Top 10 batsmen with most fours in World T20

In Twenty20 cricket, there are more chances of seeing sixes over after over than in ODIs or Test cricket because batsmen play more freely in this shortest version than they do otherwise. Twenty20 is a batsman dominated game. Short boundaries, flat pitches and just 20 overs per innings, gives batsmen the freedom to express themselves. Stroke players of the highest class have entertained fans around the world with their batting in the format since its inception. Here’s a look at 10 batsmen who have hit most fours in World T20: 10. AB de Villiers- 46: South Africa batsman AB de Villiers. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) The South African has a dazzling footwork and an amazing hand-eye coordination that allows him to score runs on either side of the wickets. He is unpredictable yet unbeatable. A nightmare for the bowlers and captains alike, his temperament and ability to pace the innings are secondary to none. AB’s 25 innings have produced 607 runs and 4 fifties. He has faced 439 balls and his average is 28.90 while striking at 138.26. He has hit 46 fours and 21 sixes with his exceptional stroke play. Few drive the ball as sweetly as this man does. 9. Kamran Akmal- 50: Kamran Akmal. (© Getty Images) The Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman has 524 runs from 28 innings at an average of 20.96. He strikes the ball at 115.92. He has hit 3 fifties and hammered 50 fours and 16 sixes having faced 452 balls in the competition. Akmal managed to remain unbeaten on 3 occasions. The purity of his drives and the strength of his cutting and pulling, particularly on slower subcontinent surfaces, have always been strong. There has been little doubt about Akmal’s batting but his glovework deteriorated alarmingly which resulted in him being axed from the national side. 8. Rohit Sharma- 52: Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: AFP) For an opener, Rohit Sharma is a model of consistency in white ball cricket. His class and current form make him one of the best in the world. When in flow, Rohit Sharma is pure class and elegance. Rohit has a knack of finding gaps and appears to have extra time compared to most batsmen when he plays his shots. The right-hander’s 20 innings have produced 585 runs at an average of 48.75. He has hammered 52 fours and 20 maximums. Having faced 447 deliveries his strike rate is 130.87 and features 6 half-centuries. 7. Kevin Pietersen- 60: English batsman Kevin Pietersen. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) A modern day great, KP continues to be a hit around the world in the shortest format. A magnetic crowd-puller, KP has a vast legion of fans who adore his flamboyant stroke play. The Englishman played 15 innings and scored 580 runs at an average of 44.61 and a stunning strike rate of 148.33. He hit 4 fifties and spanked 17 sixes and 60 fours off the 391 balls he faced in the tournament. Pietersen’s ability to command attention on the field has been matched only by his ability to divide opinion off it. 6. Gautam Gambhir- 61: Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/GettyImages) The India opener Gautam Gambhir’s 20 innings have produced 524 runs at an average of 26.20 including 4 fifties. He hammered 61 fours and 6 sixes. Having faced 444 balls his strike rate is 118.01. Gambhir was one of the most complete batsmen between 2008 and the 2011 World Cup. He opened well in all three forms of the game. He could play as aggressively as Virender Sehwag did and also the kind of back-to-the-wall innings that would do Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman proud. He has been disappointing after the 2011 World Cup with his technical flaws dominating his other attributes. 5. Kumar Sangakkara- 63: Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo by MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Arguably the greatest batsman from the Island nation of Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara is an epitome of grace and elegance. His cuts and pulls remain a thrilling sight in cricket. The southpaw had a long and successful international career being a loyal servant of Sri Lankan cricket. Sanga played 30 innings in World T20 and scored 661 runs at an average of 25.42 and a strike rate of 112.22. He faced 589 balls and spanked 63 fours and 11 sixes. He scored 4 fifties in the competition. 3. Brendon McCullum- 67: New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum. (Photo by PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) One of New Zealand’s finest ever batsmen, Brendon McCullum recently retired from international cricket. He loved to tear away a bowling attack and stamp his authority. Brash, brutal and brilliant to watch, McCullum played many memorable knocks for his country. One of the great entertainers in the history of cricket, the right-handed dasher played 25 World T20 innings. He scored 637 runs at an average of 28.95. He faced 496 balls striking at 128.42 featuring 67 fours and 19 sixes. He made 2 fifties and a hundred in the marquee event. 3. Chris Gayle- 67: Chris Gayle. (Photo Source: AFP) Sharing the 3rd spot with the Kiwi is a like-minded batsman. The Jamaican is the greatest T20 batsman of all-time. The sheer strength and timing of the southpaw have given anxious moments to bowlers around the world. A magnetic crowd-puller, Gayle is almost impossible to stop when in flow. He has played 22 innings for his 807 runs at an average of 40.35 and a strike rate of 141.82. He has hit a staggering 49 sixes and 67 fours from the 569 balls he has faced. He has 7 fifties and a hundred in the marquee event. 2. Tillakaratne Dilshan- 88: Tillakaratne Dilshan. (© Getty Images) One of the great T20 batsmen, the Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan is renowned for his ruthless batting. He is technically sound, but, much like Sehwag, he uses the defensive option only as a last resort, after all the attacking alternatives have been explored. He loves hitting flamboyant off-drives and cuts. Dilshan is the ultimate entertainer as he proved by introducing the Dilscoop during the World T20 in England. His 30 innings have produced 764 runs at an average of 29.38 and a strike rate of 124.22. He has 5 fifties in the tourney. 1. Mahela Jayawardene- 111: Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka. (Photo by Graham Crouch-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) The Sri Lankan master batsman Mahela Jayawardene was known for his Test match batting but adjusted beautifully to the demands of T20 cricket. Graceful and renowned for touch play of the highest class, Mahela would often open the innings for his team and lay a strong foundation for others to build on. He played 31 innings and scored 1016 runs at an average of 39.07 including 1 ton and 6 fifties. His strike rate was an impressive 134.74 helped by 111 fours and 25 sixes. When in flow, Mahela was elegance personified. (All stats updated till 12th March 2016) Also read: Top 10 Highest team totals in World T20