Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Rizwan currently holds the record for scoring the most runs in a calendar year in T20 internationals.
The star wicket-keeper batter amassed 1,326 runs in 29 matches in 2021 at an impressive average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89. He smashed one hundred and hit 12 half-centuries in 2021.
Rizwan finished as the third-highest run-getter during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates in 2021. The right-handed batter scored 281 runs in six matches at an average of 70.25 and a strike rate of 127.72. He hit three fifties in the ICC T20 marquee event.
Rizwan’s scintillating form powered Pakistan to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Australia. Rizwan features again at third on the list, scoring 996 runs in 25 matches in 2022.
India's Suryakumar Yadav is second on this list for the most runs in a calendar year in T20 internationals.
The swashbuckling batter has accumulated 1040 runs in 29 matches in 2022 at a strike rate of 185.71 and an average of 43.33.
Rizwan’s opening batter partner Babar Azam is fourth on the list, having accumulated 939 runs in 29 matches in 2021 at an average of 37.56 and a strike rate of 127.58. He registered one century and nine fifties during that time period.
Babar was the leading run-scorer in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, amassing 303 runs in six matches at an average of 60.60 and a strike rate of 126.25. He recorded four half-centuries in the T20 tournament.
Former India Captain Virat Kohli is fifth on the list. Kohli has scored 781 runs in 20 matches at an average of 55.78 and a strike rate of 138.23 in 2022.
Ireland cricketer Paul Sterling completes the top six. The Irish veteran scored 748 runs in 20 matches in 2019 at a strike rate of 140.60 and an average of 41.55 in 2019. The Irishman is followed by Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza, who has amassed 735 runs in 24 matches in 2022.
Among Indians, Shikhar Dhawan has the record for the third most runs in a calendar year in T20 internationals. Dhawan amassed 689 runs in 18 matches at a strike rate of 147.22 while also maintaining an average of 40.52 in 2018. He registered six fifties during 2018.
Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka and Kevin O'Brien of Ireland also appear in the top 10 list.
Most runs in a calendar year in T20 internationals
| Player | Year | Matches | Runs | Average | SR | 100s | 50s |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 2021 | 29 | 1326 | 73.66 | 134.89 | 1 | 12 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 2022* | 29 | 1040 | 43.33 | 185.71 | 1 | 9 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 2022* | 25 | 996 | 45.27 | 122.96 | 0 | 10 |
| Babar Azam | 2021 | 29 | 939 | 37.56 | 127.58 | 1 | 9 |
| Virat Kohli | 2022* | 20 | 781 | 55.78 | 138.23 | 1 | 8 |
| Paul Sterling | 2019 | 20 | 748 | 41.55 | 140.60 | 0 | 8 |
| Sikandar Raza | 2022* | 24 | 735 | 35.00 | 150.92 | 0 | 5 |
| Babar Azam | 2022* | 26 | 735 | 31.95 | 123.32 | 1 | 5 |
| Kevin O’Brien | 2019 | 23 | 729 | 31.69 | 155.43 | 1 | 3 |
| Pathum Nissanka | 2022* | 24 | 713 | 31.00 | 112.99 | 0 | 6 |
(*) ongoing records.
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Featured photo: Aamir QURESHI / AFP
