Karanbir Singh has etched his name in cricketing history by setting a new world record for the most runs in T20I cricket in a calendar year. Representing Austria, Karanbir overtook Mohammad Rizwan’s 2021 mark of 1,326 runs during their tour of Romania 2025, finishing with a stunning 1,488 runs.
At the beginning of the tour, Karanbir required only 87 runs to rewrite the record books. On October 18, he unleashed two blistering knocks — first a 57 off 27 balls and then a superb 90 off 46. These innings carried him beyond Rizwan’s total in emphatic fashion.
Power-Hitting Display Sets New Benchmark
Karanbir didn’t slow down after breaking the record. He piled on another 74 off 44 balls and a rapid 27 off 12 in the following matches to extend his tally further. His final total of 1,488 runs in 32 innings now stands as the highest ever in a single T20I year.
His hitting statistics underline his dominance. Karanbir has struck 127 fours this year, eclipsing Rizwan’s 2021 tally by eight boundaries. Even more impressive, his 122 sixes are nearly double the next best — Suryakumar Yadav, who hit 68 in 2022.
Associate Cricket Stars on the Rise
It wasn’t just Karanbir who shone during the series. In the fourth T20I at Moara Vlasiei Cricket Ground in Ilfov County, his teammate Bilal Zalmai crossed the 1,000-run mark in a single calendar year. This achievement made him only the fourth cricketer ever to do so. Bahrain’s Fiaz Ahmed is also on the brink, needing just 57 more runs to reach the same milestone.
Karanbir’s spectacular form highlights how associate nations are producing world-class batting talent. His blend of power, timing, and consistency has brought new attention to Austria’s cricketing progress and shifted the spotlight away from the usual powerhouses.
Most Runs in a Calendar Year in Men’s T20Is:
Karanbir Singh (Austria) – 1,488 runs in 32 innings – 2025
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – 1,326 runs in 26 innings – 2021
Suryakumar Yadav (India) – 1,164 runs in 31 innings – 2022
Stay tuned for all the latest Sports News, follow SportsNewsTime on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram