Thu Sep 18 17:50:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Noor Ahmad Tops T20 Wicket-Taking Charts Despite Afghanistan’s Loss to Bangladesh**

**Abu Dhabi -** Afghanistan’s rising cricket star, Noor Ahmad, has emerged as the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket for 2025. The left-arm wrist-spinner reached the milestone during the Men’s T20 Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. Although his impressive performance of 2 wickets for 23 runs helped restrict Bangladesh to 154/5, Afghanistan unfortunately succumbed to defeat.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Ahmad has claimed a remarkable 71 wickets in 51 T20 matches this year, boasting an average of 18.28 and an economy rate of 7.27. His exceptional season includes five instances of taking four or more wickets in an innings, with one five-wicket haul (5/28) to his name. Notably, 24 of his wickets were taken while playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ahmad’s achievement places him ahead of West Indies’ Jason Holder, who previously held the top spot with 70 wickets in 50 matches. Holder’s economy rate of 8.68 is higher than Ahmad’s, and his average stands at 22.74.

Pakistan’s veteran fast bowler, Hasan Ali, rounds out the top three with 67 wickets in just 32 games, achieving an impressive average of 16.11. Despite a higher economy rate of 9.13, Ali’s tally includes three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls (best bowling figures: 6/23). 25 of Ali’s wickets were secured while playing for the Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast, and he finished the Pakistan Super League with 17 scalps.

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