hero-image

Most runs in a calendar year in T20Is

Chris Gayle has most of the T20 records but doesn't feature in this list

Although T20s may be the most popular format in cricket at the moment, the majority of the matches that are played in the format are domestic ones. In fact, while there are plenty domestic T20 matches that happen around the globe, the number of T20I matches for any side in a year is rarely in excess of 15.

Unlike ODIs and Tests, no player has been able to score more than 1,000 runs in a calendar year and so far only one has even breached the 500-run mark mainly due to the lack of games that teams play in a year.

Somewhat surprisingly, Chris Gayle, who holds four of the top five best tally of runs in a calendar year in T20s doesn't feature in the top five, while two Indians do. So who holds the record for the most runs in the calendar year in T20Is?

5. Sabbir Rahman (2016)

Sabbir Rahman

Arguably the most surprising addition on this list is that of Sabbir Rahman. While his place on this list might be down to the fact that only Rohit Sharma has played more T20I games than him in 2016 (on this list), there can be little doubt about his consistency and whether he deserves a spot on this list.

By virtue of playing in the Asia Cup, the qualifying stage of the World T20 and the World T20 that followed it earlier in the year, Sabbir Rahman has managed to score in excess of 450 runs in a calendar year despite having just two T20I fifties to his name.

While his tally of fifties is the lowest on this list, given the fact that Bangladesh might yet play some T20Is before the year comes to an end, he might finish the year much higher than fifth place, which will be a massive achievement, irrespective of how many games he has played.

You may also like