WI's Nicholas Pooran breaks Mohammed Rizwan's world record in T20s

Nicholas Pooran has broken the world record for most runs in a calendar year in T20 cricket, surpassing Mohammad Rizwan's 2021 record. Pooran achieved this feat playing for various teams, including Trinbago Knight Riders and West Indies.

In Short

• Nicholas Pooran breaks world record for most T20 runs in a calendar year
• The star WI wicketkeeper has now 2,059 runs to his name in T20s in 2024
• Pooran completes 300 runs in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League

West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran has shattered the world record for most runs in a calendar year in T20 cricket, surpassing Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan. Pooran's 15-ball 27 for Trinbago Knight Riders against Barbados Royals in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) took his total to 2,059 runs, breaking Rizwan's 2021 record of 2,036 runs.

Pooran, who has been in scintillating form throughout 2024, achieved this remarkable feat after playing for various teams, including Durban Super Giants, Lucknow Super Giants, MI Emirates, MI New York, Northern Super Chargers, Rangpur Riders, and West Indies. His T20 tally comprises runs scored in T20 Internationals (T20Is), franchise leagues, and domestic T20 matches.

In comparison, Rizwan set his record in 2021 with 2,036 runs from 45 innings, boasting an impressive average of 56.66, including one century and 18 fifties. Pooran, however, has surpassed that figure in 65 innings at an average of over 42. Despite not yet scoring a century in 2024, he has managed 14 fifties, including multiple scores in the 90s.

While both players are world-class, Pooran's explosive strike rate stands out. His strike rate of 160.63 in 2024 dwarfs Rizwan's 132.03. This marks the third year that Pooran has surpassed 1,000 runs in T20s, having done so previously in 2019 and 2023.

Most Runs in a Calendar Year in T20 Cricket:

Nicholas Pooran (WI, DSG, NOS, LSG, TKR, MIE, MINY, RR) - 2,059 runs in 65 innings (2024)
Mohammad Rizwan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, MS, PAK) - 2,036 runs in 45 innings (2021)
Alex Hales (ENG, IU, Notts, THU, TRT) - 1,946 runs in 61 innings (2022)
Jos Buttler (ENG, Lancs, MNO, PR, RR) - 1,833 runs in 55 innings (2023)
Mohammad Rizwan (Sussex, MS, PAK) - 1,817 runs in 44 innings (2022)

As Pooran set the record, his team, Trinbago Knight Riders, secured a 30-run victory over Barbados Royals at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. Pooran has scored 312 runs from nine innings in CPL 2024, with an average of 39 and a blistering strike rate of 175.28.

In 2024, Pooran is well ahead of the competition for most T20 runs. South Africa's Reeza Hendricks is second with 1,555 runs from 47 innings, followed by Pakistan’s Babar Azam with 1,480 runs in 35 innings. Australian opener Travis Head trails with 1,442 runs from 39 innings.