T20 all-rounders: a comprehensive analysis

Contributing with both bat and ball is definitely a much sought after skill in the shortest version of the game. Let’s take a look at these talented performers.

Twenty20 is a format eminently suitable for the bits-and-pieces player, the one who does something in every department of the game, not always at the top-drawer level. However, T20 also calls for top-quality all-rounders who perform with the bat and ball very effectively. This article looks at such players.

The qualification criteria are 200 runs and 10 wickets. Unfortunately, the bar has to be kept somewhat low since very few matches have been played in the format.

The first table looks at the overall quantitative achievements. I have just added the runs scored and wickets captured multiplied by 25 to derive an overall achievement table in terms of Equivalent Runs. This may be longevity based but should not detract from the achievements of the players.


The peerless Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi stands supreme. He has scored 683 runs and captured 53 wickets, which is the highest by any bowler. This translates to 2008 WktRuns, a stupendous achievement, considering that he has played in 43 matches. Just look at his contributions to Pakistan’s pre-eminent status in T20 Internationals.

Jayasuriya is in next position, at nearly half of Afridi’s WktRuns level. His batting achievements are far ahead of the bowling achievements.

Then comes a surprise. The relatively lesser-known David Hussey takes the third spot with 1092 WktRuns. His figures are similar to Jayasuriya’s.

There are two more Pakistani all-rounders in the Top 7. Watson’s crossing of the 1000 WktRuns mark in only 24 matches speaks of his class.

Now let us see a table which is a qualitative one. The Runs and Wickets are divided by matches played to derive a per-match all-rounder index. 


It is possible that ten Doeschate would end his illustrious career as the best all-rounder never to have played Test cricket. He is the all-rounder supreme and has an average ArIndex value of 57 WktRuns per match. That is the extent of his contribution, 50+ in every match.

Just think of it. ten Doeschate would almost certainly walk into every ODI team in the world. He averages a phenomenal 67.0 in that format.

Shahid Afridi, for the high number of matches he has played, is in second position, with 46.7 WktRuns. Chris Gayle - when would he play for West Indies again? - is in third position with an excellent ArIndex value of 45.9.

The outstanding Shakib Al Hasan is deservedly in fourth place.

Watson rounds off this list of five world class all-rounders.