Best bowling figures in T20I cricket

The 2024 T20 World Cup Asia Regional Qualifier B match between Malaysia and China saw pacer Syazrul Idrus claim a world record, producing the best figures in a T20I match. While the shortest format more often than not is deemed to be the batter’s game, bowlers are often under pressure to bring out their A-game to help their side shift the momentum. Numerous bowlers have produced some match-winning bowling figures, and on that note, we take a look at the best three bowling figures in the T20I history-

3) 6/7 in 3.2 overs, Deepak Chahar | vs Bangladesh | 2019

The third T20I match in Bangladesh’s tour of India in 2019 saw pacer Deepak Chahar’s magnificence. At first, team India posted a competitive 174 in their stipulated 20 overs. What followed was a solid performance by Chahar with the ball, who got a six-for in 3.2 overs, giving just seven runs at a brilliant economy of 2.10. His magnificent outing with the ball earned him the Player of the match in India’s 30-run win.

2) 6/5 in 3.4 overs, Peter Aho | vs Sierra Leone | 2021

Nigeria’s Peter Aho produced a stellar performance in the fifth T20I against Sierra Leone in 2021. After Nigeria posted a paltry 90 in 17.4 overs, Aho simply sliced through the batting order, breaking the backbone of Sierra Leone’s line-up. Courtesy of his six-wicket haul for just five runs in his 3.4 overs, Nigeria restricted the rival unit for 71 runs, thereby winning the low-scoring contest by 19 runs.

1) 7/8 in 4 overs, Syazrul Idrus | vs China | 2023 

Syazrul Idrus etched his name in history as he produced the best bowling figures in the history of T20Is against China during a qualifier match for the T20 World Cup 2024. The seamer recorded the first-ever seven-wicket haul in T20Is, giving away just a solitary run in his 1.2 overs. His jaw-dropping efforts with the ball restricted China to a meagre 23 runs before Malaysia comfortably won the contest by eight wickets.