Top 10 bowling performances in T20 World Cup

The T20 format was initially considered a nightmare for bowlers, but eventually bowlers have adapted well to the format and bowlers play a huge role in winning matches. Here are the collection of the top 10 bowling performances in T20 World Cups ( from 2007 to 2010).

10: Mark Gillespie(New Zealand) : 4/7 (2.5 overs) against Kenya in Group stages of 2007 T20 WC

Mark Gillespie of New Zealand dismantled Kenya with his swing and pace. Kenya were all-out for a total of 73 in 16.5 overs. Gillespie bagged the second best figures in T20 World Cup with this performance.

9: Daniel Vettori (New Zealand): 4/20 ( 4 overs) against India in the Super 8s of the 2007 T20 WC

On an excellent batting track at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, Vettori produced a superb spell to defeat India. India while chasing 191 looked very well in control with openers Sehwag and Gambhir putting up a good opening stand, but Vettori came in to the action and bowled economically to contain India. He took four important wickets and just gave away 20 runs in his 4 overs.

8: WD Parnell (South Africa) : 4/13 (4 overs) against West Indies in the Super 8s of the 2009 T20 WC

On a very good batting track and against T20 players like Gayle, Pollard and Bravo, Parnell produced a match-winning performance. His fiery spell enabled South Africa to win the match easily. He had an economy rate of 3.25 in the match, which is splendid in T20s.

7: Stuart Clark (Australia) : 4/20 ( 4 overs) against Sri Lanka in the Super 8s of the 2007 T20 WC

Clark with his swinging medium pacers dismantled Sri Lanka, as Sri Lanka were restricted to just 101. Clark bowled brilliantly to dismantle the middle order. This win against Sri Lanka booked the place for Australia in the semis.

6: S.Sreesanth (India) : 2/12 ( 4 overs) against Australia in the semis of the 2007 T20 WC

Indian cricket fans can never forget the celebration of Sreesanth in this match after he bowled Hayden with a superb delivery. In a high-scoring match and that too in a semifinal, Sreesanth produced his best performance where he bowled an excellent spell of four overs just giving away 12 runs. His bowling performance enabled India to reach the final and eventually they won the World Cup.

video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbjcH1V24pI&feature=g-hist

5: A. Mendis (Sri Lanka) : 3/9 ( 3 overs) against New Zealand in Super 8′s of 2009 T20 WC

The mystery spinner from Lanka showed his magic with the ball against the Kiwis. He cleaned up the Kiwis’ middle order with his mystery balls and Kiwi batsman had no answers for his spin. With his bowling performance in this match, Mendis booked the place for Sri Lanka in the semis.

4: N.Bracken (Australia) : 3/16 ( 4 overs) against England in the groups stage of 2007 T20 WC

Bracken bowled a superb spell against their Ashes rivals England to seal the victory for Australia. Bracken bowled controlled line and length and troubled the likes of Flintoff, Pietersen, Collingwood etc. This performance with the ball also won him the man of the match award in that match.

Now come the top 3:

3. I. Pathan ( India) : 3/16 (4 overs) against Pakistan in final of 2007 T20 WC

Pathan bowled the spell of his life which enabled India win the World Cup. He bagged the important wickets of Afridi, Malik and also controlled the flow of runs. His economical bowling enabled India win the first T20 WC. He won the match of the match award for this excellent bowling performance.

2: RP Singh (India) : 4/13 (4 overs) against South Africa in super 8s of 2007 T20 WC

RP Singh was at his best in this match. He bowled with superb pace and swing as he dismantled South Africa which eventually eliminated the home team form the tournament. He was bowling superb in swingers at 90mph. This is the best performance by an Indian bowler at a T20 WC.

Video links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bPWhUAgWu0&feature=g-hist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co0KHP6G7Mg&feature=g-hist

1: Umar Gul ( Pakistan): 5/6 ( 3 overs) against New Zealand in Super 8s of the 2009 T20 WC

Taking a five-wicket haul that too in a T20 game is special; Gul became the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a T20 innings. He cleaned up the Kiwi batsmen with reverse swing. It was extraordinary to reverse swing a ball that was just 10 overs old. The Kiwis were all out for just 99, and Pakistan chased down the total easily. This is surely the best bowling performance in the T20 World Cups until now.

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbjcH1V24pI&feature=g-hist

Some more good performances which nearly missed the list are M.Asif’s 4/18 (4 overs) against India in 2007 T20 WC, D.Nannes 4/18 against Bangladesh in 2010 WC, Broad 2/21 against Sri Lanka in the semis of 2010 T20 WC.