Top 5 T20I bowling performances of 2021

#3 Dwaine Pretorius - 5/17 vs Pakistan (2nd T20I, Lahore)

South African pacer Dwaine Pretorius. Pic: Getty Images

Medium-pacer Dwaine Pretorius registered the best figures by a South African in T20Is in the second game of the three-match series in Lahore. Pretorius claimed 5/17, bettering Ryan McLaren’s 5 for 19 against West Indies at North Sound in May 2010. South Africa fielded first after winning the toss, and Pretorius’ record-breaking performance justified the decision.

Pretorius began by trapping Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (5) lbw with one that nipped back in sharply. He returned in the second half of the innings and had Iftikhar Ahmed (20) caught off a smart slower ball. Pretorius also ended Mohammad Rizwan’s (51) resistance with another slower one that the opener could only chip to long-off. Khushdil Shah (15) was caught behind off a wide yorker, while Mohammad Nawaz (0) was cleaned up with a pacy delivery.

Pakistan could never get any rhythm going into their innings and were restricted to 144 for 7 in the T20I. South Africa eased to victory with six wickets and 22 balls to spare as Reeza Hendricks and Pite van Biljon contributed 42 each.

---

#2 Shaheen Shah Afridi - 3/31 vs India (Match 16 of T20 World Cup, Dubai)

Shaheen Afridi celebrates the wicket of Virat Kohli during the T20 World Cup. Pic: Getty Images

There was plenty of hype surrounding the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2021 encounter in Dubai, as there always is. The build-up to the match centred around how India had never lost a World Cup clash to Pakistan. Incredibly, Shaheen Shah Afridi literally killed the contest with two lethal deliveries in what was arguably the spell of the tournament.

Pakistan bowled first after winning the toss and Afridi sent back Rohit Sharma for a golden duck with an unplayable full-length delivery. The well-directed ball curved in late and caught Rohit right in front of the stumps. KL Rahul (3) was then cleaned up with an express delivery which was past him even as he was trying to figure out what shot to play. At the start of the third over, India were 2 for 6.

The batting side launched a mini-fightback courtesy skipper Virat Kohli (57) and Rishabh Pant (39). Afridi returned at the death to have Kohli caught behind with a slower bouncer. India were restricted to 151 for 7, and unbeaten fifties from Azam and Rizwan lifted Pakistan to an unforgettable 10-wicket triumph.

---

#1 Josh Hazlewood - 3/16 vs New Zealand (T20 World Cup Final, Dubai)

Josh Hazlewood celebrates the wicket of Daryl Mitchell in the T20 World Cup final. Pic: Getty Images

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood rounded off a memorable T20 World Cup with a sparkling performance in the final against New Zealand in Dubai. He conceded only 16 runs in four overs and picked up key wickets of Daryl Mitchell (11) and opposition skipper Kane Williamson (85).

After Australia invited the Kiwis to bat, Hazlewood struck the first blow by having Mitchell caught behind off a leg-cutter. The Aussie pacer kept things extremely tight and did not give away any freebies. He then returned towards the end to ensure the Kiwis did not finish with a flourish.

After the loss of early wickets, Williamson played a spectacular knock to bring New Zealand back in the contest. He found some support from Glenn Phillips, who was beginning to get into his groove. However, Hazlewood dismissed both batters in the 18th over. Phillips holed out to deep midwicket for 18, while Williamson was caught at long-off.

Despite Hazlewood’s fine bowling effort, Australia were set a competitive 173 to lift their maiden men’s T20 World Cup. Mitchell Marsh (77* off 50) and David Warner (53 off 38) guided them to glory as Australia registered a thumping eight-wicket win.