In a format designed for batters, five-wicket hauls are cricket’s ultimate bowling statement. Twenty overs leave little room for error, and opportunities to claim five wickets are even rarer. Yet across the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup, seven bowlers have managed to produce spells so dominant that they not only changed matches but earned a permanent place in tournament folklore.
With Deepti Sharma becoming the latest entrant to this exclusive club during the 2026 edition, here’s a look back at every five-wicket haul ever recorded at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
1. Deandra Dottin (West Indies): 5/5 vs Bangladesh, 2018
The most devastating spell in Women’s T20 World Cup history belongs to Deandra Dottin. Known globally for her power-hitting, Dottin showcased her often underrated bowling skills against Bangladesh in Providence during the 2018 tournament. West Indies had managed just 106 on a challenging surface, leaving little margin for error. What followed was extraordinary.
Dottin ripped through Bangladesh’s batting order, removing key players including Nigar Sultana and Rumana Ahmed, and finished with astonishing figures of 5/5 in 3.4 overs. Bangladesh were bundled out for just 46, handing West Indies a commanding 60-run victory. Nearly a decade later, it remains the most economical five-wicket haul ever recorded at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
2. Suné Luus (South Africa): 5/8 vs Ireland, 2016
South Africa captain Suné Luus produced a leg-spin masterclass on the turning tracks of Chennai in 2016. After South Africa posted 156, Ireland needed a strong start to stay in the contest. Instead, Luus took complete control. Mixing flight, drift and sharp turn, she dismantled the middle order and prevented any momentum from building during the chase.
Among her victims were experienced campaigners Cecilia Joyce and Kim Garth as she finished with remarkable figures of 5/8 from four overs. Ireland never recovered and South Africa cruised to a 67-run victory, with Luus delivering one of the finest spin-bowling displays the tournament has ever witnessed.
3. Deepti Sharma (India): 5/10 vs Pakistan, 2026
Some performances carry extra weight because of the occasion. Deepti Sharma’s 5-fer against Pakistan arrived in one of the biggest fixtures in world cricket. India had posted 170/6 and Pakistan began positively and reached 52/1 inside the powerplay. The game still felt alive, then Deepti took over.
Using subtle changes of pace and immaculate control, the Indian all-rounder squeezed the life out of Pakistan’s chase. She removed Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Aliya Riaz, Nashra Sandhu and Tasmia Rubab, finishing with career-best figures of 5/10 from four overs. Pakistan collapsed to 106 all out, handing India a commanding 64-run victory. The spell became the best bowling figures by an Indian woman in Women’s T20 World Cup history and further strengthened Deepti’s reputation as one of the game’s premier big-match performers.
4. Ashleigh Gardner (Australia): 5/12 vs New Zealand, 2023
Australia’s dominance of world cricket has often been built around players capable of taking games away in a matter of overs. Ashleigh Gardner did exactly that against New Zealand in Paarl. After Australia piled up 173, Gardner unleashed a devastating spell of off-spin that completely dismantled the White Ferns. She removed key batters, including Amelia Kerr, before running through the lower order to finish with figures of 5/12.
New Zealand were bowled out for just 76 as Australia completed a crushing 97-run victory. It remains one of the most dominant all-round team performances in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
5. Renuka Singh Thakur (India): 5/15 vs England, 2023
In Gqeberha, the Indian fast bowler produced a sensational exhibition of swing bowling, removing Danni Wyatt, Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley as England’s star-studded batting lineup struggled to cope.
Renuka finished with outstanding figures of 5/15 from four overs and almost single-handedly kept India in the contest. However, despite restricting England to 151, India’s chase fell agonisingly short by 11 runs, making hers the only five-wicket haul in Women’s T20 World Cup history to come in a losing cause.
6. Priyanka Roy (India): 5/16 vs Pakistan, 2009
The first Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009 produced India’s first entry into the record books. Facing Pakistan at Taunton, leg-spinner Priyanka Roy delivered a clinical spell that completely strangled the scoring rate. Her variations and accuracy proved too much for Pakistan’s batting lineup as she claimed 5/16.
Pakistan managed only 75 runs, and India made light work of the chase, cruising to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory. More than 15 years later, Roy’s performance remains one of the defining bowling displays from the tournament’s early years.
7. Julie Hunter (Australia): 5/22 vs West Indies, 2012
Five-wicket hauls are special. Five-wicket hauls in World Cup semifinals are even rarer. Australian seamer Julie Hunter delivered hers in Colombo during the 2012 semi-final against West Indies. Defending a modest total of 115, Australia needed someone to step up, and Hunter answered the call.
She dismissed the dangerous Stafanie Taylor and repeatedly struck at crucial moments, preventing West Indies from building partnerships. Her figures of 5/22 helped Australia secure a 28-run victory and book their place in the final.
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