Malan Sets New T20 Record

England’s batsman, Dawid Malan has attained 915 points, the highest ratings ever for a batsman in the ICC T20I batting ranking.

Malan achieved this feat after hitting 99 from 47 balls not out in the series against South Africa which ended recently. Malan is now the third person to cross the 900-point mark after Aaron Finch did it back in 2018 and Babar Azam achieved the same this year.

His performance earned him the Player of the Series title as England ended the series victorious against South Africa (3-0). By his achievement, England has now risen to the top of the ICC rankings, pushing Australia to second place. Even though both countries have the same 275 points, England leads by decimal points.

Malan ended the second day of the series with a match-winning 55 but went on to best that record on Tuesday. He has now scored half-centuries in 6 of his past 12 T20 outings. He and Jos Buttler, who is the 21^st in the ICC rankings, shared 167 to drive England to their nine-wicket win. He would have been bowled out at one point had the South African player not fumbled with the ball.

Speaking on the achievement, former captain of the English team, Nasser Hussain praised Malan’s effort and commented on his versatility; “On difficult pitches, he grinds out a score while when you need to up the run rate and you can’t be using up deliveries on dot balls in the powerplay he doesn’t – he just goes out and smashes it. He never overhits. It’s classy batting – it is not power, it is just timing. At times he makes it look effortless.”

Coming at 4^th place in the ICC T20 batting ranking is Indian Lokesh Rahul with 824 points while Rassie van der Dussen holds it down at 5^th with 744 points. Australia is expected to surpass England by Friday after they win their T20 series against India.

Written by: Leon Osamor