Best T20I XI of the year

3. Paul Stirling

If someone would’ve told you that Paul Stirling would end the year 2019 as the leading run-getter in T20Is, you would’ve laughed it off. However, Stirling has actually finished the year as the highest run-scorer of 2019. He’s had a phenomenal year.

Ireland may have played the most T20Is (23) among the Test-playing nations but Stirling has worked his way up to lead the batting charts for this year. In 20 innings, the Ireland opener has scored 748 runs at an average of 41.55 including eight half-centuries. Moreover, he had an impressive strike-rate of 140.60.

In fact, his 748 runs are the highest-ever by any batsman in a calendar year in the history of T20I cricket. He broke Shikhar Dhawan’s record of 689 runs which he set last year. Thus, it was a fine year for Stirling.