Quick Answer
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) is the No. 1-ranked T20I bowler in the ICC Men’s rankings, with a rating of 753 points — ahead of Abrar Ahmed (Pakistan, 736) in 2nd and Adil Rashid (England, 710) in 3rd. Wrist- and mystery-spinners dominate the top of the list, reflecting how central variation and control are to bowling success in the format’s 20-over window.
T20I bowling rankings measure who consistently controls an over and takes wickets under pressure in the shortest format — economy rate and strike rate matter as much as raw wicket tallies. Below is the current top 20, refreshed after every completed T20I involving a qualifying bowler in the ICC’s rolling ratings model.
Full List: Top 20 ICC Men’s T20I Bowlers (2026)
The table below reflects each bowler’s current ICC rating and how far behind the No. 1 spot they sit. Unlike the all-rounder lists, this rating is built purely from bowling performance — wickets, economy, and match situation — see the methodology note below the table.
| Rank | Player | Team | Rating | Behind #1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan |  Afghanistan |
753 | — |
| 2 | Abrar Ahmed |  Pakistan |
736 | -17 |
| 3 | Adil Rashid |  England |
710 | -43 |
| 4 | Adam Zampa |  Australia |
700 | -53 |
| 5 | Nathan Ellis | Australia |
675 | -78 |
| 6 ▲1 | Wanindu Hasaranga |  Sri Lanka |
668 | -85 |
| 7 ▲1 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan |
663 | -90 |
| =7 ▲1 | Varun Chakravarthy |  India |
663 | -90 |
| 9 ▲1 | Mohammad Nawaz | Pakistan |
658 | -95 |
| =9 ▲1 | Maheesh Theekshana | Sri Lanka |
658 | -95 |
| 11 ▼5 | Corbin Bosch |  South Africa |
650 | -103 |
| 12 | Nasum Ahmed |  Bangladesh |
646 | -107 |
| =12 | Matthew Forde |  West Indies |
646 | -107 |
| 14 | Dunith Wellalage | Sri Lanka |
640 | -113 |
| 15 | Jofra Archer | England |
636 | -117 |
| =15 | Salman Mirza | Pakistan |
636 | -117 |
| 17 | Jasprit Bumrah | India |
635 | -118 |
| 18 | Mahedi Hasan | Bangladesh |
632 | -121 |
| 19 | Mitchell Santner |  New Zealand |
631 | -122 |
| =19 | Akeal Hosein | West Indies |
631 | -122 |
Source: ICC Official T20I Bowling Rankings · Data current as of publish date shown above
How the ICC Bowling Rating Works
Unlike the all-rounder lists, the T20I bowling rating is built purely from performance with the ball: wickets taken, economy rate, and how those figures stack up against the specific opposition and match situation faced. A cheap but wicketless spell and an expensive four-for can both score well depending on context — the model rewards control and impact together, not just one or the other. Ratings are recalculated after every T20I a qualifying bowler features in, so movement is common, especially in a format where a single bad over can swing a match.
Notable Movements Since the Last Update
Rashid Khan holds a clear lead at the top for Afghanistan, with Abrar Ahmed and Adil Rashid rounding out the top 3. South Africa’s Corbin Bosch is the biggest faller inside the top 20, dropping five places to No. 11, which has opened the door for a cluster of spinners — Wanindu Hasaranga, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammad Nawaz, and Maheesh Theekshana — to each climb a place. Sri Lanka and Pakistan lead the way with three bowlers apiece inside the top 20, underlining both sides’ spin-heavy attacks in the format.
FAQs: Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings
Rashid Khan of Afghanistan is currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, with a rating of 753 points.
Rankings are recalculated after every completed T20I match involving a qualifying bowler, so the table can change several times during a single series or tournament.
It’s based purely on bowling performance — wickets taken and economy rate — weighted for recent form and adjusted for the strength of the opposition faced.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan each have three bowlers inside the current top 20, the most of any team.