Leading run scorers by batting position in T20Is

Short boundaries, flat pitches and just 20 overs per innings, gives batsmen the freedom to express themselves in the shortest format of cricket. Sixes and fours are a common sight in a format which witnesses many close finishes. Some of the top batters in the world have thrilled fans around the world with their flair and attacking stroke play. Though batsmen in T20s are expected to go out there and smack the ball, some have developed their own ways of doing it. Here is a look at the top run scorers by batting position in T20Is. Opener: Tillakaratne Dilshan – 1582 Runs: Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) One of the great T20 batsmen, the Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan is renowned for his batting exploits. Flamboyant carving off-drives, flaying cuts and, above all, the Dilscoops, dominate his innings. The latter is a frighteningly risky shot that requires timing, skill and sheer courage. Dilshan is the ultimate entertainer as he proved by introducing the Dilscoop during the World T20 in England. His 60 innings have produced 1582 runs at an average of 30.42. No. 3: Virat Kohli – 1212 Runs: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) The most consistent batsmen in T20Is, the Indian run-machine Virat Kohli bats with typical subcontinental flair. The right-hander has a special gift of timing and placement. He is also capable of producing the big hits whenever needed. Someone who wears his heart on his sleeve, Kohli is an aggressive cricketer who loves a contest. His 30 innings have produced 1212 runs at a stunning average of 55.09. Kohli has become the most dependable batsmen in the Indian team. No. 4: Jean-Paul Duminy – 905 Runs: South African batsman Jean-Paul Duminy. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) JP Duminy was identified very early on as a potential international player, but having made his ODI debut in 2004, it was another three years before he cemented a regular place in the team. Now he has become a regular member and a reliable batsman in the South African team. The southpaw’s batting is elegant and graceful, with a silky cover-drive and a strong square cut. There is also a calmness about his play which proves an assuring sight for his teammates. His 29 innings have produced 905 runs at an average of 43.10. No. 5: Eoin Morgan – 736 Runs: England captain Eoin Morgan. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Eoin Morgan has long been considered one of England’s most bankable limited-overs performers. He is now the skipper of the side in the shorter formats and done well to encourage his team to play an aggressive brand of cricket. The southpaw has a reputation for inventive and audacious stroke play. Morgan also possessed the patience and power of shot to be a natural finisher – a role England struggled to fill for a decade. His 25 innings have produced 736 runs at an average of 43.29. No. 6: Shahid Afridi – 468 Runs: Pakistan’s cricketer Shahid Afridi. (Photo by ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) The Pakistan T20I captain is one of the game’s biggest hitters and a mercurial character. His batting may lack the consistency, however, provides enough excitement to keep the fans interested. His fast leg-breaks have also proved highly effective in the shorter formats of the game. ‘Boom Boom’, as he is fondly called by his fans, remains a superstar and a magnetic crowd-puller in world cricket. His 32 innings have produced 468 runs at an average of 18.00. No. 7: Abdul Razzaq – 294 Runs: Pakistan cricketer Abdul Razzaq. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/GettyImages) Abdul Razzaq was once rapid enough to open the bowling for Pakistan and showed composure to bat anywhere though he was most effective in the lower-order. His batting won many matches for his team from tricky situations in a run-chase as he played the role of a finisher perfectly in the shorter formats of the game. His prodigious array of strokes included strong driving through covers and mid-off, off both front and back foot. His 20 innings produced 294 runs at an average of 19.60 at the said position. No. 8: Mashrafe Mortaza – 1992 Runs: Bangladesh. (© MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) The inspirational captain of the national team, Mashrafe Mortaza has been a loyal servant of Bangladesh cricket. A fine fast bowler, Mortaza is also a hard hitter of the ball. He has led the national team to great success in recent times in ODIs and will be looking to replicate the same success in T20Is as well. Bangladesh’s torchbearer has played 17 innings scoring 199 runs at an average of 14.21. No. 9: Umar Gul – 127 Runs: Umar Gul. (© Getty Images) The least-hyped but most successful and assured Pakistan pace product of the last few years, Umar Gul was a regular member of the limited-overs side until injuries started to hamper his case. He isn’t express but bowls a very quick heavy ball and his exceptional control and ability to extract seam movement marks him out. Known for bowling accurate yorkers, Gul also uses the long handle to good effect in white ball cricket. His 18 innings have produced 127 runs at an average of 10.58. No. 10: Saeed Ajmal – 75 Runs: Saeed Ajmal. (Photo Source: AFP) The Pakistani off-spinner was super successful in the T20 format and was considered one of the finest exponents of spin bowling however in 2014 he was banned by the ICC because of an illegal bowling action. He worked on his bowling action, remodelled it and made an international comeback albeit an unsuccessful one. A modern-day off-spinner who relies on the doosra as much as on other variations of flight and speed, Ajmal made a relatively late entry into international cricket at the age of 30. His 14 innings at number 10 produced 75 runs at 9.38. No. 11: Dewald Nel – 34 Runs: (Photo Source: Twitter) Born in the Transvaal (South Africa), Dewald Nel was a useful member of Scotland’s squad as a steady right-arm fast-medium seamer. He began the 2008 summer with a career-best 4 for 25 against Ireland at Aberdeen and was also one of Scotland’s stand-out bowlers at the World Twenty20 Qualifiers with nine wickets – the most in the tournament. His batting produced 34 runs from 5 innings. Nel last played for his country in 2010. (All stats updated till 10th March 2016) Also read: Top 10 Highest team totals in World T20