Australia put an end to its first tour to Pakistan in 24 years with a 3-wicket win. It was a complete team performance in this one-off T20 of the Pak vs Aus. Contributions from the teammates ensured the visitors a victory having 163 runs on the scoreboard with 5 balls to spare.

Read also: Cricket Australia trying to host a tri-series with India, Australia, and Pakistan

The captain Aaron Finch played an important knock of 55 runs in 45 deliveries. Some small yet crucial innings of the middle-over batters took the team to 163-7 in 19.1 overs. Nathan Ellis scalped 4 wickets for 28 runs and restricted Pakistan to 162-8. Babar Azam was phenomenal and smashed 66 runs in 46 deliveries.

Australia won the 3-Test series 1-0, lost the ODI series 2-1, and won the one-off T20 in the Pak vs Aus series. Some Australian players took a rest from the white-ball series. Also, Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith had to miss the matches due to injuries.

Read also: Most wins as captain in T20Is

It has been a wonderful tour and we've loved every bit of it: Aaron Finch post Pak vs Aus series

Finch seemed pleased with his team's white-ball players and how they are forming a dominant lineup for the upcoming World Cups. In the post-match conference, he said, "It was certainly was, the way our bowlers attacked after the start they got, such an inexperienced attack as well was fantastic," said Finch in the post-match conversation. Nathan Ellis came back well after a rough start which showed his character. Really good sign of things to come for our white-ball team. Everything we do will be with one eye on the World Cup – both in the T20 format and the ODIs."

The entire Australian squad felt grateful for this historical series and for being the first Australian team to tour here after 24 years. He said, "From the Australian cricket team and everyone at cricket Australia we are very grateful for the opportunity to be the first Australian team to tour here after 24 years; What the fans have given us, what the PCB have given us and all the staff that has been around us, it has been a wonderful tour and we've loved every bit of it; Thank you to the PCB and the fans - you've made it an incredibly special tour for a lot of people".

Its almost the end of 2024 and the entire world is set to welcome another new year. Every year, the cricket world unlocked some incredible memories. By some outstanding knocks, some of the batters made the particular year unforgettable. Across the formats, they nailed the game with their batting brilliance.

Also Read: Most Test runs in 2024: Root, Jaiswal, Duckett and more

The Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis shattered all the records and become the highest run scorer of 2024 across the formats. In this article, we will take a look at the other batters who have the most international runs in each calendar year since 2010.

Most international runs in each calendar year

2024 - Kusal Mendis | 1860 Runs

In 2024, the Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis scored the most international runs and become the highest run scorer of 2024 across the formats. In 48 matches, he scored 1860 runs with 2 centuries and 11 half centuries.

Kusal's standout performance came against New Zealand, where he hammered a brilliant 143 in an ODI and recorded his highest score in this format. With a solid batting average of 37.20, he dominated in 2024.

2023 - Shubman Gill | 2154 Runs

Shubman Gill had an incredible year in 2023, during which he finished the highest run getter across formats with 2154 runs, including 7 centuries. He also slammed the most centuries by an Indian in this decade (12), more than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Gill has become an integral part of Indian cricket team in the past couple of years. The 25-year-old has also been elevated to a leadership role in white-ball cricket as he was named the vice captain of limited overs format after India's T20 World Cup triumph.

2022 - Babar Azam | 2598 Runs

In 2022, Babar Azam became the Pakistan batter with the most runs in all formats of the game in a calendar year. Babar scored 2598 runs in 44 matches at an average of 54.12 in that year. His haul of eight hundreds and 17 fifties during the calendar year was Babar's best of his career to date.

Babar broke more individual records in that year and ensured Pakistan's star continued to shine brightly. He was the only player to breach the 2000-run mark during the calendar year. 

2021 - Mohammad Rizwan | 1915 Runs

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had a stunning year in 2021 with 1915 runs in 44 internationals at an average of 56.32 with two centuries. Rizwan ruled the roost in 2021 when it came to the shortest format of the game. Aggregating a staggering 1326 runs in only 29 matches, Rizwan struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike-rate of 134.89.

Apart from his exploits with the bat, he was as solid as ever behind the stumps, playing a key role in Pakistan's run to the semifinals during the T20 World Cup 2021.

2020 - Aaron Finch | 944 Runs

Former Australian limited over captain Aaron Finch scored the most international runs in 2020. He smashed 944 runs in 21 innings at an average of 47.20. He recorded 2 centuries and 6 half centuries to his name. He also scored 99 fours and 21 sixes this year.

2019 - Virat Kohli | 2455 Runs

Virat Kohli finished 2019 on a high, finishing as the leading run-getter across all formats in the year with 2,455 runs with seven centuries, including his career-high Test score of 254 not out. Kohli scored 1,377 runs in 26 ODIs, 612 runs in eight Tests and 466 runs in 10 T20Is in 2019.

2018 - Virat Kohli | 2735 Runs

Virat Kohli once again dominated a year in international cricket as a batsman. Kohli ended the year 2018 as the number-one ranked batsman in international cricket for the second-time running but more importantly, it was his team which consolidated its position at the top of the team rankings in Test cricket.

Kohli scored 2735 runs across all formats in the year with 11 hundreds but he also became the first Asian captain to register Test wins in Australia, England and South Africa in the same calendar year.

2017 - Virat Kohli | 2818 Runs

Virat Kohli finished 2017 with a staggering 2818 international runs across international formats. The India captain scored 1059 runs in 10 Tests, 1460 runs in 26 ODIs and 299 runs in 10 T20 Internationals. Kohli hammered 11 hundreds including three double centuries (one vs Bangladesh and two vs Sri Lanka). 

2016 - Virat Kohli | 2595 Runs

The year 2016 is often regarded as one of the best years for Virat Kohli due to his exceptional performances across all formats of cricket. He treated himself to 2,595 runs in 41 international innings that year to go along with 973 runs in the Indian Premier League.

Apart from that, he lead the Indian Test team to series wins against West Indies, New Zealand and England and he single-handedly powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to the final of the IPL this year.

2015 - Kane Williamson | 2692 Runs

Former New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson had a prolific year in 2015. The Kiwi scored 2,692 runs averaging over 65. In 8 Tests, that year, he finished with 1,172 runs at an average of 90 with 5 centuries to his name.

Williamson also helped the Kiwis to reach the World Cup finals and amassed over 1,000 runs in ODIs as well.

2014 - Kumar Sangakkara | 2868 Runs

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara tops the charts when it comes to most runs scored in a calendar year. In 48 matches, Sangakkara scored 2,868 runs at an average of over 50.

Sangakkara made 1438 runs in 21 innings in the longest format at an average of 71.90 with the help of four centuries and eight half-centuries. Playing 28 ODIs that year, he slammed 1256 runs at an average of 46.51, again, the highest in his individual career.

2013 - AB de Villiers | 2181 Runs

Former South African skipper, AB de Villiers is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the sport and the best batsman of his era. He had a stellar year in 2013. AB scored 2,181 runs averaging 54.52 in 45 innings of 43 matches. He also smashed seven centuries and 12 half-centuries.

2012 - Michael Clarke | 2251 Runs

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke finished 2012 with a staggering 2251 international runs across international formats in 32 innings of 26 matches at an average of 77.62. Clarke hammered 6 hundreds and 8 half-centuries.

Clarke also became the first man to score four Test double-hundreds in a calendar year as his side dominated South Africa on day one of the second Test in Adelaide.

2011 - Kumar Sangakkara | 2267 Runs

In 2011, no one else came close to the 2,267 runs Kumar Sangakkara scored in all international cricket, and he is now the only man to have topped 1,000 runs in Tests and one-day internationals in a single year on three separate occasions. 

2010 - Hashim Amla | 2307 Runs

Former South African cricketer, Hashim Amla had a prolific year in 2010. He scored 2,307 runs in that year. He also recorded his first Test double century against India in this year.

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch wants the ODIs should be reduced to 40 overs per side since the speed of 50-over is too slow and does not draw attention of the crowds. Despite the success of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, there has been a lot of debate around the future of ODIs. With ICC T20 World Cup coming this year, a lot of bilateral series worldwide, even involving big teams, are failing to draw attention of the fans all around the globe.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: Jasprit Bumrah becomes the only bowler in history to top all formats ranking

Finch said, "I think it goes to 40 overs, I would love to see that. In England, they used to have the pro-40 and that was a huge competition. I think the game has gone too long, in my opinion. The speed that the teams bowl their 50 overs is so slow, it's down around 11 or 12 overs/hour and that is not acceptable. People will argue that maybe it is a glorified T20 game but it is about the crowds," in a video by ESPNCricinfo.

But, Finch does not want this idea to be used during the matches of big teams. The former Aussie skipper thinks that this idea can help the likes of struggling West Indies side, who did not even qualify for the Cricket World Cup last year.

"I am not quite sold on that for every series. I think when you have got the big dogs all playing against each other, I still think the 50-over game's electric, and the ebbs and flows are wonderful but when they are so one-sided, when you have got the West Indies... who are trying to fight their way back into the World Cup, they are so off the track, I think 40 overs might suit that type of series, it might bring them closer together," he concluded.

10 | Suryakumar Yadav | India

World Number 1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav occupies the 10th position. In 54 T20Is for India, he has hit 108 sixes.

09 | Evin Lewis | West Indies

West Indies batter Evin Lewis has played in 53 T20Is, in which he has smashed 111 sixes.

08 | Virat Kohli | India

Batting superstar Virat Kohli has played in 115 T20Is for India and smashed 177 sixes.

07 | Jos Buttler | England

England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler has hammered 117 sixes in 109 T20Is so far.

06 | Eoin Morgan | England

Former England captain Eoin Morgan smacked a total of 120 sixes in 115 T20Is

05 | Paul Stirling | Ireland

Ireland skipper Paul Stirling has played in 131 T20Is so far and has hammered 123 sixes.

04 | Chris Gayle | West Indies

Chris Gayle hammered 124 sixes in 79 T20Is for West Indies.

03 | Aaron Finch | Australia

With 125 maximums to his name in 103 T20Is, former Australian skipper Aaron Finch is in 3rd place.

02 | Martin Guptill | New Zealand

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has hammered 173 sixes in 122 T20Is played so far.

Rohit Sharma holds the world record for hitting the highest number of 182 sixes in 148 T20Is.

10 | Shikhar Dhawan

He amassed a total of 1256 runs in 30 Indian-Australia ODIs

09 | Steve Smith

In 28 India-Australia ODIs, he scored 1306 runs for Australia.

08 | Matthew Hayden

In 28 ODIs against India, he has scored 1450 runs

07 | Aaron Finch

In 32 ODIs against India, he scored 1460 runs for Australia

06 | Adam Gilchrist

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter he scored 1672 runs in 46 ODIs against India

05 | MS Dhoni

In 55 India-Australia ODIs, he amassed a total of 1600 runs

04 | Ricky Ponting

Former Australian skipper he has scored, the most runs for Australian in ODIs against India. Ponting played in 59 matches and scored 2164 runs.

03 | Virat Kohli

He has scored 2313 runs in 48 ODIs against Australia

02 | Rohit Sharma

In 44 India-Australia ODIs, Rohit has scored 2332 runs to his name.

In 71 ODIs against Australia, he scored 3077 runs

Australian Batsman & Skipper Aaron Finch announced his retirement from T20 Internationals. He brought an end to his successful career as a Batsman & a Captain. Now there will be a new Captain for Australia for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.

"Realising that I won't be playing on until the next T20 World Cup in 2024, now is the right moment to step down and give the team time to plan and build towards that event," Finch said.

"I'd like to thank my family, especially my wife Amy, my team-mates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia, and the Australian Cricketers' Association for their support to allow me to play the game I love at the highest level. I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career.

"Team success is what you play the game for and the maiden T20 World Cup win in 2021 and lifting the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be the two memories I cherish the most. To be able to represent Australia for 12 years and play with and against some of the greatest players of all time has been an incredible honor," - Finch added

He had a successful tournament for Melbourne Renegades, where he made 428 runs with an average of 38.90. He still decided that he won't push through to August for T20 Internationals in South Africa. Finch led the team to their first T20 World Cup title defeating New Zealand in Dubai in 2021.

T20 Internationals

Aaron Finch's Career:

Finch made his T20 Internationals debut against England at Adelaide Oval in 2011. Finch retires with 3120 runs in 103 T20Is with an average of 34.28 and a strike rate of 142.53 including 19 half centuries & 2 centuries. He smashed 125 massive sixes in his career. His high score is 172, which he made against Zimbabwe in 2018. A record he also held with his 156 against England in 2013. He retired as the leading T20 run scorer for Australia.

There is no such news about the Captain position in Australia. Wade could be the option but it is too late to make him a Captain as he could also leave International Cricket. Pat Cummins can be an option but managing in every format is not a regular thing in recent times in Cricket. It will be known as soon as the South Africa series will come.