Best T20I batter ever? UAE opener Muhammad Waseem has a statistical claim to the title

One can argue that most of Waseem’s runs have come against Associate Nations. Indeed, only 20 of his 71 T20Is have been against Full Members. But then, one can expand the numbers to all T20.

In 2024, Waseem played for Chattogram in the BPL, for Colombo in the LPL, and for the MI New York in the MLC. If one uses an average of 35 and a strike rate of 135 as cut-offs, Waseem is still third on the list.

Most runs in all T20 with an average of 35 and a strike rate of 150

Until May 20, 2025

This is not to say that Waseem is in the league of elite T20 batters like de Villiers or Suryakumar, but few can doubt his place with those numerical cut-off. It is not his fault that the UAE does not play Full Members often or most high-profile T20 franchise leagues tend to go for cricketers from the more popular sides.

Waseem is not just a prolific run-scorer – but also a brutal six-hitter

However, one standout aspect of Waseem’s career may make him a lucrative option for franchise teams: he can hit sixes. In all T20I cricket, only two batters have hit more sixes.

Read: World record – UAE’s Muhammad Waseem becomes first batter to hit 100 sixes in a calendar year

Most sixes in T20Is

Until May 20, 2025

With Waseem, it is not only about the number of sixes but also how frequently he hits them. With a cut-off of 100 sixes, only Evin Lewis has hit them as often – and Waseem has already hit 41 sixes more than Lewis.

Fewest balls per six in T20Is (cut-off: 100 sixes)

Until May 20, 2025

In all T20, there are more prolific six-hitters than Waseem. He is outside the top ten in six-hitting frequency, but only just.

Fewest balls per six in all T20 (cut-off: 200 sixes)

Until May 20, 2025