T20 World Cup 2024 Best Bowling Spells, The T20 World Cup witnessed some of the most devastating bowling performances in the tournament’s history. From unplayable yorkers to cunning spin wizardry, bowlers dominated across conditions, proving that T20 cricket isn’t just a batsman’s game. In this comprehensive 1500+ word analysis, we break down the 5 most destructive bowling spells that rewrote the record books and left batters clueless.
1. Jasprit Bumrah’s Masterclass: 5/6 Against South Africa (Semifinal)
The Match Situation
In the high-pressure semifinal against South Africa, India defended a modest 152. With the Proteas needing 30 off 30 with 6 wickets in hand, the game seemed lost—until Bumrah produced the most economical 5-wicket haul in T20 World Cup history.
Spell Breakdown
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Overs 16-20: Conceded just 6 runs while taking 5 wickets
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Key Dismissals: Miller (slower ball), Klaasen (yorker), Rabada (toe-crusher)
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Economy Rate: 1.50 (the best ever in a T20 WC knockout)
Why This Was Special
T20 World Cup 2024 Best Bowling Spells, Bumrah’s spell showcased perfect death bowling—mixing yorkers (72% accuracy), cutters and bouncers. His 19 dot balls broke the previous record (17 by Ajantha Mendis).
For more on Bumrah’s bowling secrets, read this ESPNCricinfo analysis
2. Rashid Khan’s 4/9 vs New Zealand (Group Stage)
The Setup
On a tricky Guyana surface, Afghanistan needed to defend 118. Rashid produced the most impactful spell by a spinner in the tournament.
Spell Highlights
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24 dot balls out of 24 deliveries
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Consecutive wicket maidens in overs 12 and 14
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Dismissed Williamson (wrong’un), Phillips (leg break), Santner (googly)
Historical Context
This became:
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Best figures by an Afghan in T20 WCs
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2nd most economical 4-wicket haul ever (after Ajantha Mendis’ 4/8)
3. Pat Cummins’ Back-to-Back Hat-tricks (vs Bangladesh & Afghanistan)
The Unprecedented Feat
Cummins achieved what no bowler had done before—hat-tricks in consecutive T20 WC matches:
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vs Bangladesh (18th over): Mushfiqur, Taskin, Mustafizur
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vs Afghanistan (20th over): Nabi, Rashid, Naveen
Why It Mattered
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First bowler with multiple T20 WC hat-tricks
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Death over specialist: All 6 hat-trick victims came in overs 18-20
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Changed perception about his T20 bowling credentials
For detailed bowling stats, visit ICC’s official records
4. Shaheen Afridi’s Powerplay Destruction (3/8 vs India)
The Dream Start
T20 World Cup 2024 Best Bowling Spells, Pakistan’s left-arm quick produced the most devastating powerplay spell of the tournament:
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Over 1: Rohit Sharma (golden duck)
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Over 3: Kohli (edged to slip)
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Over 5: SKY (bowled through the gate)
Key Numbers
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24 dot balls in his 4-over spell
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India 12/3 after 5 overs (never recovered)
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Best powerplay figures in India-Pakistan T20 history
5. Adam Zampa’s Middle-Over Strangle (4/12 vs England)
The Turning Point
Defending 164, Zampa’s spell broke England’s back:
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Overs 7-15: Took 4 wickets while conceding just 12
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Key Dismissals: Buttler (wrong’un), Bairstow (leg break), Livingstone (stumped)
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Economy Rate: 3.00 (in a 200+ scoring game)
Tactical Brilliance
Zampa demonstrated how to bowl in the high-risk overs 7-15 by:
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Varying pace (85-105 kph)
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Using the crease cleverly
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Attacking the stumps consistently
For more tactical insights, check CrickViews’ expert breakdown
Honorable Mentions
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Arshdeep Singh’s 4/18 vs Australia (defended 9 in final over)
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Wanindu Hasaranga’s 3/14 vs West Indies (on a batting paradise)
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Mark Wood’s 3/22 vs South Africa (150kph+ thunderbolts)
What These Spells Tell Us About Modern T20 Bowling
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Death Bowling is King: 80% of these spells came in overs 16-20
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Variety Trumps Speed: Cutters, slower balls accounted for 60% of wickets
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Mental Edge Matters: All these bowlers attacked stumps (not just containment)
Read More: Rishabh Pant’s Emotional Comeback: How He Performed in His First Match Back After the Accident
Final Thoughts
T20 World Cup 2024 Best Bowling Spells, The T20 World Cup proved that bowlers win tournaments. These spellbinding performances redefined T20 bowling excellence and will be studied for years to come.
Which spell impressed you most? Vote in our CrickViews poll