group stage of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Complete with high-octane drama, surprising twists and turns, and a whirlwind of individual brilliance. As the tournament moves into the Super 8 stage, the statistical leaderboard tells a fascinating story of dominance on subcontinental tracks India And Sri Lanka. While established stars have left their mark, the early crop belonged to those who mastered the art of balancing aggression with adaptability.
From the explosive first century Pakistan‘S Sahebzada Farhan India’s fearless strike rate Ishan KishanThese five batsmen have defined the early story of the tournament.
Most runs in T20 World Cup 2026 group stage
- Sahibzada Farhan (PAK)- 220 runs
At the top of the charts is Farhan, who has emerged as the fulcrum of Pakistan’s top order. Farhan scored 220 runs in 4 innings at a tremendous average of 73.33. His campaign was punctuated by a historic maiden T20I century (100) against Namibia in Colombo, making him only the second Pakistani to score a century. Ahmed Shahzad To score a century in the T20 World Cup. Operating at a strike rate of 164.17, Farhan has proved that he can open an innings and explode in the death overs with equal ease.
- Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 199 runs
playing on home soil, Pathum Nissanka Has been a model of continuity for Sri Lanka. With 199 runs in 4 matches, he fell just one run short of the 200 mark. His standout performance was a brilliant 100 off 52 balls against Australia, an innings that effectively ended the campaign of the 2021 champions. Averaging 66.33 with a strike rate of 156.69, Nissanka’s ability to find the gaps during the powerplay has been the catalyst for Sri Lanka’s progress.
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- Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 182 runs
The second part of Sri Lanka’s strong opening pair, Kusal MendisFinds himself in third place with 182 runs. Mendis displayed remarkable composure as he scored his first three consecutive half-centuries of the tournament. His average of 60.66 reflects his role as a stabilizer, ensuring that the Lankans never lose momentum even when wickets fall. While his strike rate of 124.65 is low compared to his teammates, his 18 boundaries often came at the perfect time to relieve pressure.
- Aiden Markram (South Africa) – 178 runs
South AfricaThe captain led from the front and guided the Proteas to an unbeaten run in the group stage. aiden markramThe 178 runs were scored with utmost efficiency, having the second highest strike rate among the top five at 187.36. His unbeaten 86 against New Zealand was a masterclass in modern T20 batting, combining traditional strokes with raw power. With an average of 59.33, Markram has cemented his position as one of the most dangerous middle-order finishers in the world.
- Ishan Kishan (India) – 176 runs
Leading this list is India’s dynamic southpaw Kishan. In just 4 innings, Kishan scored 176 runs with an astonishing strike rate of 202.29. His defining moment came against arch-rivals Pakistan, where he derailed their bowling attack by scoring 77 runs in 40 balls. Despite a lower average of 44.00 than others, his ability to provide hyper-starts to India has made him the most influential batsman of the tournament so far.
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