5 great cricketers who have poor records in ICC knockout matches

Srihari
McCullum doesn't have a single century in ICC knockout matches

It is not always possible to live up to the lofty standards that are set. Sometimes, even the best players struggle. When you can't be expected to have a good day all the time, it is only natural that you have bad ones, especially if the pressure is high.

Several stars have struggled when it comes to ICC knockout matches. While both Shahid Afridi and MS Dhoni don't have especially great records in knockout matches in ICC events, Afridi was the Man of the Match in the 2009 World T20 that Pakistan won while Dhoni claimed the Man of the Match award in the 2011 World Cup in which India beat Sri Lanka.

Here are 5 great cricketers who have poor records in ICC knockout matches:

NOTE: Only records in ICC World T20, World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy knockout matches have been considered.


#5 Brendon McCullum

One of the finest captains to emerge out of New Zealand, Brendon McCullum has scored over 14,000 runs in international cricket. He led his country to their maiden World Cup final but his record overall in ICC knockout matches isn't especially great.

In fact, among all batsmen who have scored at least 100 runs in knockout matches at ICC tournaments, his average of 13.20 is the worst. In the 10 knockout games that he has played, he has scored just a solitary fifty and he has been out for a duck thrice, including in the ICC World Cup 2015 final against Australia when he was dismissed by Mitchell Starc in the first over.

His record is particularly dismal in ICC World Cup knockout matches. In nine matches, he has scored just 106 runs at an average of 11.77. Although he has scored a fifty and has a strike rate in excess of 100, he has been out for a duck thrice as well and the one in the final against Australia cost his country a shot at their maiden World Cup.

#4 Anil Kumble

Enter

Anil Kumble is India's leading wicket-taker across all formats and is one of only 13 bowlers to have taken over 300 wickets in ODIs. Undeniably, he is India's greatest spinner. Yet his record in World Cup knockout matches doesn't make for great reading. What makes it even more surprising is his excellent record in World Cups.

Across four editions, Kumble has played 18 World Cup matches and has 31 wickets at an average of just 22.83 and a strike rate of 33.5. However, in nine World Cup knockout matches, he has picked up just 10 wickets at an average of 41.40 and a strike rate of over 50. Not only are they way above his average and strike rate in World Cups but also his career average.

Whether it was the conditions, a difference in approach of the batsmen or the way that he was used, the legendary leg-spinner simply didn't have a great record in ICC knockout matches.

#3 Inzamam-ul-Haq

Inzamam's record is a World Cup winner but doesn't have a great record in ICC knockout matches
Inzamam's record is a World Cup winner but doesn't have a great record in ICC knockout matches

Inzamam-ul-Haq is one of Pakistan's greatest batsmen and one of only 10 batsmen in the history of cricket to have scored over 20,000 runs in international cricket. As the only Pakistan batsman to feature in that list and with over 11,000 ODI runs to his name, it might come as a surprise to note that he doesn't have a great record in ICC knockout matches.

He has played in five different World Cups and although he has won the tournament, in his first attempt in 1992, his record in the tournament isn't great. In 35 matches, he has scored just 717 runs at an average of 23.90 which is well below his career ODI average, which is almost 40. Although he has fared slightly better in knockout matches, it is only marginal.

In 8 ICC knockout matches, he has just 151 runs at an average of 25.16 with a solitary fifty to his name. It only goes to show that even the very best aren't always infallible

#2 Lasith Malinga

Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in ICC tournaments
Malinga is the leading wicket-taker in ICC tournaments

Lasith Malinga became the latest entry into the 300 ODI wicket club and is the second leading wicket-taker in T20Is. Yet, the right -arm fast bowler, who has won a World T20 with Sri Lanka doesn't have a great record in ICC knockout matches. As the leading wicket-taker in ICC tournaments, his presence is arguably the biggest surprise of all the players on this list.

Shahid Afridi is the only bowler to have taken more wickets than Malinga in both T20Is and in the World T20. Yet the Sri Lankan pacer's record in knockout matches in World T20 isn't great. While he has 38 wickets in 31 matches at the World T20 at an average of just 20, he has picked up just four wickets in seven knockout matches at an average of 44.

In seven ICC knockout matches, he has 10 wickets at an average of 31, which isn't great numbers for the third-leading wicket-taker in ICC 50-over tournaments. Overall, he has 68 wickets in 38 matches in both Champions Trophy and World Cup at an average of just over 24.

Overall, Malinga's record in ICC knockout matches read 14 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 34.71 aren't great. Especially when you consider just how good he has been not in only throughout his career, but also in ICC tournaments in which he is the leading wicket-taker (106 wickets) and one of only two bowlers to have taken over 100 wickets.

#1 AB de Villiers

<p>

AB de Villiers is one of the finest cricketers of the modern era. His ability to destroy bowling attacks at will make him almost impossible to bowl to when he is on song. He is one of only five batsmen to average in excess of 50 in ODIs (min 5000 runs) and looks set to become only the 11th player to score over 20,000 runs in international cricket. So it is surprising to see him feature on this list.

While his average of 40 in World Cup knockout matches isn't especially bad, his overall record in ICC knockout matches doesn't make for great reading. While he has 24 centuries and 53 fifties in ODIs, he only has a solitary fifty in ICC knockout matches and averages just 28.66. In eight knockout matches, he has scored just 172 runs at an average of 28.66 and a strike rate of 86.86.

Of the many records that he currently holds, the 33-year-old will be hoping to ensure that he is able to get off this list before the end of his career.

Check RCB Squad 2024 Details. Follow Sportskeeda for IPL 2024 Live Score, Schedule, Points Table

Quick Links

Edited by Sankalp Srivastava