West Indies’ wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran broke the record for most runs in T20s in a calendar year. The record was previously held by Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan with 2,036 runs in 2021.
The T20 numbers include T20Is, franchise T20 cricket and domestic T20 cricket. Rizwan has scored 2,036 runs from 45 innings at an average of 56.66 including one century and 18 fifties.
With a 15-ball 27 for Trinbago Knight Riders against Barbados Royals in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024, Pooran now has 2,059 runs at an average over 42. He is yet to score a century this year despite a few scores in 90s this year. He has 14 fifties in the year 2024 so far.
When comparing Rizwan and Pooran, the latter's strike rate stands out. Rizwan has a strike rate of 132.03 compared to Pooran's 160.63. Throughout the year, the southpaw has played for Duban Super Giants, Lucknow Super Giants, MI Emirates, MI New York, Northern Super Chargers, Rangpur Riders, Knight Riders and West Indies. On the other hand, Rizwan played for Khyber Pakhtunwha, Multan Sultans and Pakistan.
This is the third time Pooran has scored 1,000 or more runs in T20s. He achieved the feat in 2019 and 2023 as well.
Pooran’s run in CPL 2024
As Pooran broke the all-time T20 record for most runs in a calendar year, Knight Riders beat the ROyals by 30 runs at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad. Pooran has been in sublime form of late. He has scored 312 runs from nine innings at an average of 39. He has scored two fifties. His strike rate is an impressive 175.28.
Pooran way ahead of others
In 2024, Pooran is by far leading the race. The next in line is South Africa's Reeza Hendricks with 1,555 runs from 47 innings. He is followed by Pakistan's Babar Azam who has 1,480 runs from 35 innings. Austrlaian opener Travis Head is in the race too with 1,442 runs from 39 innings.
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