T20 World Cup: Batters with 80-plus scores versus Pakistan
The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup scheduled in the Caribbean and USA is set to begin on June 1. Pakistan, who won the second edition, finished as the runners-up last time (2022). Over the years, their star-studded bowling line-ups have troubled the greatest sides. However, some batters have aced this challenge. Here we present batters with 80-plus scores versus Pakistan in T20 WCs.
Martin Guptill - 80 in 2016
New Zealand's Martin Guptill was at his best versus Pakistan in the 2016 match in Mohali. The opener went after the bowlers straightaway as NZ breached the 50-run mark in the sixth over. Guptill, who brought up his fifty off 34 balls, continued to bat well and ended up scoring a 48-ball 80 (10 fours, 3 sixes). NZ eventually won by 22 runs.
Shane Watson - 81 in 2010
Pakistan bowlers faced Shane Watson's wrath in the 2010 game in Gros Islet. The Australian opener was at his destructive best as he found boundaries for fun. Watson, who looked set for a ton, departed in the 17th over after scoring a 49-ball 81 (7 fours, 4 sixes). The Aussies posted 191/10 while batting first before restricting Pakistan to 157/10.
Virat Kohli - 82* in 2022
The 2022 India-Pakistan game in Melbourne saw Virat Kohli play one of the finest knocks in T20I history. Chasing 160, India were reduced to 31/4 before Kohli rescued them. He scored an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls as the Men in Blue crossed the line on the final ball (6 fours, 4 sixes). Notably, India made 48 runs in the last three overs.
Shakib Al Hasan - 84 in 2012
We have Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan atop this list. Batting at number three, the southpaw displayed a batting exhibition in Pallekele in 2012. With the help of 11 boundaries and two sixes, Shakib scored 84 runs off just 54 balls. However, Pakistan accomplished the 176-run target in the penultimate over (178/2). Shakib later claimed 0/23 in his four overs.
