Ranking the Middle-order of all Teams for T20 World Cup 2022
South Africa and England, the standout as we look at the ranking and rating of the middle-order batters of the top 10 teams for T20 World Cup 2022.
It’s no hidden fact that batters are the real force when it comes to a successful team. While the Openers are the ones that lay the foundation, the middle-order batters are the ones that build on the foundation. They make sure the team reaches a good defending total, or the chase is within the reach of the finishers.
A total of 16 teams will be participating in the mega clash at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. Almost every team has strong-quality middle-order batters. But how about we create a unique mechanism to compare the middle-order batters of each team? So, let’s look at the ranking of the middle-order batters rating of the top 10 teams for T20 World Cup 2022.
To arrive at the rankings, we will consider the ICC rankings of the top 3 middle order batters of each team as on October 6, 2022. Each middle-order batter will then be relatively rated basis of their ICC rankings. Finally, a cumulative rating shall arrive for the three middle-order batters to calculate the final ranking. Meanwhile, as per the leading cricket website, Betway, Virat Kohli is the best-ranked middle-order batter with Odds at 13.0.
Top 10 Teams Middle-order Ranking for T20 World Cup 2022
#10: Pakistan – 5
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Iftikhar Ahmed, Khusdil Shah & Haider Ali
Quite a drastic scheme of difference for the batters of Pakistan. On one hand, they have the best two openers as per ICC rankings, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Whereas on the other hand, they have the least potent middle-order batters in the form of Iftikhar Ahmed, Khusdil Shah, and Haider Ali. None of their first-choice middle-order batters has a good ICC ranking. Hence, that leaves them in the 10th position with a cumulative rating of 5.
#9: Bangladesh – 6
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, and Shakib Al Hasan
Number 9 sees the Bangladesh team with Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan, and Shakib Al Hasan in charge of the middle-order. Unlike Pakistan, Bangladesh does have some experience in the form of Afif Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan. While Afif Hossain is ranked 41, Nurul is ranked 51, and Shakib is ranked 75. They get a cumulative rating of 6 in the middle-order category.
#8: Afghanistan – 7
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi & Ibrahim Zadran
Number 8 on the list are Afghanistan middle-order batters with the likes of Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and Ibrahim Zadran in action. It’s a good batting trio for Afghanistan with Najibullah ranked 30th, Nabi ranked 50th and Ibrahim Zadran ranked 63rd. Overall, Afghanistan get a cumulative rating of 7 in the middle-order category.
#7: West Indies – 7.33
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell & Kyle Mayers
West Indies are one team that has always boasted their batters in the T20 format. Unfortunately, in 2022, they don’t have a strong of set batters. Nicholas Pooran is their best middle-order batter, and he is ranked 11th. Apart from him, Rovman Powell is ranked 56th and Kyle Mayers is ranked 76th. Shimron Hetmyer would have improved their ranking, but again, unfortunately, he is dropped on disciplinary grounds. Nevertheless, West Indies get a cumulative rating of 7.33 in the middle-order category.
#6: Australia – 7.67
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh & Matthew Wade
Number 6 we once again see Team Australia, who also had the same ranking for the openers category. To be honest, the Australian team has some of the best batters of the format. But if you don’t play much of T20I cricket, your rank won’t improve. Glenn Maxwell is their best middle-order batter with a ranking of 34. Then there’s Mitchell Marsh with a ranking of 36 and Matthew Wade with a ranking of 62. Overall, Australia get a cumulative rating of 7.67 in the middle-order category.
#5: India – 8.25
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli & Rishabh Pant
Number 5 might surprise you as even after having the current best T20I middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav and equally good Virat Kohli, India are still placed fifth. Well, the main reason for that is the third middle-order batter, who doesn’t have a below-50 ranking. Rishabh Pant is their third-best middle-order batter and he is ranked 67. Thus, With Suryakumar Yadav ranked perfect 10, Kohli ranked 9.75 and Rishabh Pant ranked 5, India have a cumulative rating of 8.25.
#4: Sri Lanka – 8.33
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka & Dasun Shanaka.
At number 4, we have Sri Lanka, who doesn’t have an explosive batting line-up like India, but have been performing regularly for Sri Lanka. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is their best middle-order batter with a ranking of 35. Following him is Charith Asalanka at 40 and Dasun Shanaka at 43. With a minimum rating of 8 from Shanaka, Sri Lanka get a cumulative rating of 8.33.
#3: New Zealand – 8.33
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Devon Conway, Glenn Philips & Kane Williamson
Number 3 belongs to New Zealand, who have Devon Conway, Glenn Philips, and Kane Williamson as the top 3 middle-order batters. There’s a possibility that Devon could play as an opener if Daryl Mitchell doesn’t recover. But for now, Devon shall be considered a middle-order batter with a rank of 7. With Glenn Philips ranked 22 and Kane Williamson ranked 60th, New Zealand are marginally ahead with a cumulative rating of 8.33.
#2: England – 9.1
Top 3 Middle-order Batters:
Coming to number 2, we have the explosiveness of England in the form of Dawid Malan, Harry Brook, and Moeen Ali. While Malan is ranked 5th, Brook is ranked 30th, and Moeen is ranked 39th. With such good rankings, England players have a minimum rating of 8.25 with a cumulative rating of 9.1 in the middle-order category.
#1: South Africa – 9.6
Top 3 Middle-order Batters: Aiden Markram, Rille Rossouw & David Milller.
The number 1 undoubtedly belongs to South Africa as their middle-order is led by Aiden Markram, Rille Rossouw, and David Miller. The trio playing together brings a lot of strong vibes, and it is also visible in their ranking. While Markram is ranked 4th, Rossouw is ranked 20th and David Miller is ranked 29th. Overall, South Africa get a cumulative rating of 9.6 in the middle-order category.
So, that’s about the ranking and rating of the middle-order batters for the T20 World Cup 2022. While South Africa undoubtedly have the best middle-order batters trio, if we talk about the best middle-order pair, it would belong to Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli.
Thanks for reading! Which team has the best middle-order for T20 World Cup 2022? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2022: Ranking the Best Openers of all Teams
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
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