5 highest wicket takers in T20 Internationals in 2017

No one wants to be a bowler in today's world. The game has tilted heavily towards the batsmen with the advent of bigger bats, smaller grounds and flat tracks.The bowlers have to be consistently on their toes to have any chance of returning respectable figures in any match.

With the advent of T20s the bowlers have had to face an even harder time with the batsmen consistently looking to hit the big shots. However, the best bowlers always find a way out in difficult circumstances. They always have some tricks up their sleeve to bamboozle the batsmen. So who are the best bowlers in T20s this year? Let us have a look.

Here is the list of top 5 wicket takers in T20s this year:

#5 Imran Tahir

A late bloomer, this wily leg-spinner from South Africa has made rapid strides since making his debut in the 2011 World Cup. Tahir is mightily effective in the limited overs format with his range of variations while his celebrations after picking up a wicket are a treat to watch for all cricket fans.

Tahir had a wonderful year in T20s this year, picking up 14 wickets in the 9 matches he has played this year. He has also picked up a five-for on the way- a stellar performance considering a bowler only has 4 overs at his disposal.

He would be looking to continue his wonderful performance in 2018 as well.

#4 Shadab Khan

Shadab Khan is Pakistan's best limited overs spin bowler today.

In a list dominated by leg-spinners, Pakistani bowler Shadab Khan makes his entry at the number 4 position. This young leg-spinner, born in 1998, caught the eye of selectors in the U-19 World Cup in 2016 and there has been no looking back since.

Unlike some of his counterparts, Shadab Khan is more of a traditional spinner- he relies on his drift and loop to deceive the batsmen.

He picked up 14 wickets in the 10 T20 internationals that he played this year which included a four wicket haul against the West Indies. He also boasts of the great economy- 6.50.

This young spinner would be looking to make giant strides in 2018.

#3 Kesrick Williams

Kesrick Williams

West Indies' Kesrick Williams is at the number 3 spot, and the only pace bowler on the list. Despite being on the fringes of the national team, he could never cement his place in the side.

However, he forced his way back into the national team after a string of impressive performances in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League and has been an integral part of the West Indies T20 team since then.

He had a wonderful 2017 as he took 17 wickets from the 9 matches he played with best bowling figures of 3/11. He also had the best strike rate of anybody in the top 5, at 11.1.

#2 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is Afghanistan's best bowler.

The fairytale story of Afghanistan's rise in the world of cricket has been possible due to the superlative performances of their young leg-spinner Rashid Khan. This wily spinner made his debut for the national team as a 17-year-old, and since then he has been an integral part of their line-up.

Not a big turner of the ball, he bowls stump to stump putting the batsmen under pressure and deceives them with a prodigious googly that he possesses.

He finished the year with 17 wickets in the 10 matches he played picking up a five wicket haul on the way. His best figures of the year came against Ireland, where he picked up 5 wickets giving away just 3 runs. He picked up those wickets giving away just 4.57 runs an over-an astounding performance, especially in T20s.

This young leg-spinner would be looking for huge scalps in 2018 as well.

#1 Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is T20s leading wicket taker this year.

Yuzvendra Chahal from India is at the top of the list in T20s this year. This leg spinner from India is very accurate with line and length and is not afraid to toss the ball up.

A former chess player, he is able to anticipate what the batsmen are going to do and adjusts accordingly. It is a testament to his qualities that he has been able to keep out Ravichandran Ashwin away from Team India's limited overs line-up.

Chahal had a wonderful year, picking up 19 wickets in the 10 matches he played this year. His best performance of the year came against England, where he returned with figures of 6/25. With two matches to go this year he would be looking to increase his lead at the top of the pile.