For the first time in the history of cricket, this year saw more than 100 T20I games (comprising full-member teams). The year 2021 was when Australia became the the T20 World Cup champions, after a much-anticipated rivalry with New Zealand in the finals.
Here, we take a look at some of the most incredible T20I knocks of 2021-
1. Babar Azam – 122 off 59 v South Africa
Captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam made history with a stellar record this year. On April 14, the 27-year-old Pakistani icon made an impressive record of 122 runs in just 59 deliveries, making it one of the best innings the T20Is had ever seen.
2. Jos Buttler – 101* off 67 v Sri Lanka
England was in deep waters after having to bat first and scoring just 47 for three. The team had lost Jason Roy, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow in the powerplay. The second half of the game was a complete game changer though, with Buttler breaking out arrays of sixes and fours. In just 22 balls, he scored his next big fifty.
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3. Kane Williamson – 85 off 48 v Australia
After a slow start in the T20 World Cup final, Williamson finished with a striking 85 off 48 deliveries, hitting 10 boundaries and three sixes. The captain had been pestered by a troubled elbow throughout the year, but still managed to give New Zealand great hope for a win.
4. Matthew Wade – 41* off 17 v Pakistan
Australia made a striking comeback even after losing five wickets and needing 62 runs in the final five overs. The doubtful batting duo, Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis, exceeded all expectations by scoring three sixes in a row, thus reserving a seat for Australia in the finals.
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5. Asif Ali – 25 off 7 v Afghanistan
In the T20 World Cup 2021 match between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Asif scored an impressive four sixes, all thanks to Afghanistan’s poor bowling, which helped Pakistan set foot in the semi-finals.
