Colin Ackermann holds the record for the best bowling figures in T20 Blast history, claiming a miraculous 7/18 for Leicestershire against Birmingham Bears in 2019.
Statistically, this performance remains an outlier in a tournament where the average run rate often exceeds 8.5 runs per over.
Only one other player in the league’s 20-plus year history has taken more than six wickets in a single innings, and Ackermann’s strike rate of a wicket every 3.4 balls in that match set a benchmark for efficiency.
In a format where a four-wicket haul is considered elite, these records showcase the rare occasions when bowling dominance completely overwhelms modern batting power.
Top 10 Best Bowling Figures in T20 Blast History
The following table displays the most dominant individual bowling performances recorded since the inception of the tournament in 2003.
| Player | Team | Figures | Overs | Opposition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Ackermann | Leicestershire | 7/18 | 4.0 | Warwickshire | Aug 07, 2019 |
| Arul Suppiah | Somerset | 6/5 | 3.4 | Glamorgan | Jul 05, 2011 |
| Ben Sanderson | Northants | 6/8 | 4.0 | Worcestershire | Jun 06, 2025 |
| Tim Southee | Essex | 6/16 | 4.0 | Glamorgan | Jul 08, 2011 |
| Tim Bresnan | Yorkshire | 6/19 | 4.0 | Lancashire | Aug 11, 2017 |
| Shaheen Afridi | Hampshire | 6/19 | 4.0 | Middlesex | Sep 20, 2020 |
| Andrew Hall | Northants | 6/21 | 3.4 | Worcestershire | Jun 13, 2008 |
| Nathan McAndrew | Sussex | 6/21 | 3.5 | Glamorgan | Jun 14, 2025 |
| Hasan Ali | Warwickshire | 6/23 | 3.1 | Derbyshire | Jun 08, 2025 |
| Tim Murtagh | Surrey | 6/24 | 4.0 | Middlesex | Jun 24, 2005 |
1. Colin Ackermann 7/18
Leicestershire off spinner Colin Ackermann produced a world record spell that completely bamboozled the Birmingham Bears batting unit.
Defending a target of 190, Ackermann exploited a gripping surface to trigger a massive collapse.
He picked up key wickets including Michael Burgess, Sam Hain, and Will Rhodes, eventually cleaning up the tail to finish with seven wickets.
- Ackermann set a then world record for the best figures in all T20 cricket.
- He took six of his seven wickets in the space of just two overs.
- The spell secured a massive 55 run victory for Leicestershire at Grace Road.
2. Arul Suppiah 6/5
Malaysian born left arm spinner Arul Suppiah etched his name into the history books with a mesmerizing performance against Glamorgan in Cardiff.
Somerset were defending a modest total, and Suppiah made it look like a mountain by conceding just five runs in nearly four overs.
He ripped through the middle order with flight and guile, leaving the Welsh side in total disarray. His economy rate of 1.36 remains one of the most economical displays ever seen in the Blast.
- Suppiah broke the previous world record for T20 bowling figures during this game.
- His victims included top order players like Chris Cooke and Gareth Rees.
- He remains the only player in the top three to represent Somerset on this list.
3. Ben Sanderson 6/8
Northamptonshire seamer Ben Sanderson delivered a masterclass in modern pace bowling during the 2025 season against Worcestershire.
Using a perfect mix of yorkers and slower ball variations, Sanderson dismantled the opposition while conceding only eight runs in his full quota.
The match situation required a clinical defensive effort, and Sanderson provided exactly that by taking wickets at regular intervals.
- Sanderson utilized the new ball to extract early swing and seam movement.
- He returned at the death to clean up the tail with precision yorkers.
- This performance is the most recent entry in the all time top three.
4. Tim Southee 6/16
New Zealand legend Tim Southee showed his world class pedigree during a short but impactful stint with Essex in 2011.
Facing Glamorgan, Southee made the ball talk in both directions, accounting for six batters while maintaining an economy of four runs per over.
His control over the swinging ball in the powerplay put Glamorgan on the back foot immediately.
- Southee took a hat trick of wickets within his six wicket haul.
- He dismantled the Glamorgan top three in his opening spell.
- The performance helped Essex defend a total at Chelmsford comfortably.
5. Tim Bresnan 6/19
Yorkshire stalwart Tim Bresnan proved his worth in the high pressure environment of a “Battle of the Roses” clash against Lancashire.
Bresnan used his experience to exploit a dry Headingley pitch, utilizing a variety of cutters and short pitched deliveries.
He systematically removed Lancashire’s dangerous hitters, turning a competitive chase into a one sided affair.
- Bresnan removed key rival players like Jos Buttler during the spell.
- He bowled primarily in the middle and death overs to stymie the run rate.
- The 6/19 figures helped Yorkshire secure their spot in the knockout stages.
6. Shaheen Shah Afridi 6/19
Pakistan pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi left Middlesex in ruins during an extraordinary display of left arm fast bowling for Hampshire.
Afridi famously took four wickets in four balls, a feat that included a flurry of unplayable yorkers that crashed into the stumps.
It remains one of the most visually spectacular spells in the history of the competition.
- Afridi finished the innings with a four wicket maiden over.
- His victims were largely bowled or trapped LBW by his searing pace.
- This spell remains the best bowling performance by a Pakistani in the Blast.
7. Andrew Hall 6/21
South African seamer Andrew Hall used his extensive international experience to lead Northants to a crucial victory over Worcestershire.
Hall’s spell was a lesson in consistency, as he attacked the stumps and forced the batters to take unnecessary risks.
He finished with figures of 6/21, ensuring the opposition could never build a partnership of significance.
- Hall maintained an economy of 5.72 while taking six wickets.
- He took wickets in three different spells throughout the innings.
- This effort helped Northants reach the Finals Day later that season.
8. Nathan McAndrew 6/21
Australian import Nathan McAndrew produced a blistering spell for Sussex in 2025, ripping through the Glamorgan lineup with sheer velocity.
McAndrew found significant bounce and carry at Hove, making life miserable for the visiting batters.
He accounted for six wickets in a relentless display of fast bowling that never allowed the opposition to settle.
- McAndrew struck twice in his first over to set the tone.
- He utilized the short ball effectively to hurry the Glamorgan middle order.
- The spell resulted in Sussex bowling out the opposition for a sub 100 total.
9. Hasan Ali 6/23
Warwickshire’s Hasan Ali showcased his trademark “generator” celebration multiple times during a devastating spell against Derbyshire in 2025.
Hasan’s ability to reverse swing the ball in the later stages of the innings proved too much for the Derbyshire tail.
He picked up six wickets for 23 runs, displaying the skill set that has made him a household name in international cricket.
- Hasan claimed three wickets in the final over of the match.
- He primarily targeted the stumps, resulting in several bowled dismissals.
- The spell ensured Warwickshire remained at the top of the North Group.
10. Tim Murtagh 6/24
In the early years of the T20 Blast, Tim Murtagh delivered a classic swing bowling exhibition for Surrey against Middlesex.
Playing at Lord’s, Murtagh utilized the natural slope and overcast conditions to move the ball late and late.
He tore through the Middlesex top order, proving that traditional skills could be just as effective as modern variations in the shortest format. His 6/24 remains one of the most disciplined performances in the history of the London Derby.
- Murtagh bowled his full quota of four overs in a single spell.
- He focused on a strict line and length to induce edges.
- This was the first ever six wicket haul recorded by a Surrey bowler in T20s.
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Conclusion: The Best Figure is 7/18 by Colin Ackerman!
The T20 Blast continues to be a breeding ground for exceptional bowling talent, where a single inspired spell can define a season.
While the game has shifted towards larger bats and higher strike rates, the records held by bowlers like Colin Ackermann and Arul Suppiah prove that quality bowling remains the ultimate match winner.
These figures are not just numbers; they represent moments of absolute perfection where the bowler was entirely in control of the contest. As the league enters new seasons, fans eagerly wait to see if any new star can challenge these historic marks.
