Five star bowlers set to make their mark at T20 World Cup

Virtually everyone is talking up the importance of spin bowling heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Most fans understand the role slow bowlers play in the shorter white ball format, along with the success spinners normally enjoy in subcontinent conditions.

The tournament therefore culminates in what promises to be a spin bowling melting pot, from the opener on February 7 right through to the Final on March 9.

The adverse effect of broad anticipation that spin will dominate the World Cup is that quality fast bowling, and the impact it could have throughout the tournament, is potentially going under-acknowledged.

If a commodity is in scarce supply, the price of its premium assets rises sharply.

Different bowling disciplines at the T20 World Cup are set to create all kinds of talking points.

But one thing is for sure: quality bowlers, of all types, are not in short supply at this pinnacle ICC event.

Here are five bowlers set to make their mark in India and Sri Lanka. Spoiler alert: spinners dominate this list.

Adil Rashid (England)

ICC T20I Ranking: 4th

Rashid has been at the top of his game in this format for quite some time, proving he’s been able to adapt and evolve like few others, but also produce with rare consistency.

His nickname ‘Hoover’, for his ability to clean up opposition lower orders, sells him short. The veteran, who turns 38 this month, brings his A-game no matter who is facing up.

Nobody has sent down more deliveries in the history of T20I cricket (2852 balls) and only five bowlers have taken more wickets than his 150 scalps at international T20 level.

That experience will be huge for an English side that are considered one of the World Cup’s true heavyweights.

Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan)

ICC T20I Ranking: 2nd

Wickets, and send offs, have been in hot supply for Abrar Ahmed heading into the tournament.

He tore Australia to smithereens recently, taking 6/42 from 10 overs across their three-game series whitewash on home soil. Those spells were devastating, proving almost unplayable, as he helped swing the odds in his side’s favour in all three affairs, particularly in the first two games when the series was still up for grabs.

Only five bowlers taking part in the T20 World Cup possess a better T20I average than the 27-year-old (17.15) who still has so much cricket in front of him.

Abrar is not short on confidence and that ever-present swagger makes him and Pakistan’s games a must-watch proposition, including in the tournament opener against the Netherlands.

Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

ICC T20I Ranking: 6th

The hopes of the co-hosts rest on the output of their spearhead spin option Wanindu Hasaranga. The 28-year-old leggy went wicketless in two recent appearances against England, resulting in defeats for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga is the team’s yardstick performer – if he misfires, the side likely does too.

The right-armer has the second-most LBW wickets in T20I history (36), behind only Rashid Khan (49). On home soil, expect his subtle variations to put plenty of batters in a blender.

Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)

ICC T20I Ranking: 5th

You’re forgiven for not knowing that the Black Caps’ right arm opener is the ICC’s top-ranked T20I fast bowler, perched at fifth on a portion of the list dominated by spinners. He is one of only two inside the top 10 of that category.

Duffy has taken four-plus wickets on five separate occasions in T20Is. If the 31-year-old can catch fire in the Powerplay against one of the Black Caps’ top-line Group D opponents, it will go along way to helping New Zealand return to the knockout stage for the first time since 2022.

Varun Chakaravarthy (India)

ICC T20I Ranking: 1st

Last but obviously not least is the ICC’s top-ranked T20I bowler, whose breakout story is tracking towards folklore proportions given how well he’s making up for lost time. Now 34, He made his big time arrival at last year’s Champions Trophy, where he began as an unexpected squad inclusion to undroppable contributor, taking five wickets on debut and then two scalps in the Final.

The Karnataka product hasn’t gone wicketless in 13 games in which he bowled, and counting.

His production under the bright lights of last year’s Champions Trophy suggest this showpiece event won’t be too big for the wrist spinner.

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