5 cricketers from associate nations who became famous in T20 leagues

Unlike the longer forms of the game, T20 cricket levels the playing field to some extent, so that even the upcoming cricketing nations, those that haven’t made giant strides in the 50-over format and do not play Test cricket, are able to compete against some of the top sides in the world. The unpredictable nature of the shortest format of the game gives any player the chance to create an impact, mainly because there are only 20 overs to bat, and only 4 overs to bowl.

The conventional methods of playing the game take a backseat and all kinds of innovations take the centre stage, with power and muscle often dominating touch and finesse. This is also the reason why several cricketers from the associate and affiliate members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) do considerably well in the shortest format of the game. Here, in this piece, we enlist 5 cricketers who have made a name for themselves through various T20 leagues around the world.

#1 Kevin O’Brien – Ireland

In addition to his explosive batting, O’Brien’s skills with the ball have also been a gift for Ireland

Had Ireland not been an associate nation, Kevin O’Brien’s name would have featured in the list of the top all-rounders currently active in world cricket. From 163 T20 matches, O’Brien has scored 2603 runs at an average of 21.51 and a strike rate of 130.54 and has picked up 100 wickets at 21.42 and an economy rate of 7.31. If we exclude his international stats and consider the stats emerging only from the domestic T20 cricket that he has played all around the world, the 32-year-old has 1611 runs from 92 games at a strike rate of 134.25 and 44 wickets at 25.88 and an economy rate of 7.94, and has played for teams like Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Somerset, (all English clubs) and Northern Districts (New Zealand) amongst others.

O'Brien's also holds the record for the fastest century that has been scored in a World Cup game, when he blasted a century off just 50 balls against England in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, jointly hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. O’Brien, however, is yet to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Big Bash League (BBL).

#2 Ryan Ten Doeschate – the Netherlands

Ryan Ten Doeschate has over 5000 runs from 275 T20 matches

That Ryan Ten Doeschate ranks 13th in the list of the highest run-getters in T20 cricket speaks in abundance about the potential of the former Dutch cricketer. 5559 runs from 275 T20 matches at an average of 29.72 and a strike-rate of 136.48 with 2 centuries and 24 half-centuries make him an absolute legend, as far as the shortest form of the game is concerned, with the domain largely limited to domestic T20 cricket. At the international level as well Ten Doeschate has been an impressive performer for the Netherlands garnering 1541 runs and 55 wickets from 33 ODIs.

The 36-year-old also has 96 wickets from his 275 T20s which he has taken through his part-time medium pace bowling. The Dutchman has played in T20 leagues all over the world, with his prominent teams being the Kolkata Knight Riders of the IPL, the Karachi Kings of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Essex, Chittagong, the Otago Volts, and the Adelaide Strikers (BBL) amongst others. It would be surprising to know that international legends such as Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena and MS Dhoni have fewer T20 runs as compared to Ten Doeschate.

#3 Tom Cooper – the Netherlands

Tom Cooper was a part of the Netherlands squad that featured in the ICC World T20 2016

The Australia-born cricketer, Tom Cooper, has played 23 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the Netherlands has also been a key T20 player in the Australian as well the English domestic circuits. Having played for the Melbourne Renegades and the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL) and for Somerset in the Natwest T20 Blast, Cooper has 915 runs from 69 matches at an average that is just under 20 and a strike rate of 125.51 with 4 fifties to his name.

In international cricket, Cooper has scored 976 runs at 48.80 from 23 ODIs and 404 runs from 28.85 from 18 T20Is. Overall, the 29-year-old has scored 1531 runs from 95 T20 games at an average of 22.85 and a strike rate of 130.

#4 William Porterfield – Ireland

Ireland’s ODI and T20I captain, has been a prolific opening batsmen for them

Ireland’s incumbent ODI and T20I captain, William Porterfield, has also had a significant presence in the English domestic arena. Known for his prowess in the more traditional, longer versions of the game, Porterfield has a decent record in T20 cricket as well, as he has scored 3511 runs from 150 T20 matches at an average of 26.59 and a strike-rate of 123.40. Excluding the games that he has played for Ireland, his numbers stand at 1980 runs from 80 games at 27.50 and a strike-rate of 127.49.

Porterfield’s presence at the top of the order has often been seen as an assuring presence for the team, mainly due to his ability to bat for longer periods of time and at the same time, take calculated risks to push the run-rate when required. Captaincy has only added more flair to his batting, as in the games that he had led the Irish side, his batting average has ben 25.51 and has scored 1531 runs from 70 games. Porterfield has played for Gloucestershire and Warwickshire in the Natwest T20 Blast.

#5 Mohammad Nabi – Afghanistan

Mohammad Nabi has been a terrific all-rounder for Afghanistan

The Afghanistan veteran, Mohammad Nabi has flourished into a useful all-rounder for his national side, the evidence of which were on display during the recently-concluded ICC World T20 2016, that was held in India in March this year. With 1483 runs and 58 wickets from 63 ODIs, and 621 runs and 47 wickets from 45 T20Is, Nabi, the right-handed batsman and an off-break bowler, has already established his credentials as a potent all-rounder.

In domestic T20 cricket as well, Nabi’s performances, at least with the ball, have been no less impressive. Excluding the games that he has played for Afghanistan, from 32 T20 matches, Nabi has 34 wickets to his name at 23.20 and an economy of 7.42. Overall, from 97 T20 games, Nabi has 109 wickets at 21.63 and an excellent economy rate of 6.92. Recently, Nabi featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Quetta Gladiators. He has also played for the Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).