The ICC Champions Trophy (formerly known as ICC KnockOut) has seen many memorable bowling performances over the years. From tight spells to match-winning figures, bowlers have often played a crucial role in their teams’ success. Here’s a closer look at some of the best bowling figures in a single innings during this prestigious tournament.
| Player | Overs | Mdns | Runs | Wkts | Econ | Team | Inns | Opposition | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF Maharoof | 9.0 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 1.55 | Sri Lanka | 1 | v West Indies | Brabourne |
| JR Hazlewood | 9.0 | – | 52 | 6 | 5.77 | Australia | 1 | v New Zealand | Birmingham |
| Shahid Afridi | 6.0 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 1.83 | Pakistan | 1 | v Kenya | Birmingham |
| M Ntini | 6.0 | 2 | 21 | 5 | 3.50 | South Africa | 2 | v Pakistan | Mohali |
| M Dillon | 10.0 | 4 | 29 | 5 | 2.90 | West Indies | 2 | v Bangladesh | Southampton |
| JH Kallis | 7.3 | – | 30 | 5 | 4.00 | South Africa | 1 | v West Indies | Dhaka |
| JDP Oram | 9.4 | 1 | 36 | 5 | 3.72 | New Zealand | 2 | v U.S.A. | The Oval |
| RA Jadeja | 10.0 | 2 | 36 | 5 | 3.60 | India | 1 | v West Indies | The Oval |
| GD McGrath | 7.0 | 1 | 37 | 5 | 5.28 | Australia | 2 | v New Zealand | Colombo (SSC) |
| SB O’Connor | 9.2 | – | 46 | 5 | 4.92 | New Zealand | 1 | v Pakistan | Nairobi (Gym) |
| WD Parnell | 8.0 | – | 57 | 5 | 7.12 | South Africa | 1 | v New Zealand | Centurion |
| MS Kasprowicz | 7.0 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 2.00 | Australia | 1 | v U.S.A. | Southampton |
| M Muralidaran | 5.3 | 2 | 15 | 4 | 2.72 | Sri Lanka | 2 | v Netherlands | Colombo (RPS) |
| JN Gillespie | 6.0 | 1 | 15 | 4 | 2.50 | Australia | 1 | v U.S.A. | Southampton |
| R McLaren | 8.0 | 3 | 19 | 4 | 2.37 | South Africa | 2 | v Pakistan | Birmingham |
| SE Bond | 5.0 | – | 21 | 4 | 4.20 | New Zealand | 2 | v Bangladesh | Colombo (SSC) |
| M Muralidaran | 10.0 | 1 | 23 | 4 | 2.30 | Sri Lanka | 1 | v New Zealand | Brabourne |
| Naved-ul-Hasan | 9.0 | 1 | 25 | 4 | 2.77 | Pakistan | 1 | v India | Birmingham |
| GC Tonge | 10.0 | 3 | 25 | 4 | 2.50 | West Indies | 2 | v Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| Imran Tahir | 8.3 | – | 27 | 4 | 3.17 | South Africa | 2 | v Sri Lanka | The Oval |
| MA Starc | 8.3 | 2 | 29 | 4 | 3.41 | Australia | 1 | v Bangladesh | The Oval |
| KD Mills | 4.3 | – | 30 | 4 | 6.66 | New Zealand | 1 | v England | Cardiff |
| KLT Arthurton | 10.0 | – | 31 | 4 | 3.10 | West Indies | 2 | v Pakistan | Dhaka |
| GD Elliott | 8.0 | – | 31 | 4 | 3.87 | New Zealand | 1 | v England | Johannesburg |
| MA Wood | 10.0 | 1 | 33 | 4 | 3.30 | England | 1 | v Australia | Birmingham |
| SL Malinga | 10.0 | 2 | 34 | 4 | 3.40 | Sri Lanka | 2 | v New Zealand | Cardiff |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 9.5 | 1 | 36 | 4 | 3.66 | Pakistan | 1 | v India | Birmingham |
| RC Irani | 10.0 | – | 37 | 4 | 3.70 | England | 2 | v Zimbabwe | Colombo (RPS) |
| SR Tendulkar | 9.1 | – | 38 | 4 | 4.14 | India | 2 | v Australia | Dhaka |
| KD Mills | 10.0 | 1 | 38 | 4 | 3.80 | New Zealand | 1 | v Australia | Mohali |
| SCJ Broad | 8.1 | 1 | 39 | 4 | 4.77 | England | 2 | v New Zealand | Johannesburg |
| AU Rashid | 10.0 | 1 | 41 | 4 | 4.10 | England | 1 | v Australia | Birmingham |
| MJ McClenaghan | 8.5 | – | 43 | 4 | 4.86 | New Zealand | 1 | v Sri Lanka | Cardiff |
| IG Butler | 10.0 | – | 44 | 4 | 4.40 | New Zealand | 1 | v Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| PJ Wiseman | 9.2 | – | 45 | 4 | 4.82 | New Zealand | 2 | v Zimbabwe | Nairobi (Gym) |
| Z Khan | 10.0 | 2 | 45 | 4 | 4.50 | India | 1 | v New Zealand | Mohali |
1. Top Bowling Performances in ICC Champions Trophy
Bowlers have left their mark on the ICC Champions Trophy with standout performances. Among the best is MF Maharoof from Sri Lanka, who took 6 wickets for just 14 runs in his 9-over spell against the West Indies on October 14, 2006. His stunning performance helped Sri Lanka secure a victory in the group stages.
Another memorable performance was from JR Hazlewood of Australia. On June 2, 2017, Hazlewood took 6 wickets for 52 runs against New Zealand. His efforts helped Australia restrict New Zealand, making him one of the tournament’s best performers with the ball.
Shahid Afridi of Pakistan also shines with his 5-wicket haul against Kenya on September 14, 2004. His spell of 5 wickets for just 11 runs in 6 overs was exceptional. Afridi’s brilliance helped Pakistan dominate and secure a win in this match.
2. Noteworthy Performances from Different Teams
South African bowlers have been particularly strong in the ICC Champions Trophy. M Ntini and JH Kallis both claimed 5-wicket hauls in the tournament. Ntini’s 5 wickets for 21 runs against Pakistan in October 2006 stood out, while Kallis took 5 wickets for 30 runs against the West Indies in November 1998. These performances proved crucial for their team’s success in the tournament.
On the West Indies side, M Dillon delivered an excellent performance with 5 wickets for 29 runs against Bangladesh on September 15, 2004. This spell was instrumental in helping the West Indies secure a comfortable win in their group match.
In the 2002 edition, GD McGrath took 5 wickets for 37 runs against New Zealand in Colombo, playing a key role in Australia’s victory. This remarkable performance added to his list of achievements in international cricket.
3. Key Bowlers in Tight Matches
Bowlers who can restrict runs and take crucial wickets often determine the outcome of tight matches. JDP Oram of New Zealand was one such bowler. In a match against the USA on September 10, 2004, he took 5 wickets for 36 runs in 9.4 overs, playing a major part in his team’s victory.
Another key performance came from RA Jadeja of India. On June 11, 2013, Jadeja took 5 wickets for 36 runs against the West Indies at The Oval. His superb bowling helped India dominate the match and win comfortably.
Imran Tahir from South Africa also played a significant role on June 3, 2017, when he claimed 4 wickets for 27 runs against Sri Lanka. Tahir’s performance was a match-winning effort and one of the best in recent years.
4. Other Notable Bowling Performances
Some bowlers may not have taken a 5-wicket haul but still had incredible performances in the tournament. SL Malinga of Sri Lanka, a key bowler for his team, consistently delivered under pressure. On September 9, 2013, he took 4 wickets for 34 runs against New Zealand, helping Sri Lanka to an important win.
Shoaib Akhtar, known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” was another bowler who stood out in the 2004 edition. His 4 wickets for 36 runs against India helped Pakistan stay competitive in the match.
Other notable mentions include GD Elliott from New Zealand and Imran Khan of Pakistan. These bowlers had solid performances with the ball, with figures that helped their respective teams compete in the tournament.
5. Final Thoughts on ICC Champions Trophy Bowling
The ICC Champions Trophy has seen some of the finest bowling performances in limited-overs cricket. Bowlers who have the ability to deliver in crucial moments have often turned the tide in favor of their teams. The list of top performances is a testament to the skill and determination of these bowlers, who have played key roles in the history of the tournament.
From early breakthroughs to game-changing spells in the middle overs, the best bowling figures in the ICC Champions Trophy showcase the importance of bowling in one-day cricket. These performances will continue to be remembered as defining moments in the tournament’s history.
