Top 3 run-getters of the T20 World Cup 2026 group stage

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 got underway on February 7 with 20 teams spread across four groups, and from the very start, it has been a tournament that allowed little margin for error. With only eight sides progressing to the Super Eight stage, batters were required to deliver consistently rather than rely on isolated bursts of form. That challenge was heightened by a variety of conditions.

What has added to the intrigue is the nature of the tournament itsel  f, packed with close finishes, tense chases, and associate nations pushing established sides deep into games. In a competition filled with thrillers, the top three run-getters stood out not merely for the volume of runs they scored, but for their ability to read conditions, control tempo, and construct innings when scoring was far from easy.

Here are the top 3 run-getters from T20 WC 2026 group stage

3. Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 182 runs

Kusal Mendis’ presence on this list underlined how effectively Sri Lanka’s batters made use of home conditions. Across four matches and four innings, he scored 182 runs at an average of 60.67 and a strike rate of 124.66, finding the boundary 18 times and clearing it once. Finishing as the second Sri Lankan among the top three run-getters reflected a broader understanding within the batting group of how to score on surfaces that rewarded patience, rotation, and shot selection over pure power.

Mendis set the tone early in the tournament with three consecutive half-centuries against Oman, Ireland, and Australia, anchoring the innings when scoring became increasingly difficult through consolidation overs. Rather than chasing an inflated strike rate, he focused on working the field, using soft hands and precise placement against spin to keep the scoreboard moving.

2. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 199 runs

Pathum Nissanka enjoyed an outstanding group stage, scoring 199 runs from four matches and four innings at an average of 66.33 and a strike rate of 156.69, while finding the boundary 21 times and clearing it on six occasions. His campaign was defined by one of the standout innings of the tournament, a commanding 100 off 52 balls against Australia, where he controlled the powerplay before adapting as the surface slowed. The knock underlined his ability to shift gears without losing shape, particularly once spin came into play.

Beyond the century, Nissanka’s overall returns reflected how effectively the Lankan Lions' top order made use of home conditions. He consistently maximised the powerplay, ensuring Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the required tempo before batting became more challenging through the middle overs. By combining clean striking with precise placement, Nissanka set the tone at the top and played a central role in guiding Sri Lanka smoothly into the Super Eights stage.

1. Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan) – 220 runs

Sahibzada Farhan top-scored the group-stage campaign with 220 runs from four games at an average of 73.33 and a strike rate of 164.18, while also striking 21 fours and 11 sixes. All of Pakistan’s group matches were played in Sri Lanka, where surfaces slowed down quickly, and spinners dictated terms through the middle overs. Farhan’s numbers stand out in that context, as he consistently found ways to bat deep, read lengths early, and avoid forcing shots when the ball held in the surface.

Apart from a lone failure against India, the ace opener was Pakistan’s most dependable batter throughout the league phase. His standout knock came against Namibia, where he became only the second Pakistani batter to score a T20 World Cup hundred. The innings was built with patience before acceleration, allowing him to stay in control against spin and pick his moments against pace. That clarity of approach enabled Farhan to sustain a strike rate of 164 even on pitches that tested timing, balance, and shot selection.

Last updated: February 19, 2026 6:30 PM IST