USA’s Schalkwyk leads bowling charts at T20 World Cup

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LAHORE: United States seamer Saurabh Netravalkar van Schalkwyk has emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, underlining the growing impact of associate nations in the tournament.
Van Schalkwyk has claimed 13 wickets in four matches, delivering 89 balls for returns of 13 for 101. His best figures of 4 for 25 and two four-wicket hauls have set him apart from the field. He averages 7.76 with the ball and has a strike rate of 6.84, striking at crucial intervals to disrupt opposition batting line-ups.
India spinner Varun Chakravarthy sits among the leading pack with nine wickets in four matches. His standout spell of 3 for 7 helped restrict a top-order collapse earlier in the group stage. Chakravarthy has conceded just 62 runs in 12 overs, boasting an economy rate of 5.16 and an average of 6.88.
Zimbabwe pace spearhead Blessing Muzarabani has also collected nine wickets from three matches, including figures of 4 for 17. With an economy of 5.91 and one maiden over to his name, Muzarabani has provided early breakthroughs with the new ball.
Scotland all-rounder Michael Leask and Afghanistan’s seam-bowling all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai are level on nine wickets as well. Both have registered four-wicket hauls, highlighting their versatility in middle overs where matches are often decided.
Pakistan’s Usman Tariq has taken eight wickets in three innings, including 4 for 16, maintaining an economy rate of 5.82. Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa has also grabbed eight wickets in four matches, recording two four-wicket hauls to keep Australia in contention.
South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi and Zimbabwe’s Brad Evans have matched that tally with eight wickets each, reinforcing the prominence of pace bowlers in this edition.
Among other notable performances, West Indies fast bowler Romario Shepherd produced the best five-wicket haul of the tournament so far with 5 for 20 in just two matches, giving him six wickets at a striking average of 4.50. UAE’s Junaid Siddique has also registered a five-wicket haul, returning 5 for 35.
Established names such as Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, England’s Sam Curran and India’s Hardik Pandya remain in the mix with steady contributions, though they trail the early leaders.