Longest career span in T20 so far

The T20 format is the world’s most popular format of cricket. Cricket is now shifting towards a shorter format game because of the demand and viewership. Recently we have seen Asia Cup which used to be a 50 overs game is now shifted to 20 overs. This revolution in cricket came after the start of the Indian Premier League.

Now the question arises is this the end of international cricket’s formats like ODI and Test? We believe it’s not, but the signs are telling a different story. Here in this article, we are going to discuss the longest career span of players in T20 international so far. We have made a list of the top 10 players who have played most T20 internationals for their team.

1. Rohit Sharma (2007 – Present): You won’t be surprised to see this man’s name at the top of the list. Believe me or not but Rohit Sharma is playing T20 internationals since 2007. His journey started with the 2007 T20 world cup where India lifted its maiden T20 world cup title. So far Rohit Sharma has played 134 T20 internationals in his career and the count is going on. He is now the captain of India and currently leading his team in Asia Cup. Throughout his T20 journey, he has made 3520 runs with an Avg of 32. His highest score in T20 internationals is 1180 and has 4 centuries to his name.

• Shoaib Malik (2006-2021): Every cricket fan is familiar with this name as we love to watch the match between Pakistan and India. Shoaib Malik is a name that can never be forgotten because of the sportsmanship he showed throughout his T20 international career. The good news is that he still didn’t retire and wishes to play in the upcoming 2022 T20 world cup. He has played 124 T20 internationals second highest after Rohit Sharma in his 15 years journey so far. He has 2435 t20 runs to his name and his highest score is 75. Unfortunately, Shoaib Malik didn’t score any century yet in T20 internationals. Considering that he is a middle-order batsman.

• Martin Guptill (2009-Present):  Started his T20 career in 2009, Martin Guptill is one of the best T20 batsmen for New Zealand. He is a right-handed explosive opening batsman who has plenty of experience in T20 Internationals. So far, he has played 121 T20 internationals for New Zealand and made 3497 t20 runs with an avg of 31.79. His highest score in T20 is 105 and he has 2 centuries to his name.

• Mahmudullah (2007-Present): He is an explosive batsman in the middle order of Bangladesh. He started his career as a batting all-rounder but nowadays he is only known for his batting. He has appeared in 120 T20 internationals and is currently part of the Bangladesh Asia Cup team. So far, he made 2095 T20 runs with an average of 23.53, and his highest score is 64*. 

• Mohammad Hafeez (2006-2021): He played his last game for Pakistan in the ICC World Cup semi-final in November 2021. He played in different positions for Pakistan. He started his career as an opening batsman and later he played in the middle order. Throughout his career, he appeared in 119 T20 internationals. He has 2514 T20 runs to his name and his highest score is 99*.

• Eoin Morgan (2009-2022): After making England a winner of the 2019 T20 world cup he announced his retirement. He captained England in 72 T20 internationals. Morgan played 115 T20 games and made 2458 runs with an avg of 28.58. His highest score in T20 is 91. He is one of the most successful T20 captains as he recorded 42 wins and 27 losses during his captaincy.

• Paul Stirling (2009-Present): Stirling is Ireland’s explosive opening batsman. Paul is a batting all-rounder who can bowl for his team when it’s needed. and has appeared in 114 T20 internationals so far and the count is going on. He has 3011 T20 runs to his name with an avg of 28.67 and his highest score is 115*.  He has also taken 20 wickets and his all-time best figure is 3/21.He is currently part of the Ireland squad for the World Cup.

• Kevin O’Brien (2008-2021): Another Irish player who served Ireland for almost 14 years. No doubt he used to be the best batting all-rounder in Ireland. Throughout his T20 international career, he played 110 games and scored 1973 runs with an avg of 21.21. His highest T20 score is 124 and has one century to his name. He also took 58 wickets for his team and his best bowling figure is 4/45. Despite his good performance, he announced his retirement this year after not getting selected for the World Cup squad.

• George Dockrell (2010-Present): Dockrell is known for his bowling. He plays as a bowling all-rounder for Ireland. In his 12 years T20 international career he appeared in 105 games so far and has taken 80 wickets for his team. His best bowling figure is 4/20. George Dockrell can also contribute with the bat if needed. He has 695 T20 runs to his name and his highest score is 58*.  Recently he helped Ireland to clinch a series against Afghanistan. 

1. David Miller (2010-Present): He is one of the most destructive South African middle-order batsmen. He boosts strength to South Africa’s middle order with his explosive batting. Cricket fans also call him “Miller the Killer”. Once he gets settled, he smashes bowlers all around the ground. His strike rate in T20 is around 140. He has appeared in the 104 T20 Internationals for South Africa so far and scored 1944 runs with an avg of 32.40. His highest score in T20 is 101*.

Conclusion

These players are entertaining us for years via T20 games. The T20 format indeed showed us the true potential of players. That’s why people love to watch shorter-format cricket. It doesn’t take much time and serves its purpose of entertainment.