Most T20Is played by individuals in a calendar year
Since the advent of T20 cricket, teams have indulged in various combinations in order to keep pace with the demands of the format. While players have been marred with inconsistency due to the chaotic nature of the format, some players have performed consistently to become invaluable assets to the team. Here is the list of the players who have featured in most T20Is in a calendar year for their side.
Mohammad Naim, Mahmudullah (Bangladesh), 2021 – 26 matches
Bangladesh’s promising opening batter Mohammad Naim burst onto the scene after an impressive domestic season for Bangladesh. After making his debut in 2019, the 23-year became an indispensable part of the T20I side, appearing in 26 matches for the Bangladeshi side in 2021.
Naim’s senior pro and former Bangladeshi skipper Mahmudullah also made 26 appearances for his side in the shortest format of the game in the same year.
Afif Hossain (Bangladesh), 2021 – 27 matches
Another young and upcoming Bangladeshi cricketer Afif Hossain features on this list after making a staggering 27 appearances for the national side in the shortest format of the game. The southpaw made his debut in 2017 and made an instant impact, scoring a 26-ball 52 in his second game.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, 2021 – 29 matches
Pakistan’s all-format skipper Babar Azam took to captaincy like a fish to water. The mercurial batter led the side from the front, in charge of the side in 29 T20Is in 2021. He was the second-leading run scorer in the format for that particular year. He had made the most appearances in the format in a calendar year.
Joining Babar Azam at the top of the list is his most trusted deputy Mohammad Rizwan. The wicketkeeper-batter is breaking records for fun in the most exciting format of the game. He was the leading run-scorer in T20Is in 2021 by some distance, making 29 appearances for the Men in Green. He started 2022 like he finished 2021 and is the leading run-scorer in T20Is so far. Earlier this year, the flamboyant batter usurped his skipper to claim the top spot in the T20I rankings.
