Nicholas Pooran created history as he went past the legendary Chris Gayle‘s tally to become the leading run-getter in men’s T20I cricket for the West Indies cricket team.
Pooran got to this huge feat during the Group C match against the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on June 12 at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
Former opener Gayle played 79 T20Is and amassed 1899 runs with an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 137.5. The Universe Boss hit 14 half-centuries and two centuries for the Men In Maroon.
The 28-year-old Pooran made his T20I debut against Pakistan in Dubai on September 23, 2016. Since then, the left-handed batter has played 91 T20Is, in which he’s scored 1914 runs at an average of 25.52 and a decent strike rate of 134.03. Pooran has hammered 11 fifties till now in the shortest format.
During the match against New Zealand, the wicket-keeper batter scored 17 runs from 12 deliveries, but before returning to the pavilion, he had breached the record of Gayle’s to become the leading run-getter for WI in men’s T20Is.
The 28-year-old Pooran also became the first batter to cross the 1900-run mark in men’s T20Is while representing West Indies.
Most runs for West Indies in men’s T20Is:
1. Nicholas Pooran – 1914
2. Chris Gayle – 1899
3. Marlon Samuels – 1611
4. Kieron Pollard – 1569
5. Lendl Simmons – 1527