The first T20I was played back in 2005 between Australia and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. Since then, a number of batters have shown their class in shorter formats. But a number of them have also got out in single-digit scores quite a few times in T20Is.
The batters are mostly attacking in nature and go for their shots from the word go. While they have scored plenty of runs for their national teams, they have also got out cheaply plenty of times in their careers.
In the article, let’s take a look at batters with the most single-digit scores in T20Is
1. Rohit Sharma – 45
Rohit Sharma, the skipper of the Indian ODI and T20I teams, tops the list of batters with the most single-digit scores in T20Is. The 34-year-old went to the top after he scored five runs off nine balls against Sri Lanka in the third T20I at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
Dushmantha Chameera accounted for his wicket in the match. During the game, Rohit also became the highest-capped player in T20Is, having played 125 matches since his debut in 2007.
2. Kevin O’Brien – 44
Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien can play the big shots, but his attacking approach has led to his downfall quite a few times. Hence, he is second on the list of batters with the most single-digit scores in T20Is. The veteran is only 27 runs short of becoming the first Ireland batter with 2000 T20I runs.
In 110 matches, O’Brien has scored 1973 runs at an average of 21.21 with a top score of 124. He has also opened the batting for Ireland in T20Is. The fact that he has picked up 185 wickets makes him a useful cricketer as well.
3. Mushfiqur Rahim – 41
Mushfiqur Rahim has been a fulcrum of the Bangladesh batting unit of late for 15 years, although he has had a tough time in T20Is. The Bogra-born cricketer is third in the list of most single-digit scores by a batter in T20Is.
In 99 matches, Rahim has averaged under 20, having scored only 1465 runs with a top score of an unbeaten 72. Recently, the veteran was also dropped from the T20I team due to a lack of form.
4. Shahid Afridi – 40
Shahid Afridi is known for throwing the kitchen sink at everything when it comes to batting. It’s one of the reasons why he features in the list of batters with the most single-digit scores in T20Is. The veteran, nevertheless, was a true entertainer during his heydays.
In 99 matches, Afridi scored 1416 runs at an average of 17.92 with a top score of an unbeaten 54. He also picked up 98 wickets in the format, making him a useful cricketer in T20Is. He made his debut in 2006 and played international cricket for 12 years.
5. Mahmudullah – 37
Mahmudullah is currently the leading run-scorer for Bangladesh in T20Is. The Mymensingh-born has notched 1971 runs from 113 matches at an average of 24.03 with a top score of an unbeaten 64. But he also features in the list of batters with the most single-digit scores in T20Is.
Mahmudullah is currently the skipper of the Tigers in T20Is, having played 14 years of cricket in the format. He has also picked up 36 wickets, with best bowling figures of 3/10. Last year, he retired from Test cricket after the series against Zimbabwe.