Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most sixes in T20 international cricket.

Since making his T20I debut against England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2007, Rohit Sharma has smashed a record 205 sixes in 159 matches so far.

New Zealand’s swashbuckling batter Martin Guptill has the second-most sixes in T20 international cricket. Guptill has hit 173 T20I sixes in 122 matches.

England captain Jos Buttler, Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, India's Suryakumar Yadav, West Indies�?flamboyant batter Nicholas Pooran,  and legendary Chris Gayle are some of the other cricketers with most sixes in T20 international cricket. 

Know the top 10 list with most sixes in T20 international cricket.

Most sixes in T20 international cricket

Player	Span	Matches	Innings	Sixes
Rohit Sharma (IND)	2007-2024	159	151	205
Martin Guptill (NZ)	2009-2022	122	118	173
Jos Buttler (ENG)	2011-2024	124	114	137
Glenn Maxwell (AUS)	2012-2024	113	104	134
Suryakumar Yadav (IND)	2021-2024	68	65	133
Nicholas Pooran (WI)	2016-2024	95	87	132
Paul Stirling (IRE)	2009-2024	145	144	128
Aaron Finch (AUS)	2011-2022	103	103	125
Chris Gayle (WI)	2006-2021	79	75	124
Virat Kohli (IND)	2010-2024	125	117	124

Rohit Sharma | 205 T20I sixes

Rohit Sharma is known for his six-hitting prowess in the international as well as domestic circuit. Between 2007 and 2024, Rohit has clobbered 205 maximums in T20 international cricket -  the most by any cricketer in the T20I format. He also holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, having hit 612 sixes in 480 matches so far.

Martin Guptill | 173 T20I sixes

New Zealand’s accomplished opening batter Martin Guptill follows Rohit on the list for most sixes in T20 international cricket. Having made his T20 international debut against arch-rivals Australia in 2009, Guptill has smashed 173 T20I sixes in 122 matches. Overall, the New Zealand cricketer has smacked 383 maximums in international cricket so far.

Jos Buttler | 137 T20I sixes

England captain Jos Buttler slammed 137 sixes in T20 international cricket, the third-most in history. Between 2011 and 2024, Buttler has been a consistent performer for the star-studded England cricket team in white-ball cricket. He clobbered a total of 340 maximums in his international career.

Glenn Maxwell | 134 T20I sixes 

Australian hard-hitter Glenn Maxwell is third on this list for most sixes in international cricket. The Australian all-rounder has smashed 134 sixes in T20Is and has done so in 113 matches. Overall, Maxwell has smashed 291 maximums in 250 international matches.

Suryakumar Yadav | 133 T20I sixes

The top-order batter is the second Indian to feature on the list. In his short T20i career so far from 2021 to date, spanning across 68 matches, Suryakumar has banged 133 sixes. He overtook Nicholas Pooran's spot during India's T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Final game against England. Overall in his international career, the power-hitter has struck 152 sixes. 

Nicholas Pooran | 132 T20I sixes

One of the most destructive T20 batters of all time, West Indies�?Nicholas Pooran features sixth on the list for most sixes in T20 international cricket. Since making his T20I debut against Pakistan in Dubai in 2016, Pooran smashed 132 T20I sixes in just 95 matches. Overall, Pooran has clobbered 212 maximums in his international career.

Photo credit: Alamy

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam holds the record for the most 50+ scores in T20Is. 

Babar Azam has registered 39 fifty-plus scores in T20Is since making his international debut against England in September 2016.

The Lahore-born cricketer surpassed Virat Kohli for the most 50+ scores in T20Is after he slammed a match-winning fifty against Ireland in a series-deciding game at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin.

Chasing 179, Babar Azam scored 75 off just 42 balls to help Pakistan chase down the target in just 17 overs. His scintillating knock guided Pakistan to a 2-1 series win over Ireland in the three-match T20I series.

Previously, former India captain Virat Kohli held the record for the most 50+ scores in T20Is. Kohli has 38 fifty-plus scores in T20 internationals in his illustrious career. 

The likes of Rohit Sharma, Mohammad Rizwan, David Warner, KL Rahul, Paul Stirling and Jos Buttler are some of the other cricketers to feature in the list of most 50+ scores in T20Is.

Know players with most 50+ scores in T20Is.

Most 50+ scores in T20Is

Player	Span	Matches	100s	50s	50+ scores
Babar Azam	2016-2024	117	3	36	39
Virat Kohli	2010-2024	117	1	37	38
Rohit Sharma	2007-2024	151	5	29	34
Mohammad Rizwan	2015-2024	96	1	28	29
David Warner	2009-2024	103	1	26	27
KL Rahul	2016-2022	72	2	22	24
Paul Stirling	2009-2024	139	1	23	24
Jos Buttler	2011-2023	114	1	22	23
Martin Guptill	2009-2022	122	2	20	22
Suryakumar Yadav	2021-2023	60	4	17	21

Babar Azam

Pakistan talisman Babar Azam currently tops the list of the most 50+ scores in T20Is. The stylish right-handed batter has scored 36 fifties in the T20I format. Babar has also slammed three centuries in T20I cricket. Overall, the Pakistan’s T20I captain has registered 39 fifty-plus scores in 117 matches in cricket’s shortest format.

Virat Kohli

India’s Virat Kohli features second on the list of the most 50+ scores in T20Is. The swashbuckling batter has hit 37 half-centuries in T20 internationals. Kohli has also hammered a T20I hundred against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup clash in Dubai in 2022. The former India skipper has recorded 38 fifty-plus scores so far. 

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is third on the list of the most 50+ scores in T20Is. Since making his T20I debut against England in 2007, Rohit has scored 29 fifties in cricket’s shortest format. The flamboyant opening batter also has the record for the most centuries in T20I cricket with Australia’s Glenn Maxwell. Both have smashed five T20I centuries till date. Overall, Rohit has registered 34 fifty-plus scores in 151 matches in T20I cricket.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Clontarf Cricket Club Ground is a cricket stadium located in the suburb of Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland. 

Also known as Castle Avenue Cricket Ground, the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground was established in 1958 and has a seating capacity of 3,200.

Clontarf is one of only four One Day International (ODI) grounds on the island of Ireland.

The Clontarf Cricket Club Ground staged its first ODI match played between Bangladesh and West Indies during the 1999 Cricket World Cup. West Indies won the game by seven wickets.

Ireland played their first ODI at Clontarf against the West Indies as part of a quadrangular series in July 2007.

In 2015, it hosted its first T20 international match played between Oman and Afghanistan during an ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.

Since then, it has staged three T20 international matches so far. Let’s have a closer look at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground T20I records and stats.

Clontarf Cricket Club Ground T20I records and stats

Highest total

The Pakistan cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in T20I cricket. In May 2024, Pakistan scored 195/3 while chasing Ireland’s 193/7, which is the record T20 total at the venue in Dublin. Chasing 194, Pakistan rode on Mohammad Rizwan's 75 not out off 46 balls and Fakhar Zaman's 40-ball 78 to chase down the target in 16.5 overs. Earlier, the Pakistan restricted Ireland to below 200 courtesy Shaheen Shah Afridi’s three-wicket haul. Pakistan won the game by seven wickets.

Lowest total

Ireland also registered the lowest total at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in the T20I format. Chasing 118, Ireland were restricted to 114/9 in their 20 overs by Zimbabwe during a T20I game in August 2021. For Zimbabwe, Ryan Burl bagged three wickets while Wellington Masakadza and Luke Jongwe scalped two wickets each to guide them to a thrilling three-run win. Simi Singh top-scored for Ireland with 28 not out. Earlier, Regis Chakabva’s 47 off 28 balls powered Zimbabwe to 117/7. 

Most runs

Ireland cricketer Andy Balbirnie scored the most runs at the venue in T20I cricket. Andy Balbirnie amassed 104 runs in four matches at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 118.18. The swashbuckling right-handed batter also slammed one fifty in the T20I format at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground. Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman features second on the list with 98 runs in two matches at an average of 49 and a strike rate of 168.96.

Most wickets

Zimbabwe’s Ryan Burl has picked up the most wickets at this cricket ground in the T20I format. The leg-spinner has scalped five wickets in two matches at an average of 9.20 and an economy of 5.75. He has registered best bowling figures of 3/22 against Ireland at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in T20I cricket. South African-born Irish cricketer Shane Getkate is second on the list with four T20I wickets in just two matches at this venue.

Highest individual score

Flamboyant southpaw Fakhar Zaman has the record for the highest individual score at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in T20I cricket. Batting at number four, Fakhar Zaman slammed 78 off 40 balls against Ireland to guide Pakistan to a seven-wicket win in Dublin. Fakhar Zaman’s match-winning knock was laced with six fours and as many maximums. Earlier, Ireland posted 193/7 in their 20 overs. 

Best bowling figures

Ireland’s Shane Getkate has the best bowling figures at this venue in the T20I format. The right-arm medium fast bowler registered match-winning figures of 3/20 against Zimbabwe during a T20I in 2021. Shane Getkate dismissed Wessly Madhevere, Regis Chakabva and Dion Myers to restrict Zimbabwe to 152/5 in their 20 overs. Ireland later chased down the target in 18.3 overs to win the match by seven wickets.

Highest partnership

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman hold the record for the highest partnership at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in T20I cricket. Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman stitched an incredible 140-run stand for the third wicket against Ireland to help Pakistan chase down 194 in 16.5 overs. Fakhar scored 78 while Rizwan remained unbeaten on 75. Pakistan won the game comprehensively by seven wickets.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Rose Bowl is a cricket venue in Southampton, England. It is home to Hampshire County Cricket Club, the England cricket team and has hosted several international matches.

Established in 2001, the venue hosted its first men’s international game in the Natwest Series 2003, when Zimbabwe took on South Africa. The Proteas won the game by seven wickets.

The picturesque stadium also played host to the inaugural final of the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship between India and New Zealand, resulting in the Kiwis being crowned the inaugural World Test Champions.

The Rose Bowl has a seating capacity of 6,500 but it gets increased to 20,000 with temporary seating.

To date, Rose Bowl has hosted more than 30 ODIs. Here's a closer look at the ODI records and stats at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.

Rose Bowl, Southampton ODI records and Stats

Most runs

Former England captain Eoin Morgan holds the record for scoring the most ODI runs at the Rose Bowl. The Ireland-born batter has amassed 752 runs in 15 innings at an average of 75.20.

Morgan smacked three ODI hundreds at the Rose Bowl, with his highest score being a match-winning 107* against Pakistan in 2010.  

Most wickets

English leg spinner Adil Rashid holds the record for picking the most ODI wickets at the Rose Bowl. The Yorkshire leggie has scalped 14 wickets in 10 innings with an economy of 5.55. 

In 2015, Adil returned with 4/59 against Australia, making it his best ODI figures at the venue. 

Highest individual score

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill holds the record for making the highest individual score at Rose Bowl. Guptill smashed 189* off 155 balls against hosts, England in the second ODI of New Zealand’s tour of England in 2013.

Striking at over 120, Guptill’s match-winning knock included 19 fours and a couple of sixes. Kiwis won the game comfortably by 86 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series and his knock is one of the highest individual scores in ODIs. 

Best bowling figures

West Indies pacer Mervyn Dillon picked five wickets for 29 runs from 10 overs against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004. It is the best bowling figures by any bowler in One-Day internationals at this venue and helped West Indies win the game by 138 runs as they successfully defended their total of 269.

Highest team total

Riding on Jos Buttler’s whirlwind 110* and Eoin Morgan’s unbeaten 71-run knock, England posted 373 for three against Pakistan in 2019 at Rose Bowl. It is the highest team total in ODIs at this venue and helped the hosts win the contest by 12 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 5-match ODI series.

Lowest team total

In the 2004 Champions Trophy, USA were bundled out for 65 runs by Australia. A 4-fer each by Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie reduced the USA to a below-par total.

This is the lowest team total in ODIs at Rose Bowl and Australia went on to win the game by nine wickets with almost 42 overs to spare.

Highest partnership

Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie added 214 runs for the second wicket against England in the third ODI of Ireland’s tour of England in 2020. 

This remains only the second instance when a batting pair scored 200 or more ODI runs together at the venue. Ireland staged a record chase against the hosts to reach a target of 329 and won the contest by seven wickets with a ball remaining. England still won the series 2-1.

Photo credit: Alamy

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli with 4,008 runs in 115 matches holds the record for scoring the most number of runs in T20 internationals. Kohli's batting average of 52.73 is among the best in the format.

Closely following Kohli is the Indian captain Rohit Sharma with 3,853 runs. Rohit has scored four T20I hundreds in the shortest format, the most by any player. 

Third on the list is New Zealand opener, Martin Guptill with 3,531 runs in 122 T20Is. The Kiwi player has smashed 20 half-centuries and has hit 173 sixes - just behind Rohit Sharma's 182.  

Pakistan's Babar Azam is at the fourth spot with 3,355 runs across 99 T20 internationals. 

Ireland's Paul Stirling is ranked fifth amongst players with the most runs in T20Is with 3,181 runs in 121 matches. He is the leading run-scorer for the Irish cricket team in this format. 

Players with most runs in T20 internationals

Players	Matches	Runs	Avg	SR	100/50
Virat Kohli	115	4008	52.73	137.96	1/37
Rohit Sharma	148	3853	31.32	139.24	4/29
Martin Guptill	122	3531	31.81	135.70	2/20
Babar Azam	99	3355	41.41	127.80	2/30
Paul Stirling	121	3181	28.65	134.78	1/21

 

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Featured photo: WILLIAM WEST / AFP

India’s star cricketer Rohit Sharma currently holds the record for playing the most T20 International matches. 

Since making his T20I debut against England at Kingsmead in 2007, Rohit Sharma has already featured in 147 T20 Internationals  - the most by any player in the shortest format of cricket.

Between 2007 and 2022, the current Indian cricket team captain has amassed 3,826 T20I runs in 147 matches at a strike rate of 140.37 while also maintaining a decent average of 31.36. He has smashed four centuries and 29 fifties in his T20I career so far.

Rohit is the fifth cricketer and second Indian to score 2,000 runs in T20I cricket. Virat Kohli, Brendon McCullum, Shoaib Malik and Martin Guptill are the four other cricketers to achieve the incredible feat.

Interestingly, Rohit was part of the Indian side that won the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007.

The Nagpur-born cricketer also played a pivotal role in helping India clinch the inaugural T20I edition of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh in 2016.

Following his impressive run in the T20I format, Rohit was included as an opener in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Decade.

Pakistan batter Shoaib Malik is second on the list for the most T20 International matches.

The former Pakistan captain played 124 T20 internationals since making his debut against England at County Ground in 2006.

Shoaib Malik has scored 2,435 runs at an average of 31.22 and a strike rate of 125.64. He registered nine fifties to his name in international cricket’s shortest format.

Malik was part of the Pakistan team that won their maiden ICC World T20 title at the iconic Lord’s in 2009.

New Zealand’s Martin Guptill features third on the list. Between 2009 and 2022, Guptill has featured in 122 T20 Internationals so far.

The swashbuckling batter made his T20I debut against arch-rivals Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in 2009. The opening batter has accumulated 3,497 runs at an average of 31.79 and a strike rate of 135.80. He has hit two hundreds and 20 fifties in his illustrious T20I career.

Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah and Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan complete this top five list.

While Mahmudullah has played 121 T20 Internationals, Mohammad Hafeez has played 119.

Most T20 international matches

Player	Span	Matches
Rohit Sharma (India)	2007-2022	147
Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)	2006-2021	124
Martin Guptill (New Zealand)	2009-2022	122
Mahmudullah (Bangladesh)	2007-2022	121
Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan)	2006-2021	119
Paul Sterling (Ireland)	2009-2022	119
Eoin Morgan (England)	2009-2022	115
Virat Kohli (India)	2010-2022	114
Kevin O'Brien (Ireland)	2008-2021	110
George Dockrell (Ireland)	2010-2022	105

 

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Featured photo: Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

India talisman Virat Kohli and Pakistan captain Babar Azam hold the record for the fastest to 3000 runs in T20 internationals.

In March 2021, Virat Kohli became the first cricketer to complete 3,000 runs in T20I cricket. Having made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in 2010, Kohli completed 3,000 runs in cricket’s shortest format in just 81 innings. The former India cricket team captain achieved the incredible milestone during the second T20I against England in his 87th T20 international match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Batting at his usual number three position, Kohli smashed an unbeaten 73 off 49 balls to guide India to a seven-wicket win while chasing England’s 164/6. Courtesy Kohli’s match-winning knock, India levelled the five-match series 1-1. The hosts later went on to clinch the T20I series 3-2.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam equalled Virat Kohli’s incredible record for the fastest to 3000 runs in T20 internationals during the sixth T20I against England in Lahore on September 30, 2022. Babar Azam also took 81 innings to complete the feat.

Interestingly, Babar Azam reached the milestone in a span of six years and 23 days since making his T20I debut against England at the Old Trafford in 2016.

Playing his 86th T20 international, the right-handed batter scored a 59-ball 87 not out while opening the innings against England at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Babar Azam’s scintillating innings powered Pakistan to 169/6 in their 20 overs. However, England rode on wicket-keeper batter Phil Salt’s 88-run knock off 41 balls to chase down the total in just 14.3 overs and levelled the seven-match T20I series 3-3.

New Zealand’s opening batter Martin Guptill is third on the fastest to 3000 runs in T20 internationals list. The swashbuckling batter took 101 innings to reach 3,000 runs in T20I cricket. Guptill achieved the milestone during his 105th T20 international while playing against Scotland at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in November 2021.

India’s Rohit Sharma and Paul Sterling of Ireland are the two other cricketers who have completed 3,000 T20I runs so far. 

While India captain Rohit Sharma took 108 innings to reach the landmark, Ireland’s opening batter Paul Sterling achieved the milestone in 113 innings.

Fastest to 3000 runs in T20Is

Player	Matches	Innings	Against	Venue	Match Date
Virat Kohli (IND)	87	81	England	Ahmedabad	14 March 2021
Babar Azam (PAK)	86	81	England	Lahore	30 September 2022
Martin Guptill (NZ)	105	101	Scotland	Dubai	3 November 2021
Rohit Sharma (IND)	116	108	Namibia	Dubai	8 November 2021
Paul Stirling (IRE)	114	113	Afghanistan	Belfast	17 August 2022

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Featured photo: Aamir QURESHI / AFP

Pakistan cricket team duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan share the record for the fastest to 2000 runs in T20 internationals.

Having made his T20I debut against England at Old Trafford in 2016, Babar Azam completed 2000 runs in cricket’s shortest format in just 52 innings. The Pakistan cricket team captain achieved this incredible milestone during the third T20I against Zimbabwe in his 54th T20 international in 2021. 

Batting at number three, the right-handed batter scored 52 runs off 46 balls to help Pakistan post 165/3 in their allotted 20 overs in Harare. In reply, hosts Zimbabwe could only manage 141/7 in their 20 overs as Pakistan secured a 24-run win to clinch the three-match T20I series 2-1.

Meanwhile, Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan equalled his teammate Babar Azam’s record for being the fastest to 2000 runs in T20 internationals. Rizwan also took 52 innings to reach the feat during the first T20I against England in Karachi in 2022.

Playing his 63rd T20 international, Rizwan scored a 46-ball 68 while opening the innings against England at the National Stadium.

The Peshawar-born cricketer made his T20I debut against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in 2015.

India’s star batter Virat Kohli is third on the fastest to 2000 runs in T20Is list. The former India captain took just 56 innings to reach 2000 runs in T20I cricket. Kohli achieved the milestone during his 60th T20 international while playing against hosts England in Manchester in 2018.

India’s KL Rahul and Aaron Finch of Australia complete the top five list. India’s T20I opening batter Rahul reached 2000 T20I runs in 58 innings during the opening match of the three-match series against Australia in Mohali in 2022. While playing his 62nd T20I, Rahul played an impressive 55-run knock-off of just 35 balls, laced with four fours and three maximums. 

On the other hand, Australia white-ball captain Aaron Finch completed 2000 T20I runs in 62 innings during a match against arch-rivals England in Southampton in 2020.

Interestingly, former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum was the first cricketer to reach 2000 T20I runs in 2014. Playing his 67th T20 international against the Netherlands in Chattogram, McCullum achieved the milestone in 66 innings.

Fastest to 2000 runs in T20 internationals

Player	Opposition	Ground	Match Date	Matches	Innings
Babar Azam (PAK)	Zimbabwe	Harare	25 April 2021	54	52
Mohammad Rizwan (PAK)	England	Karachi	20 September 2022	63	52
Virat Kohli (IND)	England	Manchester	3 July 2018	60	56
KL Rahul (IND)	Australia	Mohali	20 September 2022	62	58
Aaron Finch (AUS)	England	Southampton	4 September 2020	62	62
Brendon McCullum (NZ)	Netherlands	Chattogram	29 March 2014	67	66
Martin Guptill (NZ)	Pakistan	Mount Maunganui	28 January 2018	70	68
Mohammad Shahzad (AFG)	Namibia	Abu Dhabi	31 October 2021	68	68
Paul Stirling (IRE)	West Indies	St George's	15 January 2020	73	72
Kane Williamson (NZ)	Australia	Dubai (DSC)	14 November 2021	74	72

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Featured photo: Aamir QURESHI / AFP

India’s KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma hold the record for most 50-plus run partnerships in T20Is, having put on fifty-plus stands a record 14 times in T20 internationals.

The Indian duo achieved this milestone during their Super 4 encounter in Asia Cup 2022 against arch-rivals Pakistan. Overall, they have combined for 14 fifty-plus run partnerships in T20Is and have made 1,628 runs in just 30 innings together.

Accustomed to batting together and comfortable in each other's presence at the crease, Rahul and Rohit have stitched together as many as five century stands between them in T20Is.

The first of these five hundred run stands between the pair came against Sri Lanka in 2017. India beat Sri Lanka by 88 runs in that match as Rohit and Rahul joined forces to stitch together a 165-run stand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Rohit even struck a century in this game, as the pair registered their highest partnership in T20Is.

Their next 100-run partnership came against England at Manchester in 2018, when  Rohit and Rahul put on 123 runs together to guide the Men in Blue to an eight-wicket win. Rahul also reached the magical three-figure mark in this contest by scoring a 54-ball 101.

The star Indian batting duo then struck a 135-run stand against West Indies in 2019 as India won the contest by 67 runs at the Wankhede.

They also made two 100-run stands in 2021. First, they combined to score 140 runs together against Afghanistan in a T20 World Cup match that India won by 66 runs on November 3.

Rahul and Rohit, then, struck 117 runs together just 16 days later against New Zealand at Ranchi. India won the match by seven wickets.

The Rahul-Rohit pairing will likely keep hold of their top position for some time, given one-half of the pair who are second on this list has retired.

Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien feature second on this list. The Irish pair registered 13 fifty-plus run partnerships in T20Is, accumulating 1,720 runs from their 49 innings together before O’Brien’s retirement in 2022.

Paul Stirling, in fact, features twice on this list since he has also stitched 12 fifty-plus run partnerships in T20Is with the current Irish captain Andrew Balbirnie. They have combined to score 1,454 runs in 52 innings together.

Former Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer, along with George Munsey, and New Zealand’s Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson are fourth and fifth respectively on this list.

While Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey have 12 fifty-plus run partnerships and 1,577 runs together from 46 innings, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson have recorded 12 fifty-plus run partnerships and combined for 1,389 runs in just 30 innings with each other.

Most 50-plus run partnerships in T20Is

Partners	Innings	Runs	50-plus run partnerships
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma (IND)	30	1,628	14
Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling (IRE)	49	1,720	13
Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling (IRE)	52	1,454	12
Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey (SCO)	46	1,577	12
Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson (NZ)	30	1,389	12

Author: Andre Pitts

Featured photo: AFP / AAMIR QURESHI

Whether it’s shocking Pakistan at the World Cup in West Indies or getting the better of England in the 2011 World Cup to prove that their surprise win in the 2007 edition of ODI cricket’s grandest stage wasn’t a fluke, Ireland have offered plenty of surprises to the cricketing world over the years. No pushovers by any stretch of the imagination, Ireland have always remained competitive in the unforgiving environment of international cricket.

Key to them remaining competitive is their solid batting line-up and here, we focus on the top five individual batting efforts in the history of Irish ODI cricket.

Paul Stirling’s 177 against Canada (September 7, 2010)

A naturally aggressive batsman who loves to attack opposition bowlers and not allow them to settle, Paul Stirling topping this list won’t come as a surprise to many. He made Ireland’s highest-ever individual score during the second ODI of their tour of Canada in 2010. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Stirling must have made Canada regret their decision to field as the Irish opener proceeded to put the opposition bowlers to the sword.

He scored 177 from just 134 balls at a strike-rate of 132.08 and hit 21 fours as well as five sixes along the way as Ireland eventually recorded a 92-run win and Stirling was declared Player of the Match. 

Ed Joyce’s 160* against Afghanistan (July 19, 2016)

Ed Joyce’s unbeaten 160 against Afghanistan was a pivotal knock in the context of the five-match series between the teams since it helped Ireland draw the series. Joyce opened the batting and finished the innings having scored 160 from 148 balls at a strike-rate of 108.10.

He hit 19 fours and three maximums over the course of the innings and helped Ireland post 265 on the scoreboard. Ireland eventually won the match by 12 runs to draw the series, and Joyce wasn’t only declared the Player of the Match but also the Player of the Series for his efforts.

Andy Balbirnie’s 145* against Afghanistan (March 5, 2019)

The current captain of Ireland across all formats, Andy Balbirnie’s unbeaten 145 also came against Afghanistan and happened in March of last year. With a target of 257 to chase on the scoreboard, Balbirnie walked into the middle with the score reading 13-1 after William Porterfield, who was the Irish skipper at the time, was dismissed. Undeterred by losing partners around him and with the help of a crucial 150-run plus partnership George Dockrell, Balbirnie managed to guide his team to a four-wicket win.

Balbirnie remained unbeaten on 145 off 136 balls and hit eight fours as well as eight sixes en route to being rightfully adjudged the Player of the Match.   

Kevin O’Brien’s 142 against Kenya (February 2, 2007)

While everyone might recall Kevin O’Brien’s stunning 63-ball 113 against England at the 2011 World Cup in India, it’s worth pointing out that it isn’t his highest ODI score. O’Brien’s highest ODI effort, in fact, came four years before his heroics against England and eventually went in vain as Kenya won a thrilling encounter by a wicket.

Batting first, then captain Porterfield and O’Brien both played starring roles for Ireland with the former scoring an unbeaten 104 and the latter a 125-ball 142 at a strike rate of 113.60. O’Brien smashed 10 fours and six maximums in his innings as Ireland scored 284, which Kenya chased down with a wicket and an over to spare.

Paul Stirling’s 142 against England (August 4, 2020)

Perhaps fittingly, Stirling bookends this list and also happens to be the most recent innings here. The destructive Irish batsman was at his belligerent best with a target of 329 to chase. Even though the series was already wrapped up by England, Stirling was determined not to let them have things all their way and attacked the opposition bowlers from the outset.

He was eventually run out but not before scoring 142 from 128 balls at a strike-rate of 110.93. He hit nine fours as well as six maximums and was well supported by Balbirnie, who also scored a ton to help Ireland to a seven-wicket victory with a ball to spare.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Mike Hewitt