When it comes to T20 Internationals, every ball matters—and every wicket counts. Over the years, Pakistan has produced some of the outstanding bowlers in the format. From raw pace to crafty spin, Pakistan’s bowling attack has always had the firepower to challenge the best in the world.
In this post, we dive into the list of bowlers who’ve taken the most wickets for Pakistan in T20Is. This is based entirely on verified match data and reflects their performances up until 2025.
Here’s a look at the top 10 Pakistani bowlers with the Most Wickets for Pakistan in T20Is:
| Rank | Player Name | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best Bowling |
| 1 | Haris Rauf | 85 | 119 | 20.99 | 8.28 | 4/18 |
| 2 | Shadab Khan | 112 | 112 | 24.37 | 7.37 | 4/8 |
| 3 | Shaheen Afridi | 79 | 102 | 22.12 | 7.90 | 4/22 |
| 4 | Shahid Afridi | 98 | 97 | 24.35 | 6.61 | 4/11 |
| 5 | Saeed Ajmal | 64 | 85 | 17.83 | 6.36 | 4/19 |
| 6 | Umar Gul | 60 | 85 | 16.97 | 7.19 | 5/6 |
| 7 | Imad Wasim | 75 | 73 | 21.75 | 6.20 | 5/14 |
| 8 | Mohammad Amir | 62 | 71 | 21.94 | 7.07 | 4/13 |
| 9 | Hasan Ali | 54 | 68 | 22.72 | 8.51 | 5/30 |
| 10 | Mohammad Hafeez | 119 | 61 | 22.75 | 6.60 | 4/10 |
1. Haris Rauf – 119 Wickets
Haris Rauf is in first place with 119 wickets taken in 85 games. He has been the first-choice bowler for Pakistan for the last few years, even when not necessarily having the new ball, he is always wicket-taking at important times for his team. Certainly, the fact Rauf’s strike rate in T20I cricket is just 15.21, makes him even more impressive. He has best bowling statistics of 4/18 and he has not achieved or taken a five-wicket haul in T20I cricket, but he has bowled four four-fors! Rauf has proved he can deliver winning performances week in week out with his pace combined with aggression and control, especially in the death overs of matches.
2. Shadab Khan – 112 Wickets
Right behind Rauf is leg-spinner Shadab Khan. With 112 wickets in 112 matches, he’s the most consistent spinner in Pakistan’s T20I history. Shadab uses accurate leg-spin with a great understanding of the game. His best bowling performance is 4/8 and has taken three four-wicket hauls. His economy rate is 7.37, his strike rate is 19.83 which shows he is able to take continuous wickets in the middle overs while being able to contain the batters.
3. Shaheen Shah Afridi – 102 Wickets
Shaheen Afridi has taken 102 wickets from 79 games with flair and fire. Shaheen is recognized around the globe for his deadly swings and toe-crushing yorkers. Shaheen’s best figures stand at 4/22. Shaheen’s bowling average reads 22.12 with a strike rate A striking 16.80. Shaheen has only two four-wicket hauls, which also reflects his impact during the powerplay overs.
4. Shahid Afridi – 97 Wickets
The remarkable all rounder Shahid Afridi, who retired from international cricket in 2016, remains an all-time great wicket-taker, even after all these years. Afridi has taken 97 wickets in just 98 matches. While his best figures were 4/11, he also had a total of three four-wicket hauls in his career. Afridi’s economy of 6.61 shows that he was restrictive as he bowled fast leg-spin that engaged batters.
5. Saeed Ajmal – 85 Wickets
Saeed Ajmal averaged 17.83 and struck at 16.82 and many feel he was one of the best off-spinners produced in Pakistan. He took 85 wickets in 64 matches and had four occasions of taking four wickets in an innings with a best of 4/19, and was an ever-present threat to top order batters irrespective of the conditions.
6. Umar Gul – 85 Wickets
Umar Gul shares that 85 wickets came from 60 games, which also equal Ajmal. Gul operated with his lethal yorkers, especially in the death overs, and is a paragon of the T20 game. Gul’s best figures of 5/6 and a best performance of 6 runs conceded for the game stands as one of the most iconic spells and best performances by a Pakistani in T20 history. He finished with four four-wicket hauls and two five-fors and stunningly good enough to rip through line-ups.
7. Imad Wasim – 73 Wickets
Imad Wasim, the left-arm spinner has been understatedly effective for Pakistan. In 75 game matches, he acquired 73 wickets with a best of 5/14. His economy of 6.20 stands out as some of the best having bowled on the whole inside the powerplay as frequently as he did. He has one four-for and one five-for.
8. Mohammad Amir – 71 Wickets
Amir’s 71 wickets in 62 matches came with accuracy and pace. His best figures are 4/13, and his economy of 7.07 remains respectable. While he didn’t manage a five-wicket haul, Amir’s ability to strike early made him a key bowler in high-pressure games.
9. Hasan Ali – 68 Wickets
Hasan Ali is electrified and aggressive while on the scene. In a total of 54 matches, he has a wicket tally of 68 wickets. His best performance is a 5/30, which represents his match-winning ability. Hasan Ali is complete with one five-for, one four-for and a strike rate of 16.01, making him one of the most attacking bowlers on this list.
10. Mohammad Hafeez – 61 Wickets
While Mohammad Hafeez is mostly known for his batting he also bowled well. In 119 matches, his bowling records included 61 wickets (best: 4/10) with an economy of 6.60, making him one of the most economical bowlers in T20I cricket, and he took many key wickets.
Conclusion
The names above are not only expressive of talent but also of consistency. As represented by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi’s express pace or Shadab Khan’s and Ajmal’s skilful spin, these four bowlers are the benchmark in T20Is, and as a result, Pakistan have had too many of success in the format. Each one brought different attributes and strength, whether it was economy, strike rate or ability to withstand the high-pressure situations.
It’s unlikely that this number one position will be held but will vary our records in the future, however, the quadrants will be remembered, an important part of the very construction of Pakistan’s bowling history in T20Is.
FAQs: Most Wickets for Pakistan in T20Is
Q: Who has the most wickets for Pakistan in T20 Internationals?
Haris Rauf is first on the list with 119 wickets in T20Is for Pakistan.
Q: Which spinner has taken the Most Wickets for Pakistan in T20Is?
Shadab Khan is the leading spinner and has 112 wickets, for the most wickets in T20Is.
Q: Who is the only Pakistani bowler with multiple five-wicket hauls in T20Is?
Umar Gul is the only bowler in T20Is for Pakistan with two five-wicket hauls.
