Pakistan is one of the most dominating cricket nations in the subcontinent alongside their arch-rivals India. The nation won its first ICC World Cup trophy in 1992 under the leadership of Imran Khan. In the T20 World Cups, the nation has been a consistent performer. Their batters and bowlers have always contributed to their team. Pakistan won the T20 World Cup in 2010. They defeated Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament. Since then, the nation is yet to win a World Cup in both formats. Although they won the Champions Trophy in 2021, their World Cup drought continues. As far as the T20 WC is concerned, their batters have performed consistently. Let us look at the top 10 run scorers for the nation in T20 WCs.
1. Shoaib Malik
Shoaib Malik was a former all-rounder for Pakistan who batted in the middle-order and bowled off-spin. The right-handed batter used to hit long sixes when in full flow. His consistent performances in the shortest format made him one of the best all-rounders in the T20Is. Malik also provided Pakistan with crucial breakthroughs. His basic off-spin bowling proved to be quite economical in his career. Also, a former skipper of the nation, he led Pakistan to some famous victories. The all-rounder made immense contributions to the team across formats. His best came out in the shortest format and he scored 646 runs in 31 innings in the T20 World Cups.
2. Shahid Afridi
A right-arm leg spinner and a hard hitter down the order for Pakistan, Shahid Afridi, is one of the most renowned cricketers in the world. His leg-breaks could break any partnership and he consistently provided with much-needed breakthroughs. Afridi as a batter used to hit long sixes down the ground. His bat swing was a nightmare for the bowlers. Afridi was also a former captain for Pakistan and led his troops brilliantly. He made his T20I debut against England in 2006. Under his captaincy, Pakistan won its first-ever t20 World Cup in 2010. He batted in 32 innings in the T20 WCs and scored 546 runs.
3. Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal was a former wicketkeeper batter for Pakistan across formats. The right-handed batter who dominated in the middle-order was one of the important players in Pakistan. He made his T20I debut against England in 2006. The attacking wicketkeeper batter was a versatile player who could bat at the top order as well. He even opened the innings for Pakistan in many ODI and T20I matches. Akmal made great contributions to his team in all three formats. He played 28 innings in the T20 WCs and made 524 runs.
4. Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Hafeez was a former opening batter for Pakistan across formats. He usually batted at the top order if not as an opener. Hafeez also bowled some off-breaks and would chip in with a few overs when needed. He made his T20I debut against England in 2006 and played as a regular inclusion ever since. Hafeez served Pakistan for 18 years and even led his side as a stand-in skipper. He batted in 27 innings in the T20 World Cups and scored 511 runs.
5. Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal was a part-time wicketkeeper and a right-handed batter for Pakistan. He is the youngest of the three brothers alongside Kamran and Adnan to represent their country. Umar represented Pakistan in the 2008 Under 19 World Cup and performed brilliantly with the bat. He smashed a century on his Test debut against a quality bowling attack of New Zealand away from home. Akmal was involved in various issues with the Pakistan Cricket Board and had to quit playing eventually. He made 486 runs in 18 innings in the T20 WCs.
6. Mohammad Rizwan
The current wicket-keeper batter for Pakistan in the white ball formats, Rizwan, is one of the nation’s most consistent performers. The right-handed bats in the middle-order in ODI format and opens the innings in the shortest format. His leg-side batting display is a joy to watch. With strong wrists and great bat swing, the batter has scored many runs for Pakistan in winning causes. He recently scored a match-winning century against Sri Lanka to help Pakistan chase the highest total in ODI World Cup history. He has batted in thirteen innings in the T20 World Cups and has scored 456 runs.
7. Babar Azam
The skipper for Pakistan across formats, Babar Azam, is one of the best batters in the world. in modern-day cricket, Azam has proved his mettle after performing consistently in all three formats of the game. He is one of the best leaders for Pakistan in the history of the nation’s cricket. Babar led Pakistan to the semi-finals of the T20 WC in 2021 and the finals of the 2022 T20 WC. He has scored 427 runs in the T20 World Cups in thirteen innings.
8. Misbah-ul-Haq
Misbah was one of Pakistan’s reliable force. He was the go-to man for Pakistan in the crunch situations. In all three forms of the game, he played like a champion. The lone warrior for the nation many times, Misbah was a true fighter who revived hope in every Pakistani fan. The right-handed middle-order batter played a fighting knock in the final of the 2007 t20 WC. He has batted in 17 T20 WC innings and has scored 368 runs.
9. Salman Butt
Salman Butt was a promising young talent was Pakistan. The left-handed opening batter made his mark early in his career. After playing fourteen innings in the T20 WCs, Salman scored 343 runs. His foolishness to be a part of the match-fixing scandal in 2010 resulted in a life ban for a promising young talent.
10. Imran Nazir
Imran Nazir was a former right-handed opening batter for Pakistan who attacked the bowlers early in the innings. This fearlessness sometimes cost him his wicket as well. He made his T20I debut against South Africa in 2007 and went on to play thirteen innings in the T20 World Cups and scored 300 runs.
