Sri Lanka has always been a force in T20 cricket. Over the years some bowlers from other countries have had amazing performances against them.
These spells not only helped their teams win but also became legendary in T20I cricket. Here are the top 5 bowling performances against Sri Lanka in T20 Internationals.
Top 5 Bowling Performance Against SRI Lanka in T20i
1. Adam Milne – 5/26 (New Zealand), Dunedin, 2023
New Zealand’s Adam Milne tops the list with a great spell against Sri Lanka in Dunedin in 2023. Milne took 5 wickets for 26 runs and destroyed Sri Lanka’s batting. He got rid of Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka to break the middle order. Milne also got Pathum Nissanka. New Zealand chased the score in under 15 overs for an easy 9-wicket win.
2. Oshane Thomas – 5/28 (West Indies), Pallekele, 2020
West Indies’ Oshane Thomas was unplayable in 2020 at Pallekele. With his pace Thomas took 5 wickets for 28 runs. He troubled Sri Lanka’s top order early and didn’t let them settle. His wickets included Shehan Jayasuriya, Kusan Mendis and Angelo Matthews. Because of his spell Windies bowled out Sri Lanka for 171 in the 2nd innings and won by 25 runs.
3. Anrich Nortje – 4/7 (South Africa), New York, 2024
South Africa’s Anrich Nortje had the most economical spell in T20I cricket against Sri Lanka during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York. He took 4 wickets and only gave 7 runs in his 4 overs. Nortje’s pace, accuracy and smart changes tied down the Sri Lankan batting. Proteas bowled out Sri Lanka for 77 runs and won by 6 wickets.
4. Ravichandran Ashwin – 4/8 (India), Vizag, 2016
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin troubled Sri Lankan batsmen in Vizag in 2016. He took 4 wickets for 8 runs in his 4 overs. Ashwin used his variations well and didn’t let the batters score freely. His great bowling helped India bowl out Sri Lanka for 82 runs and won by 9 wickets. This is one of Ashwin’s top T20I performances.
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5. Mahedi Hasan – 4/11 (Bangladesh), Colombo, 2025
The latest on this list is from Bangladesh’s Mahedi Hasan who took 4 wickets for 11 runs in the 3rd T20I in Colombo in 2025. Hasan troubled the top and middle order batters to pick 4 important wickets. His four wickets helped Bangladesh restrict Sri Lanka to 132 runs in the 1st innings. Tigers won the game and the 3-match series beating the hosts.
