Rishad’s 35 wickets establish a new benchmark for Bangladesh in T20Is
Not far behind, Taskin Ahmed has also enjoyed a successful year, taking 30 wickets in 19 matches.
Rishad Hossain ended 2024 with a remarkable tally of 35 wickets, setting a new record for the most T20 wickets by a Bangladeshi in a calendar year.
The young leg-spinner's exceptional form has made him a key figure in Bangladesh's T20 team, as he finished the year with an outstanding performance in the West Indies series, taking three wickets for just 21 runs in the final match.
His record-breaking year also included a career-best total of six wickets in the series, further cementing his place among the top bowlers in the country.
Not far behind, Taskin Ahmed has also enjoyed a successful year, taking 30 wickets in 19 matches.
The pace leader of the Bangladesh team, Taskin surpassed Mustafizur Rahman's previous record and continued to contribute significantly with the ball throughout the year.
Rishad's achievement in the T20 World Cup further highlighted his growing stature, as he claimed 14 wickets in seven matches, setting a new record for Bangladesh. In 2021, Mustafizur Rahman held the previous record with 28 wickets in 20 matches.
This year, Taskin joined the ranks of top wicket-takers, moving ahead of Mustafiz with his seven wickets against the West Indies.
Mustafizur finished the year with 27 wickets in 18 matches, securing the fourth position, while Shakib Al Hasan's 25 wickets in 18 matches placed him fifth in the rankings.
Globally, the record for the most wickets in a calendar year belongs to Uganda's Alphas Ramjani, who claimed 55 wickets from 30 matches last year.
Another Ugandan bowler, Henry Senyondo, follows with 49 wickets. In the international T20 cricket scene, Hong Kong's Ehsan Khan currently leads with 46 wickets from 27 matches, surpassing Rishad's tally.
Among Test-playing nations, Rishad ranks fourth with 35 wickets in 18 matches. Arshdeep Singh of India tops the list with 36 wickets, followed by Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi with the same tally but from 23 matches.
Australia's Adam Zampa shares Rishad's total, and Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga is right behind with 34 wickets in 18 matches.