It has been stated that white ball cricket is always meant for batters. Spectators and TV viewers like nothing more than bowlers plundered for runs and teams scoring heavily. Pitches are always made in a manner to suit batters. However, even then there are some bowlers who have left an indelible mark in white ball cricket and will continue to do so in future. The T20 World Cup will also not be an exception. Along with the batters, these are the bowlers who have the capability to shine in all conditions.
Jasprit Bumrah (INDIA)
Once the world’s premier white-ball bowler, Jasprit Bumrah has dropped down the rankings. However, the 27-year-old still strikes fear into the hearts of batsmen with his unorthodox sling-shot action and ability to pick up wickets in the death overs. In the recently-concluded IPL-2021, Mumbai Indians could not do much. However, Bumrah was at his best picking up 21 wickets. Fifteen of those came in the UAE, so it can easily be said that he is well aware of the conditions.
M-50 W-59 Economy-6.66 BB-3/11
Rashid Khan (AFGHANISTAN)
Since he made his international debut in 2015, leg-spinner Rashid Khan has become the face of war-torn Afghanistan. Rashid is now a permanent fixture in all T20 leagues played across the cricket-playing countries. His uncanny knack of picking wickets makes him one of the most feared bowlers in the shortest version of the game. Rashid made headlines when he stepped down as captain in protest at the World Cup squad selection but he comes into the tournament with 18 wickets in the IPL and a joint-high of 12 wickets in England’s new ‘Hundred’ competition.
M-51 W-95 Economy-6.61 BB-5/3
Tabraiz Shamsi (SOUTH AFRICA)
No player has taken more T20 international wickets this year than Shamsi, with his 28 scalps catapulting him to the top of the ICC bowling rankings in T20Is. Playing for a team who usually never pick more than one specialist spinner, the 31-year-old had to be patient while Imran Tahir was the team’s main slow bowler but he has made the most of his opportunity that has come his way now. His variations and a slightly different action make it difficult for batters to pick him from the hand.
M-42 W-49 Economy-6.79 BB-4/25
Adil Rashid (ENGLAND)
Although Rashid is a spinner with a rich mix of leg-breaks and googlies in his repertoire, Eoin Morgan has been tempted to use him in the powerplay and even open the bowling to take wickets and stem the flow of runs. The strategy worked and England now have a backup option they can rely on in the first six overs, especially on slow tracks in the UAE where Rashid – England’s leading spinner with the most wickets in both shorter formats – can be lethal.
M-62 W-65 Economy-7.48 BB-4/35
Mustafizur Rahman (BANGLADESH)
A master of mixing things up in the death overs, the ever-calm and composed Mustafizur has often flummoxed even well set batsmen with his many variations. Also called the ‘Fizz’, he has the ability to change the pace of the ball in an amazing manner. No bowler has claimed more wickets (63) in the death overs since 2019 and the Bangladesh pace bowler is also capable of swinging the new ball. So if Bangladesh are to do well, he will have to play a big part.
M-55 W-52 Economy-7.54 BB-5/22
