Batters were very important for their teams’ success in 2021. Let’s look back at the top five most memorable batting performances of the year

5. Mohammad Rizwan – 104* off 64 balls

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had an outstanding year in 2021 in T20 internationals (T20Is). He broke records, becoming the first player to score 1000 T20I runs in a year and 2000 runs in all T20s. Rizwan was also one of the top run-scorers in the T20 World Cup.

At 29 years old, Rizwan scored an impressive 104* off 64 balls in a T20I against South Africa in Lahore. His innings included six fours and seven sixes, helping Pakistan set a total of 169 for 6. Rizwan reached his fifty in just 35 balls, hitting three sixes in one over from Junior Dala. Although he was dropped twice in the 90s, he eventually reached his century by hitting a six off Andile Phehlukwayo.

During South Africa’s chase of 170, Reeza Hendricks (54) and Janneman Malan (44) kept them in the game. However, Usman Qadir and Haris Rauf each took two wickets, and Pakistan narrowly won by three runs.

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4. Babar Azam – 122 off 59

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was in amazing form in T20Is in 2021. He ended the year as the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is and the top run-scorer in the T20 World Cup. He also made the second-highest individual score of the year. Azam hit 122 runs off 59 balls against South Africa in Centurion in April, helping Pakistan chase down a target of 204 runs with nine wickets left and 12 balls to spare.

Chasing South Africa’s 203 for 5, Azam led the way, putting up a 197-run opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan (73*) in 17.4 overs. Azam played brilliantly, hitting 15 fours and four sixes.

He took only 27 balls to reach his fifty and 49 balls to reach his century, hitting Tabraiz Shamsi for a six and a four to get there. Azam was finally dismissed by a bouncer from Lizaad Williams, but Pakistan won easily.

3. Liam Livingstone – 103 off 43

Even though Liam Livingstone’s amazing T20I hundred wasn’t enough to win the game, it was still a remarkable performance. In July, England was chasing 233 against Pakistan in Nottingham. Pakistan’s innings was powered by half-centuries from Azam and Rizwan, and England was struggling at 48 for 3 after losing Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali. But Livingstone’s bold batting gave Pakistan a scare.

Livingstone hit six fours and nine sixes in his 43-ball 103, giving him a strike rate of 239.53. He began his innings by hitting Haris Rauf for two sixes and a four in the last over of the powerplay and continued strongly. He hit two more sixes in the next over from Shadab Khan.

Livingstone reached his fifty in just 17 balls, the fastest by an England batter in T20Is. Even as wickets fell around him, he kept hitting boundaries. He completed his hundred by smashing Shadab Khan for a six over long-on.

His 42-ball century is the fastest by an Englishman in T20Is. He was out on the next ball, and with his dismissal, England’s slim chances of winning also disappeared.

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2. Jos Buttler – 101* off 67

England’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler played his best T20 International match ever in the T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. After losing the toss, England had to bat first and quickly fell to 3 for 35 during the powerplay. However, Buttler turned the game around for England by scoring an unbeaten 101 off 67 balls.

The 31-year-old hit six fours and six sixes on a tough pitch. Since England lost early wickets, Buttler played cautiously in the first half, reaching his fifty in 45 balls, which was his slowest T20I half-century.

In the second half of his innings, Buttler switched to aggressive mode. He hit two sixes in one over from Lahiru Kumara, followed by two sixes and a four in consecutive balls against Dasun Shanaka. He completed his century with a six off the last ball of the innings bowled by Dushmantha Chameera.

Thanks to Buttler’s exceptional performance, England scored a competitive total of 163 for 4 and won the match by 26 runs.

1. Mitchell Marsh – 77* off 50

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh might not be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers, but he played a key role in one of Australia’s most memorable cricket moments. Marsh scored an impressive 77 not out from 50 balls, leading Australia to a big win over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final.

New Zealand batted first, with their captain Kane Williamson scoring a brilliant 85 off 48 balls, setting a target of 172 for 4. Australia started their chase but quickly lost Aaron Finch for just 5 runs. David Warner made a quick 53 off 38 balls, but New Zealand still had hope when Trent Boult dismissed Warner, making the score 107 for 2 in the 13th over.

Marsh kept attacking the New Zealand bowlers, driving Australia towards victory. In the fourth over of the chase, he hit Adam Milne for a six and two fours in a row. He reached his fifty in just 31 balls with a six off Ish Sodhi.

Marsh was at the other end when Glenn Maxwell scored the winning runs. Marsh’s outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award in this important game.

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