T20 WC 2026: A Look at IND & Pak’s Top Active Performers & Potential Player Battles

The highest run scorers and wicket takers also hint at potential battles between players of the two sides

This Sunday marks the return of India and PAK to the World Cup stage, as both teams eagerly anticipate their clash. After last year’s humiliation in the Asia Cup, PAK are heavily determined to defeat India, but the Men in Blue have an impeccable track record against PAK in T20Is and the World Cup. Therefore, the odds favour India.

Ahead of the match, take a look at the top active run scorers, wicket takers and potential player battles.

India’s top run scorers

In the World Cup squad, India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is India's highest run scorer with 3,126 runs in 106 matches. After him, Hardik Pandya sits as the second-highest run scorer from the squad with 2,128 runs in 131 matches. These two players are India’s most experienced batters in the ongoing tournament. Abhishek Sharma, with 1,297 runs in 39 matches since 2024, ranks far down the list as the third-highest run scorer from the World Cup.

PAK’s top wicket takers

Given we are also focusing on battles between India and PAK players, here are PAK’s top wicket takers from the present squad who could trouble the above-mentioned Indian batters.

PAK’s top bowler is their famed pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, with 130 T20I wickets to his name in 100 matches. Haris Rauf sits above Shaheen Afridi, but given that he is not in the squad, Afridi tops the list. The next highest wicket taker from PAK’s World Cup squad is Shadab Khan with 120 wickets in 119 matches. Following Khan is Mohammad Nawaz with 97 scalps in 93 matches.

PAK’s top run scorers

From the PAK dugout, their highest active T20I run-scorer is Babar Azam, who is also the leading T20I run-scorer in the world with 4,566 runs in 141 matches. Next on the list is Fakhar Zaman with 2,385 runs in 117 matches. Apart from these two players, the rest of PAK’s line-up comprises young players with limited exposure and experience in T20 international cricket.

India’s top wicket takers

India has a huge line-up of star bowlers in the squad, starting with Arshdeep Singh, who has 121 wickets in 78 international games, followed by Jasprit Bumrah’s 108 wickets and Hardik Pandya’s 107 wickets. Kuldeep Yadav also deserves a special shoutout, given he was India’s top wicket taker in the 2025 Asia Cup, dismantling PAK on three occasions. Axar Patel, with his 90 international wickets, is also a credible bowler who could trouble PAK.

Overall, India has a more balanced squad of run scorers and wicket takers, and almost every player has the capability to single-handedly win the game versus PAK for the Men in Blue.

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