Most matches in T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma, Shakib Al Hasan top the list for most appearances

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma heads the record for most matches in T20 World Cup history. 

The opener made the record with his 36th appearance in the tournament’s history when he played against South Africa in a Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022.

The swashbuckling batter made his debut in the marquee competition against England under the leadership of MS Dhoni in 2007. However, he did not get to bat in that match. 

Nonetheless, Rohit Sharma introduced himself to the cricketing world in style with a 40-ball 50* in the very next match against South Africa, which India eventually won by 37 runs.

Since then, he has gone on to score 919 runs in 36 matches at an average of 36.76.

Rohit Sharma broke the long-standing record held by former Sri Lanka batter Tillakaratne Dilshan, who is third on the list with 35 appearances.

Dilshan, who was known for his rare ability to contribute in every aspect of the game, be it batting, bowling, wicket-keeping or fielding, guided Sri Lanka to glory in the 2014 edition of the T20 World Cup, scoring 132 runs in six matches at an average of 26.40.

Moreover, Dilshan finished as the leading run-getter in the 2009 edition, amassing 317 runs in seven matches at an average of 52.83, which includes three half-centuries, to help his side finish as finalists. He also bagged the Man of the Tournament award in the same year.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is second on the list of top five players with the most matches in T20 World Cup.

The Bangla Tigers’ record in the competition doesn’t reflect the valuable contributions of Shakib Al Hasan over the years. The team has failed to qualify for the semis in any edition so far.

Nonetheless, Shakib Al Hasan continued to torment opposition batters with his spin bowling, having 44 wickets in 34 T20 World Cup matches to show for it. He is also the second on the list of highest wicket-takers in T20Is. 

Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo is next on the list of players with the most appearances in T20 World Cup, with 34 matches between 2007 and 2021.

Known for his death bowling ability, the right-arm pacer was the key member of his side that lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2016. He was Windies’ leading wicket-taker in the 2016 edition, with nine wickets from six games at an economy of 7.91, which helped the team from the Caribbean clinch their second title.

Overall, Dwayne Bravo has scored 530 runs and scalped 27 wickets in his successful 34-match T20 World Cup career.

Another player who makes it to the list of cricketers with the most appearances in T20 World Cup is Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.

Nicknamed ‘Boom Boom Afridi’ due to his aggressive approach, the all-rounder received the Man of the Tournament award in 2007 even though Pakistan lost to India in the finals.

However, he helped his team get one better in the following edition to bag their first and only T20 World Cup so far. Afridi scored an unbeaten fifty in the final against Sri Lanka, who lost the contest by eight wickets.

Currently, he is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history, with 39 scalps from 34 matches. 

Apart from Dwayne Bravo and Shahid Afridi, the likes of former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and Australia's David Warner have registered the most appearances in T20 World Cup history.

MS Dhoni, Chris Gayle and Mushfiqur Rahim complete the top 10 list with 33 appearances each. Get list of players with most matches in T20 World Cup history.

Most matches in T20 World Cup: Know players with most appearances

Photo credit: Saeed KHAN / AFP