Explore the best bowling figures in Test cricket in 2026. Check the top spell performances in red ball matches.
Best Bowling Figures in Tests in 2026
| Player (Team) | BBI | Overs | Mdns | Econ | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoriful Islam (BAN) | 7/48 | 15.0 | 3 | 3.2 | vs Australia | Mackay | 22 Aug 2026 |
| Saqib Khan (PAK) | 7/130 | 34.0 | 5 | 3.82 | vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi | 9 Nov 2026 |
| Taijul Islam (BAN) | 7/138 | 40.2 | 1 | 3.42 | vs Zimbabwe | Harare | 28 Jun 2026 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 6/12 | 10.0 | 6 | 1.2 | vs Bangladesh | Mackay | 22 Aug 2026 |
| Simon Harmer (SA) | 6/16 | 21.1 | 14 | 0.75 | vs Australia | Cape Town | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Matt Henry (NZ) | 6/29 | 18.1 | 6 | 1.59 | vs England | The Oval | 17 Jun 2026 |
| Manav Suthar (IND) | 6/33 | 22.0 | 10 | 1.5 | vs Afghanistan | New Chandigarh | 6 Jun 2026 |
| Nathan Smith (NZ) | 6/40 | 14.0 | 3 | 2.85 | vs Ireland | Belfast | 27 May 2026 |
| Josh Hazlewood (AUS) | 6/49 | 16.5 | 4 | 2.91 | vs South Africa | Durban | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Hasan Mahmud (BAN) | 6/55 | 17.0 | 3 | 3.23 | vs Australia | Darwin | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Manav Suthar (IND) | 6/55 | 23.4 | 2 | 2.32 | vs Sri Lanka | Galle | 15 Aug 2026 |
| Nathan Smith (NZ) | 6/70 | 17.0 | 4 | 4.11 | vs England | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 6/72 | 16.3 | 2 | 4.36 | vs South Africa | Cape Town | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Josh Hazlewood (AUS) | 6/89 | 28.0 | 3 | 3.17 | vs Bangladesh | Darwin | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Hasan Mahmud (BAN) | 6/90 | 24.0 | 1 | 3.75 | vs West Indies | Sylhet | 5 Nov 2026 |
| Jomel Warrican (WI) | 6/112 | 46.0 | 8 | 2.43 | vs Pakistan | Port of Spain | 2 Aug 2026 |
| Taijul Islam (BAN) | 6/120 | 34.2 | 4 | 3.49 | vs Pakistan | Sylhet | 16 May 2026 |
| Mohammad Saleem (AFG) | 6/140 | 27.0 | 3 | 5.18 | vs India | New Chandigarh | 6 Jun 2026 |
| Jayden Seales (WI) | 5/20 | 14.2 | 6 | 1.39 | vs Pakistan | Tarouba | 25 Jul 2026 |
| Mohammad Abbas (PAK) | 5/22 | 15.5 | 6 | 1.38 | vs West Indies | Tarouba | 25 Jul 2026 |
| Justin Greaves (WI) | 5/27 | 11.0 | 6 | 2.45 | vs Pakistan | Tarouba | 25 Jul 2026 |
| Gus Atkinson (ENG) | 5/30 | 11.3 | 3 | 2.6 | vs New Zealand | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Marco Jansen (SA) | 5/33 | 11.0 | 2 | 3.0 | vs Australia | Gqeberha | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Roston Chase (WI) | 5/36 | 15.4 | 2 | 2.29 | vs Bangladesh | Mirpur | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Ollie Robinson (ENG) | 5/39 | 10.5 | 3 | 3.6 | vs New Zealand | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Nahid Rana (BAN) | 5/40 | 9.5 | 2 | 4.06 | vs Pakistan | Mirpur | 8 May 2026 |
| Josh Tongue (ENG) | 5/46 | 9.1 | 0 | 5.01 | vs Pakistan | Leeds | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Ollie Robinson (ENG) | 5/51 | 18.0 | 3 | 2.83 | vs Pakistan | Leeds | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Jomel Warrican (WI) | 5/53 | 23.4 | 3 | 2.23 | vs Bangladesh | Mirpur | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Hasan Mahmud (BAN) | 5/55 | 21.0 | 5 | 2.61 | vs Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Mohammad Abbas (PAK) | 5/57 | 22.0 | 3 | 2.59 | vs England | Lord’s | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Kyle Jamieson (NZ) | 5/62 | 14.0 | 0 | 4.42 | vs England | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN) | 5/66 | 33.1 | 6 | 1.98 | vs Australia | Darwin | 13 Aug 2026 |
| BM Tickner (NZ) | 5/76 | 17.2 | 3 | 4.38 | vs Ireland | Belfast | 27 May 2026 |
| Matt Henry (NZ) | 5/80 | 24.0 | 3 | 3.33 | vs England | The Oval | 17 Jun 2026 |
| SM Boland (AUS) | 5/81 | 29.0 | 7 | 2.79 | vs South Africa | Gqeberha | 18 Oct 2026 |
| Newman Nyamhuri (ZIM) | 5/82 | 30.4 | 6 | 2.67 | vs Afghanistan | Sharjah | 5 Nov 2026 |
| Mohammad Abbas (PAK) | 5/92 | 34.0 | 8 | 2.7 | vs Bangladesh | Mirpur | 8 May 2026 |
| Ali Usman (PAK) | 5/95 | 24.0 | 1 | 3.95 | vs England | Leeds | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN) | 5/102 | 38.0 | 5 | 2.68 | vs Pakistan | Mirpur | 8 May 2026 |
| RMMP Rathnayaka (SL) | 5/124 | 35.5 | 8 | 3.46 | vs West Indies | North Sound | 25 Jun 2026 |
| Asitha Fernando (SL) | 5/130 | 40.0 | 7 | 3.25 | vs West Indies | North Sound | 3 Jul 2026 |
More 2026 Records
Best Bowling Figures in ODI in 2026
Best Bowling Figures in T20I in 2026
Best Bowling Figures in Test in 2026
Highest Individual Scores in ODI
Key Insights on 2026’s Best Bowling Spells by Bowlers
Taijul Islam’s Marathon Spells: Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam holds the single best bowling performance of the year so far. He claimed an incredible 7/138 from a grueling 40.2 overs against Zimbabwe in Harare. He, along with Nathan Smith, appears twice in the top six with another massive spell of 6/120 against Pakistan,
Matt Henry’s Clinical Precision: New Zealand’s Matt Henry boasts the second-best figures on the list with a highly economical 6/29 off 18.1 overs. Achieved against England at The Oval, this stands as the most devastating 6-wicket haul of the year in terms of runs conceded.
Manav Suthar’s Dream Debut: India’s Manav Suthar delivered a stunning 6/33 in 22 overs against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. This remarkable spell occurred during his Test debut, placing him in elite company as it registered as India’s third-best innings figures in a maiden Test appearance.
New Zealand’s Bowling Dominance: The Kiwis feature heavily at the top of the leaderboard, securing three of the top five spots. Alongside Henry, Nathan Smith proved highly lethal, delivering two outstanding 6-wicket hauls in consecutive weeks (6/40 against Ireland and 6/70 against England).
The Lord’s Wicket Fest: The June 4th Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord’s proved to be incredibly bowler-friendly. It generated three separate entries on this top 10 list: Nathan Smith (6/70) for New Zealand, alongside Gus Atkinson (5/30) and Ollie Robinson (5/39) for England.
Afghanistan vs. India Spin Battle: The June 6th Test in New Chandigarh saw massive hauls from both sides. While Suthar spun a web for India, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Saleem also bowled a massive 27-over spell to claim 6/140.
Nahid Rana’s Dual Format Success: Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana stands out as the only bowler this year to secure five-wicket hauls in both Test and ODI formats. He claimed his maiden Test five-for against Pakistan with figures of 5-40, complementing his multiple five-wicket performances in ODIs.
