Bowlers to watch at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

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Across the 12 competing teams, several standout performers arrive in England and Wales with impressive records, recent form and a reputation for delivering when it matters most.

We take a look at every team's talisman with the ball at the 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Australia – Annabel Sutherland

While Annabel Sutherland has established herself as one of Australia’s premier all-rounders in Tests and ODIs, it is in T20Is where her impact with the ball truly stands out.

Since the last Women’s T20 World Cup, Sutherland has topped Australia’s wicket-taking charts, claiming 15 wickets at an outstanding average of 11.40. Among those performances was a career-best spell of 4/8 against New Zealand in March 2025, underlining her value as a genuine match-winner in the shortest format.

With conditions in England often rewarding seam movement, Sutherland's ability to generate bounce and extract movement could make her a potent weapon in the powerplay.

She is currently placed eighth in the ICC Women's T20I Bowler Rankings.

Bangladesh – Rabeya Khan

Bangladesh secured qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in emphatic fashion, winning every match in the Global Qualifier, with Rabeya Khan playing a leading role.

The leg-spinner claimed nine wickets at an average of 17.55, including remarkable figures of 3/5 against Namibia. Still only 21 years old, Rabeya is rapidly approaching both 50 T20I wickets and 50 appearances for her country. The highest-ranked T20I bowler for Bangladesh also featured at the 2024 tournament, and she arrives in England and Wales with valuable World Cup experience already under her belt.

Rabeya's success through the Qualifier highlighted her knack for breaking partnerships, a trait Bangladesh will rely on against stronger batting line-ups.

England – Charlie Dean

Charlie Dean, who has been handed the vice-captaincy reins for the home event, continues to grow in stature as one of England’s most influential players.

A regular member of the side and Nat Sciver-Brunt's deputy, Dean has frequently stepped up to lead the team when required. One of three England bowlers currently ranked inside the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings top 10, she has taken 27 wickets since the previous World Cup - the joint most for England alongside Lauren Bell. She is placed fifth in the T20I bowler rankings, behind teammate Lauren Bell at third place.

Familiarity with home conditions could further enhance Dean's effectiveness as England seek a first T20 World Cup title since 2009.

India – Deepti Sharma

Ranked tenth among T20I bowlers and fifth among all-rounders in the format, few players offer as much consistency as Deepti Sharma.

The experienced off-spinner remains a cornerstone of India’s attack. Having recently completed a decade in international T20 cricket, Deepti has amassed 161 wickets at an average of 19.96. Earlier this year, she reached another milestone by claiming the first five-wicket haul of her T20I career against South Africa.

Her ability to bowl at different stages of an innings gives India a valuable tactical option in high-pressure matches.

Ireland – Arlene Kelly

Arlene Kelly has developed into one of Ireland’s most dependable performers with the ball.

The right-arm medium pacer first showcased her potential on the global stage at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, taking four wickets, including figures of two for 27 against Pakistan. She was instrumental in Ireland’s successful qualification campaign for 2026, collecting 13 wickets, highlighted by a superb four for seven against Thailand. Across four years of T20I cricket, Kelly boasts an impressive bowling average of just 14.54.

Kelly's impressive consistency means she will be expected to shoulder much of Ireland's wicket-taking responsibility on their return to the World Cup stage.

Netherlands – Iris Zwilling

24-year-old Iris Zwilling has represented the Netherlands for seven years and is already her country’s leading wicket-taker. 

Just a wicket shy of 100 T20I scalps, Zwilling could become the first Dutch woman to reach the milestone in any format. Her 99 wickets have come at an average of 16.11, including seven during the Qualifier as the Netherlands secured a place at their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

New Zealand – Amelie Kerr

Amelie Kerr’s name could comfortably feature on lists of the tournament’s best batters, bowlers and all-rounders at the same time.

The White Ferns captain was named Player of the Tournament at the 2024 edition after finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets. Kerr claimed at least one wicket in every match she played, helping New Zealand lift the trophy. With 106 wickets from 99 T20Is already to her name, she remains one of the most complete cricketers in the women’s game.

Pakistan – Sadia Iqbal

Sadia Iqbal arrives at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as the second-best ranked bowler in Women's T20Is.

The left-arm spinner first reached the summit of the rankings in 2024 and reclaimed the number one spot for a third time earlier this year following a successful series against South Africa. Iqbal has taken 73 wickets in 58 T20Is.

Her control and economy have become just as valuable as her wicket-taking ability, allowing Pakistan to build pressure through the middle overs.

Scotland – Kathryn Bryce

Captain, leader and all-round talisman, Kathryn Bryce continues to be at the heart of Scotland’s rise.

She was Scotland’s leading wicket-taker during the Qualifier, including figures of 4/30 in a crucial victory over Ireland. Bryce then contributed two wickets against the USA to help secure qualification.

She currently sits second on Scotland’s all-time T20I wicket-taking list with 64 wickets in 59 matches and occupies the same position among the nation’s leading run-scorers.

South Africa – Shabnim Ismail

For a time, it appeared that cricket fans had seen the last of Shabnim Ismail in South African colours post her side's defeat at home in the 2023 edition of the tournament.

The legendary fast bowler’s most recent appearance for the Proteas came in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup final, where she claimed her 122nd and 123rd T20I wickets. However, Ismail reversed her international retirement in May and returns as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the format. Her pace, experience and ability to strike in key moments make her one of the most feared bowlers in the competition.

Few bowlers in world cricket can match Ismail's raw pace, giving South Africa a genuine strike option capable of unsettling any batting line-up.

Sri Lanka - Kavisha Dilhari

With several experienced bowlers moving on, Kavisha Dilhari has assumed greater responsibility within Sri Lanka’s attack.

The all-rounder has led her country’s wicket-taking charts since the last World Cup, claiming 15 wickets. Her standout performance came against the West Indies, where she returned figures of three for five in a rain-affected encounter. As Sri Lanka enter a new era, Dilhari’s contributions will be crucial to her side going far in the tournament.

West Indies – Afy Fletcher

The oldest player at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues to prove age is no barrier to success.

Afy Fletcher has surpassed both 100 T20I appearances and 100 wickets for the West Indies. The leg-spinner has been representing her country since 2008 and was part of the West Indies side that lifted the Women’s T20 World Cup trophy in 2016. 

Her experience of winning the title in 2016 could prove invaluable for a West Indies side looking to recapture former glories.

ALL THE SQUADS AT THE ICC WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP 2026