Top 5 Most Wickets Takers in the ICC World Cup History

With every ICC World Cup comes the fierce competition among bowlers to claim the most wickets and etch their names in cricketing history. From unforgiving bouncers to cunning spin deliveries, these maestros of the ball have left batsmen trembling in their wake. As we embark on a journey through the annals of this prestigious tournament, let us uncover the Top 5 Most Wickets Takers in the ICC World Cup History who have taken centre stage with their impeccable skills and unwavering determination.

Top 5 Most Wickets Takers in the ICC World Cup History

The list of the Top 5 Most Wickets Takers in the ICC World Cup History is an intriguing one. It showcases the immense talent and skill that bowlers possess to consistently take wickets on the biggest stage of cricket.

Sr.no	Player name
1	Glenn McGrath
2	Muttiah Muralitharan
3	Lasith Malinga
4	Wasim Akram
5	Mitchell Starc
6	Chaminda Vaas
7	Zaheer Khan
8	Javagal Srinath
9	Imran Tahir
10	Trent Boult

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc. Known for his lethal left-arm bowling, Starc has displayed his ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver precise yorkers with fantastic accuracy. With a total of 49 wickets from 18 matches across two World Cup tournaments (2015 and 2019), Starc has proven to be a force to be reckoned with.

What sets Starc apart from other bowlers is not just his raw pace but also his versatility. He can bowl at different stages of an innings – upfront, during the middle overs, or even in powerplay situations. His aggressive approach often puts pressure on batsmen and leads them to make mistakes. It is no surprise that he holds the record for taking the greatest number of wickets in a single edition of the ICC World Cup, having taken 27 scalps in the 2015 edition.

Born	30 January 1990
Age	30
Nickname	None
Height	1.97 m
Batting	Left-handed
Role	Bowler
Nation	Australia

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram is undoubtedly one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, and his performances in ICC World Cups are a testament to his skill and dominance. With 55 wickets under his belt, Akram holds the record for the most wickets taken in World Cup history. His ability to swing the ball both ways at high speeds made him a nightmare for batsmen all over the world.

Akram’s outstanding performance came in the 1992 World Cup when he took 18 wickets, playing an instrumental role in Pakistan’s title win. He showcased remarkable variations, combining pace with accuracy to deceive batsmen consistently. Even on flat tracks where other bowlers struggled, Akram managed to extract movement and troubled even the best of batsmen with his bowling prowess.

Born	3 June 1966
Nickname	Sultan of Swing
Age	57
Height	1.88 m
Batting	Left-handed
Role	Bowler
Nation	Pakistan

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan right-arm fast bowler, has been a formidable force in the ICC World Cup history. Known for his unorthodox sling-arm action and deadly Yorkers, Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals and holds a prominent place on the list of most successful bowlers in the World Cup. With 56 wickets to his name across four tournaments (2007-2019), Malinga’s ability to consistently produce breakthroughs makes him an invaluable assert for his team.

Born	28 August 1983
Age	40
Nickname	Slinga Malinga, Yorker King, Kagawena, Mali, Rathgama Express
Height	1.73m
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Bowler
Nation	Srilanka

Muttiah Muralitharan

One name stands out as a prolific wicket-taker who bamboozled batsmen with his unorthodox spin: Muttiah Muralitharan. The Sri Lankan legend etched his name in cricketing folklore by taking an astounding 68 wickets across four World Cup campaigns. Known for his unplayable doosras and tantalizing off-spinners, Muralitharan was a nightmare for many renowned batsmen.

What made Murlitharan’s performances even more remarkable was his ability to excel on any surface, under any circumstances. Whether it was dustbowls in the subcontinent or seaming tracks in England, he always found ways to take wickets and stifle oppositions’ batting lineups.

One particular delivery that will forever be etched in cricketing memory is the Murali ball, which spun viciously from outside leg stump to hit off stump an absolute nightmare for any batsman.

Born	17 April 1972
Age	51
Nickname	Murali
Height	1.70 m
Batting	Right-handed.
Role	Bowler
Nation	Siri Lanka

Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath is undeniably one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, and his exceptional performances in the ICC World Cup only solidify this claim. With a staggering 71 wickets, McGrath holds the record for the most wickets taken in World Cup history. What makes his achievement even more remarkable is his average of just 18.19 runs per wicket, which showcases not only his ability to take wickets but also his efficiency in doing so.

What sets McGrath apart from others is his incredible consistency throughout multiple World Cups. He played in four editions of the tournament and managed to be among the top five wicket-takers each time, including being the highest wicket-taker in two successive World Cups (1999 and 2003). His disciplined line and length coupled with sharp seam movement made him a nightmare for batsmen, particularly on pitches that provided assistance to pace bowlers.

Born	9 February 1970
Age	53
Nickname	Pigeon
Height	1.96m
Batting	Right-handed
Role	Bowler
Nation	Australia

Conclusion

In above we have discussed Top 5 Most Wickets Takers in the ICC World Cup History. The ICC World Cup has witnessed some outstanding performances by bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the tournament’s history. From Muttiah Muralitharan’s unmatched tally of 68 wickets to Glenn McGrath’s remarkable consistency and Java gal Srinath’s fierce pace, these players have left an indelible mark on the world stage. As we eagerly await the next edition of the ICC World Cup, let us celebrate these top wicket-takers for their incredible achievements and look forward to witnessing new records being set in the future.

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