Top Five Best All-rounders in T20I History

April 2, 2022

In a format designed for specialist batters and bowlers, T20 cricket has seen the rise of several outlandish all-rounders. Over the years we’ve seen countless all-rounders gracing the cricket field, but none could be as impactful as the ones mentioned below. The article is a means to pay homage to their efforts on both sides of the innings. That being said, here is a list of the top five best all-rounders in T20I history.

5. Yuvraj Singh – India, 363

One of the finest white-ball batters India ever produced, Yuvraj Singh stands at number 5 on this list. Not only has the flamboyant left-hander produced the goods with the bat but also with the ball. His relentless batting abilities combined with his knack of getting wickets in crucial overs make Yuvi undeniably one of the best all-rounders of the modern era. Yuvraj’s all-rounder career peaked when he reached the rating of 363 in a T20I match against arch-rivals Australia back in 2013.

4. Glenn Maxwell – Australia, 397

Glenn Maxwell aka “the Big Show” has earned quite a reputation for himself in the shortest format of the game. His attacking and innovative brand of cricket have revolutionized batting for generations to come. Maxi’s batting abilities often overshadow his underrated bowling skills. In addition, the 33-year old’s off-spin has turned the tide in favor of Australia in quite a lot of matches. Glenn Maxwell’s T20I all-rounder rating peaked in a match against Sri Lanka in 2019 when he got an impressive rating of 397.

3. Sakib-al-Hasan – Bangladesh, 408

One of the greatest cricketers Bangladesh ever produced, Sakib-al-Hasan occupies the third spot on this list. The Southpaw has been the hallmark of success for all-rounders in all forms of cricket. The following can be concluded from the fact that at one time, Sakib was the best all-rounder in all three formats of the game. A trailblazer in his own right, Sakib is one of the prominent figures behind Bangladesh’s gradual rise in the world of cricket. Sakib’s T20I career peaked after he got the rating of 408 in a match against Pakistan in 2015. Standing at number 2 in the current T20I all-rounder rankings, Sakib continues to wow us with his breathtaking abilities.

2. Shahid Afridi – Pakistan, 412

Coming from the land has given birth to some of the greatest fast bowlers this game has ever seen, Shahid Afridi has left behind a legacy of his own. The leg spinner is one of the highest wicket-taker in the format and his batting abilities speak for himself. In his heyday, Shahid grabbed an impeccable all-rounder rating of 412 in a match against the Kiwis in 2009. Having played T20 cricket all around the world, Afridi is one of the most celebrated athletes Pakistan has ever produced.

Did you know that Virat Kohli has an average of 86.33 in the T20 World Cup? Check out the full list here: Top Five Players With Highest Average In T20 World Cup

1. Shane Watson – Australia, 557

Unarguably the greatest all-rounder this generation has ever had the pleasure of watching, former Australian opener Shane Watson caps off the list. In the 58 matches he’s played for Australia, Watto has scored a whopping1462 runs and grabbed an impressive total of 48 wickets. Watson’s T20I rating peaked in a match against South Africa when he clocked in an inhuman rating of 557. Being leaps and bounds ahead of everyone on this list, calling Watto an icon would be an understatement.