All countries are looking to find their best combinations to field for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Some of the T20 format's greatest stars ever are among those preparing to fight it out for the trophy in US and the Caribbean. The likes of Rashid Khan, Virat Kohli and Shakib Al Hasan, amongst others, also have personal records to have an eye on all the while trying to take the World Cup home.
Here are five impressive records that could be broken during the T20 World Cup 2024 being jointly held in the West Indies and the United States.
T2OIs runscorers: Babar Azam climbing up the list:
His skills as a batter could not be questioned as currently he stands at the third position in the list of ‘Top Run Scorers In T20Is’. The Pakistan captain has managed 3,955 runs in 117 matches -- only 20 runs behind Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. The World Cup may witness Babar Azam going past the Hitman to clinch the second position in the remarkable list.
ALSO READ | T20 World Cup records: Top 10 batters with most runs
It would be an even more impressive turn of events for Babar Azam if he manages to topple Virat Kohli. who has garnered 4037 runs in 117 matches, as the most run-getter in T20Is in the course of the tournament. Considering his form and talent, the goal may not seem impossible to achieve.
Rashid Khan vs Shakib Al Hasan:
Afghanistan’s first ‘international superstar’ and Bangladesh's GOAT are respectively placed third and second among the list of T20I wicket takers. Rashid Khan got 138 while Shakib got 146. If Rashid manages a brilliant World Cup with the ball, he could replace Shakib in the second place -- only behind New Zealand's Tim Southee (157).
ALSO READ | ICC T20 World Cup records: Top 10 bowlers with most wickets
It was not so long ago when the 25-year-old Rashid surpassed a 14 year old record held by Nawroz Mangal by achieving the best bowling figures of an Afghan team captain in T20Is. Interestingly, when it comes to T20 wickets (franchise leagues and other tournaments included), Rashid's 574 wickets is only second to Dwayne Bravo's 625.
Yuzvendra Chahal: First Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in T20Is:
A household name in the short format tournaments, Yuzi Chahal is among the best attacking leg spinners of his generation. Currently in the top 20 list of T20I wicket-takers, the Rajasthan Royals bowler needs just four more wickets to become the first Indian bowler to have dismissed 100 batters in T20I cricket.
He is right behind the Pak legend Shahid Afridi in the list, who stands 15th with 98 scalps. If Yuzi surpasses Afridi, he will become the first Indian bowler to break into the top 15 of the list in history.
David Warner breaking his own fielding record:
Breaking your very own record is a quite commendable achievement. David Warner, the Australian opening batter is quite close to attaining this very commendable achievement. We may witness the explosive opener, who will hang up his shoes after the tournament, break the record of most catches by a non wicket-keeper in T20Is. The Australian has so far got 77 catches in his kitty.
ALSO READ | Australia at ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Group, match schedule, venues, opponents and more
This impressive record could be broken by Warner itself as, Martin Guptill who stands at the second position has 68 catches under his name. Knowing David Warner to be a class apart fielder, he is well equipped to break and increase the set record to a much higher figure. It shall be an impressive sight to watch him this 2024 T20I season.
'Champion' stuff:
Last but not least, the prospects of the world getting a new T20 World champions remain open. South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh lead the list of teams to have not kissed the coveted trophy yet. And the "underachievers" and "chokers" come prepared for the task at hand.
And then there are defending champions England and co-hosts West Indies, who could become the first team in history to win three T20 World Cup titles. It will indeed be an exciting season of T20I cricket!