The ICC T20I World Cup 2026 was supposed to be a tournament where the score should have touched 300. Before the tournament everyone was worried about the bowlers but the ICC has done a tremendous job in ensuring that the pitches have been sporting offering both batters and bowlers something to work with. The bowlers have enjoyed getting swing and spin across all the 8 pitches. This has resulted in some special performances.
Let’s look at the Top 5 Bowling Performances in Group Stages of ICC T20I World Cup 2026
Romario Shepherd vs Scotland
The bowler who has taken a 5 Wicket Haul in a T20I Match has to be number 1 in this list. Romario Shepherd took 5 wickets for just 29 runs against Scotland. The West Indies have been unbeaten in this tournament. He dismissed Brandon McMullen, Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson and Safyaan Sharif. Romario Shepherd is a handy all rounder but this was his best performance. He also took the first hat trick of this ICC T20I World Cup in this match. He has variations which he used including the slower ball and the fast delivery.
Shadley Van Schalkwyk vs India
This bowler from the USA team is the leading Wicket Taker so far with 13 Wickets. His best performance came in the first match against India. He took 4 wickets for just 25 runs against the defending champions. He dismissed Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh in this match. Shadley Van Schalkwyk has taken 3 wickets on an average per match in this tournament. He is a left handed fast bowler who can bowl the yorker and the slower balls effectively. Although the USA lost the match, he made a name for himself.
Mohammad Nabi vs Canada
Mohammad Nabi was in the form of his life in the match against Canada for Afghanistan. He took 4 wickets for just 7 runs in his spell of spin bowling. He was getting turned and bounced on the pitch. He took the wickets of the centurion Yuvraj Samra, Nicholas Kirton, Harsh Thaker and Shreyas Movva. Mohammad Nabi has played almost all the T20I Matches for Afghanistan. They are out of the World Cup and they gave a fitting farewell to their coach Jonathan Trott. Mohammad Nabi is one of the best all rounders in World cricket.
Usman Tariq vs Namibia
Usman Tariq is the most unique bowler to play international cricket. He is someone who pauses before bowling each ball in the World Cup. He has strong hands and he bowls at a slower pace compared to the other spinners. He has taken at least 1 wicket in the last 24 T20Is for Pakistan. He took 4 wickets for 16 runs in the must win match against Namibia. He dismissed Nikolaas Davin, Gerhard Erasnus, Jan Frykinck and Mohammad Mohsin. Usman Tariq ensured that Pakistan would be in the Super 8s of this tournament.
Varun Chakravarthy vs Netherlands
It was the last group match for India in this World Cup. They made 193 and while chasing Netherlands got off to a good start. Varun Chakravarthy was introduced and the number 1 bowler in the world showed why he is so skilled. He took 3 Wickets for just 14 runs in a match where 170 was the average score. He took the wickets of Max O’Dowd, Bas De Leede and the captain Scott Edwards. Varun Chakravarthy will be an important bowler for India in Super 8s. He gets most of his wickets via bowled or LBW.
