Remarkable performances from bowlers marked the T20I format in 2024. Major tournaments like the T20 World Cup and Women’s Asia Cup showcased the exceptional skills of bowlers who rose to the occasion for their respective sides. This article highlights the leading wicket-takers in T20Is from full member nations.
Leading wicket-takers in T20Is in 2024:
1) Sadia Iqbal – 30 wickets
Pakistan’s off-spinner Sadia Iqbal emerged as the leading wicket-taker in T20Is, claiming 30 wickets in 19 matches at an economy rate of 5.86. During the five-match T20I series against the West Indies, Sadia scalped seven wickets, making her Pakistan’s top wicket-taker in the series. She continued her excellent form during the Women’s Asia Cup, taking eight wickets in four matches, including a remarkable 4/16 against Sri Lanka in the group stage. This performance made her the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker. Sadia also excelled in Pakistan’s home series against South Africa in September 2024, where she claimed six wickets, and in the first T20I finished with figures of 3/34. In the 2024 World Cup, she added six more wickets to her tally.
2) Deepti Sharma – 30 wickets
India’s off-spinner Deepti Sharma ended the year as the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Sadia Iqbal, taking 30 wickets in 23 matches. In India’s home series against Australia, Deepti picked up five wickets in three matches and carried her brilliant form into the Women’s Asia Cup, where she claimed 10 wickets, including two three-wicket hauls against Pakistan and Nepal, respectively. Deepti also made an impact in the World Cup, taking four wickets in four games.
3) Afy Fletcher – 29 wickets
West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher was another standout performer with the ball, claiming 29 wickets in 16 matches. She was the leading wicket-taker in the T20I leg of the West Indies’ tour of Pakistan in April 2024, where she took 10 wickets, including a match-winning 3/17 in the fifth T20I. Fletcher continued her dominance in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, taking eight wickets in three matches. Her best performance came in the second T20I, where she finished with figures of 4/23, earning her the Player of the Match award. Fletcher displayed remarkable consistency in the 2024 World Cup, claiming 10 wickets, including two three-wicket hauls against Scotland and England, making her the leading wicket-taker for the West Indies and the tournament’s third-highest overall.
4) Melie Kerr – 29 wickets
New Zealand’s all-rounder Melie Kerr claimed 29 wickets in 18 matches at an economy rate of 6.81. Her most impactful performance came in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, where she was the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets in five matches. Kerr delivered a crucial spell in the final against South Africa, finishing with figures of 3/24, which earned her both the Player of the Match award in the final and the Player of the Series accolade. Her all-round contributions were pivotal in New Zealand’s maiden T20 World Cup triumph.
5) Radha Yadav – 29 wickets
Indian spinner Radha Yadav had an exceptional year, taking 29 wickets in 17 matches. She was relentless in the five-match T20I series against Bangladesh, claiming 10 wickets. Radha continued to shine during India’s home series against South Africa, picking up six wickets. She also delivered consistent performances in the Women’s Asia Cup, taking six wickets.
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