Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle is a legendary batter in the T20 format. He holds the record for most T20 centuries, highest individual score in T20s and most runs in the fast-paced format as well. However, records are meant to be broken. Currently, there are a few batters chasing Gayle’s record for most runs in T20 career. One of the frontrunners in that department is England's T20 World Cup 2022-winning opener Alex Hales.
Currently in action for Trinbago Knight Riders in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025, Hales crossed the 14,000-run mark on August 30. He is the second-highest run-scorer in T20s, just ahead of his teammate Kieron Pollard who recently crossed the 14,000-run mark as well.
T20’s top 3 run-scorers
Gayle aka self-proclaimed 'Universe Boss' has 14,562 runs in T20s (T20Is, domestic T20s and franchises T20 cricket) from 463 games at an average of 36.22, including 22 centuries and 88 fifties. His strike rate is 144.75.
Hales who scored a half-century in the previous game for Trinbago Knight Riders is not too far behind. The former English opener has 14,024 runs from 509 games at an average of 30.02 and strike rate of 145.44. He has seven centuries and 89 fifties in the T20 format.
It will be interesting to see whether Pollard wins the race to the top against Hales. The former West Indies captain has scored 14,012 runs from 713 games at an average of 31.70 and strike rate of 150.87. The all-rounder has just one century and 64 fifties to his name.
Others in contention
Among active T20 cricketers, other batters to score 13,000 or more runs are Australia's David Warner (13,595 runs), Pakistan's Shoaib Malik (13,571 runs), India's Virat Kohli (13,543 runs) and England's Jos Buttler (13,338 runs).
Hales’ numbers in CPL 2025
In the ongoing CPL 2025, Hales has been in good form. He has scored 210 runs from six innings at an average of 42 and strike rate of 141.89, featuring two half-centuries.
Chance for Hales and Pollard to move up
Trinbago Knight Riders have four league stage games left in the season. They are at the top of the points table with five wins from six games. They are likely to make it to qualifiers. This means that Hales and Pollard will have chances to reduce the game between them and Gayle.