In the first part of this series, we analysed the best openers since the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup in terms of the BASRA (Aggregate of Batting Average and Strike-rate) system. Here, we take a look at the best middle-order batsmen (positions 3 to 5) during this time period (filter: minimum 500 runs and players from the 18 teams featuring in T20 World Cup 2020).
Glenn Maxwell (BASRA: 196.88)
The Australian international is no surprise in this list. Sitting at the top, Maxwell has been so good since 2016 that he has scored the fourth most number of runs, 754 in total at an excellent average and strike-rate of 44.35 and 152.63 respectively, during this period. These runs include two centuries, which include a best of 113*, and four fifties as well.
Shoaib Malik (BASRA: 196.50)
The veteran batsman from Pakistan is third in the list of most runs by a middle-order batsman during this period. However, a higher BASRA propels him up to the second spot. Malik has amassed a total of 845 runs since 2016 at an outstanding average of 46.94 and an equally good strike-rate of 149.56. He has scored three fifties during this period and that includes the best score of 58*.
Virat Kohli (BASRA: 195.39)
It was only a matter of time before the Indian skipper makes his appearances in the list. He is, in fact, not only the all-time highest run-getter in T20Is at present but has also scored the most runs among middle-order batsmen (3 to 5) since the last T20 World Cup.
But a marginally lower BASRA than Malik and Maxwell sees him dropping down to third in the list of best batsmen during this timeframe. Since 2016, Kohli has amassed a total of 1027 runs while batting in the middle-order at a sensational average of 51.35 and a good strike-rate of 144.04.
KL Rahul (BASRA: 192.71)
KLRahul has batted in varied positions in his T20I career for India and 14 of those innings have come in the middle-order as well. He has scored 439 runs during these outings at an average and strike-rate of 43.90 and 148.81 respectively. Not only that, he has scored two centuries while batting in the middle-order too. That tells a lot about how adaptable he is as a batsman.
Eoin Morgan (BASRA: 187.87)
The England skipper has been fabulous in the middle-order since 2016. His position has actually remained unaffected by the BASRA system. Morgan finds himself in the same fifth position as he does in the list of most runs during this timeframe. His tally of 733 runs has come at a healthy average of 38.58 and an excellent strike-rate of 149.29. And he has scored six fifties while amassing these runs.
