T20 history.
Umar Gul , 5 for 6 against New Zealand, 2009
Umar Gul’s magical spell of 5 wickets for 6 runs shocked the Kiwi batsmen as their entire side was crushed for a mere 99. Gul’s reverse swing and Yorkers got him the likes of Kyle Mills, Peter McGlashan and James Franklin. He also registered the first five wicket haul in T20 internationals. Pakistan clinched the match with 6 wickets still in hand.
- Sunil Narine, 3 for 9 against Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2012
After Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy’s blistering first inning knocks, Narine’s 3 for 9 was only considered a supporting act at best. Narine was deprived of the credit he deserved as he dismissed some of the most dangerous batsmen in the Lankan side. He not only got Mahela Jayawardane, the highest run-getter of the tournament but also went on to dismiss Nuwan Kulasekra just when he was turning lethal.
Lasith Malinga, 5 for 31 against England, Pallekele, 2012
Sri Lanka posted a modest T20 target of 170 for England to chase. And for a couple of overs it looked like the British lads would eventually take the match away. But then came in Malinga, who almost single handedly destroyed the English bating line up. Malinga scalped 3 wickets on the first four balls, he bowled. England top scorer Samit Patel, was dismissed for a full toss by Malinga, sending England out of the championship.
Dale Steyn, 4 for 17 against New Zealand, Chittagong, 2014
Dale Steyn’s miracle of a spell got the Proteas a last ball-two run win. South Africa were defending 29 runs in the last three overs. Ross Taylor and Luke Ronchi managed to ease some of the pressure off by hitting timely boundaries. NZ now only needed 7 off the last 6 deliveries. Steyn came back to bowl the last over which looked like this: W, 0, 0, 4, W and run out.
Rangana Herath, 5 for 3, New Zealand, Chittagong, 2014
The Lankan batsmen could only compile a total of 119. They needed their bowlers to step their game up and this is precisely what their ace left arm spinner did. The Kiwis were flogged to 30 for 5. Herath took wicket after wicket, as he displayed the array of his bowling and fielding capabilities. New Zealand biggies like McCullum and Williamson had no answer to this amazing spell by Herath, who was later awarded the man of the match award.
