ICC World Cup 2019: Highest wicket takers so far

The 2019 World Cup was touted as a tournament for the batsmen. Instead, the fast bowlers created a rampage, cranking up their speeds and leaving the batsmen yearning for room to score runs. The likes of Mitchell Starc and Jofra Archer terrorised the batsmen with brute pace, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Amir and Mustafizur Rahman deceived batsmen with guile.

5. Mohammad Amir (Pakistan)

Before Shaheen Shah Afridi impressed one and all with his raw talent, Mohammad Amir led Pakistan's bowling attack till the halfway stage of the tournament. Ironically, he was not included in the initial World Cup squad of Pakistan because of his poor form in the last year.

In this tournament, he has picked up 17 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 21.05 and an economy of 4.09 with one five-wicket haul. His best performance came against Australia when he picked up 5 wickets for 30 runs. In the process, he became the first Pakistani bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul against the Aussies in the history of the World Cup.

4. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

A short run-up, an awkward action and then a sudden burst. Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action is unconventional and his skill is extraordinary. He has every variation that there is in cricket: yorkers, slower yorker, slower ball, yorker outside off, cutters and slower bouncer. He has always kept the batsman guessing in this World Cup, outfoxing them with his brilliance.

He has picked up 17 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 19.52 and economy of 4.48. His best bowling performance came against Bangladesh when he picked up 4 wickets for 55 runs.

3. Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand)

Playing in his first World Cup, Lockie Ferguson has been a revelation for New Zealand. He has bowled at a great pace, troubling the batsmen with occasional short balls. He has picked up 17 wickets from 7 matches at an average of 18.58 and an economy of 4.96. His best performance came against Afghanistan when he picked up 4 wickets for 37 runs that helped his team win the match by seven wickets.

2. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)

Mustafizur Rahman was the standout bowler for Bangladesh in this World Cup by taking 20 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 24.20 and economy of 6.70 including two fifers.His ability to pick wickets in the death overs helped Bangladesh prevent the opposition from scoring huge totals at times. His best performance came against India, when he picked up 5 wickets for 59 runs, in a match that Bangladesh lost by 28 runs.

1. Mitchell Starc (Australia)

1. This Aussieleft-arm fast bowler is enjoying a sublime tournament so far. He has bagged 26 wickets in 9 matches at an astonishing average of 16.61 and economy of 5.18 including two fifers. He has led the charge of Australia's bowling unit, tearing apart opposition batting orders at will. His best performance came against New Zealand, as his 5 wickets for 26 runs helped Australia to thrash the Kiwis by 86 runs.