Top 10 Leading run scorers in World T20

The shortest format of cricket, Twenty20, is a batsman dominated game. Short boundaries, flat pitches and just 20 overs per innings, gives batsmen the freedom to express themselves. Sixes and fours, over after over, is a common sight in this format of the game. There are some batsmen who have done consistently well in the marquee event of the competition – the World T20. The global event will soon be held on the batting paradises of India and the world is sure to witness some exciting cricket. Here’s a look at 10 leading run scorers in World T20.

10. Kamran Akmal – 524 Runs:

The Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman has 524 runs from 28 innings at an average of 20.96. He strikes the ball at 115.92 while his top score is 73 against Bangladesh. 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. He is currently out of favour with the national selectors hence will not feature in India during the upcoming edition. He opened the innings for his country on several occasions in limited overs cricket and did so with a fair degree of success.

10. Gautam Gambhir – 524 Runs:

Kamran Akmal shares the spot with a man who loved batting against Pakistan. The India opener Gautam Gambhir had famous battles with his team’s arch rivals and also with Akmal whose constant appealing saw Gambhir lose his cool on a few occasions. The southpaw’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 and he has the top score of 75 which was registered against Pakistan in the famous final at the Bullring. Gambhir will also not feature in the global tourney this time around.

9. Yuvraj Singh – 541 Runs:

The man who recently made a comeback to the national T20 side has been one of India’s biggest match-winners ever in limited-overs cricket. Yuvi’s innings in World T20 have produced 541 runs at an average of 25.76. His strike rate is 132.59 having faced 408 balls. He has 4 half-centuries and has hammered 35 fours and a remarkable 31 sixes. He remained unbeaten on 3 occasions and has the top score of 70. This was a belligerent knock off just 30 balls in the semi-final of the 2007 edition that knocked the Aussies out of the competition. Yuvi will look to add to his tally in the latest edition of the tourney.

8. Kevin Pietersen – 580 Runs:

One of the greatest batsmen of his generation, KP is still scoring runs around the world in the shortest format however won’t showcase his skills in India due to reasons best known to his country’s cricket board. A magnetic crowd-puller, KP has a vast legion of fans in India who will surely miss 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. His top score was 79 against Zimbabwe in the 2007 edition.

7. Rohit Sharma – 585 Runs:

His class and current form make him one of the best in the business. When in flow, Rohit Sharma is pure class and elegance. His performances will hold the key to India’s success at home. The right-handed Mumbaikar’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. He has remained unbeaten on 8 occasions and has the top score of 79 not out against the Aussies in the Caribbean. For an opener, Rohit has shown tremendous consistency in white ball cricket.

6. AB de Villiers – 607 Runs:

The South African is a kind of batsman who can single-handedly win a match for his team. His dazzling footwork and amazing hand-eye coordination make him unpredictable yet unbeatable. A nightmare for the bowlers and captains alike, his temperament and ability to pace the innings are secondary to none. Much will depend on him if the Proteas are to lay their hands on the trophy in India. AB’s 25 innings include 4 not outs, 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 and has the best of 79 not out against Scotland in London.

5. Brendon McCullum – 637 Runs:

Few batsmen can tear away a bowling attack in the manner in which this New Zealander can. Having recently retired from all forms of international cricket, the Kiwis will surely miss his services. 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 with the top score of 123 against Bangladesh in Kandy. McCullum remained unbeaten on 3 occasions.

4. Kumar Sangakkara – 661 Runs:

Arguably the greatest batsman from the Island nation of Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara is an epitome of grace and elegance. The southpaw had a long and successful international career being a loyal servant of Sri Lankan cricket. He has now retired from all form of international cricket, however, continues to thrill his fans by playing in T20 leagues around the world. 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 remained unbeaten on 4 occasions and has an equal number of fifties. His top score in the global event is 68 against West Indies in Barbados.

3. Tillakaratne Dilshan – 764 Runs:

One of the great T20 batsmen, the Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan is renowned for his batting exploits. At the crease, he is pure theatre. 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 30 innings have produced 764 runs at an average of 29.38 and a strike rate of 124.22. He has 5 fifties including a top score of 96 not out against West Indies in London. He has hit 88 fours and 15 sixes in the tourney.

2. Chris Gayle – 807 Runs:

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. The big man is also a magnetic crowd-puller and has a vast legion of fans around the world. When in flow he is almost impossible to stop and can take the game away from an opposition within a matter of a few overs. Chris Gayle 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. His top score is the magnificent 117 he scored against South Africa at the Bullring in the first ever World T20 match in 2007.

1. Mahela Jayawardene – 1016 Runs:

In a version of cricket that sees cross-batted shot and humongous hits, one man seemed determined to prove that there is no substitute to timing and placement in any form of the game. The Sri Lankan master batsman Mahela Jayawardene did it with grace and touch play of the highest class. One of the great Test batsmen of his generation, Mahela adjusted his game beautifully to the demands of T20 cricket. He 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. His top score is 100 against Zimbabwe in Guyana. He has now retired from international cricket.

All stats updated till 7th March 2016.