Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is
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Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

Not Sachin Tendulkar, Dinesh Karthik won the first man-of-the-match for India 

The Twenty20 format was introduced because of reducing interest in One-Day International matches and Tests. The organizers noticed that the number of attendance in the ODIs and the Tests at the stadiums have been gradually reducing due to its length, five days for the Tests, and at least eight hours a day for the ODIs. However, many cricketers have struggled to adopt the style, approach, and method of execution in the shortest format. But some cricketers have achieved and been successful in the shortest format also along with Tests and ODIs. 

In this article, the cricketers will be selected from Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is .

Graeme Smith (South Africa)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

South African cricket team has a noticeable record in T20 international cricket. They have a win-loss record of 71-52 in the shortest format of the game. South Africa, having played their first T20I match in 2005, failed to win the first two T20I fixtures, losing to New Zealand and then against Australia. South Africa finally avenged the loss against Australia in February 2006 by winning by two runs at Wanderers. Graeme Smith guided his team remaining unbeaten 59 off 58 deliveries hitting 11 fours and one six to become the first man-of-the-match from his country in a T20I match. 

Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

Afghanistan cricket team introduced themselves through their maiden appearance in international cricket in the Twenty20 World Cup in 2010. Although they could not win a single match in the competition but improved later and became a Test-paling nation in the next decade. Afghanistan in its third T20I against Ireland in the 2010 T20 World Cup qualifiers had fought with Ireland and the team’s all-rounder Mohammad Nabi acquired the man-of-the-match award, scoring 43 runs and 2 wickets. 

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Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

Looking at the Country-wise first ever man of the match in T20Is from Australia’s part, statistics show that Australia appeared in its maiden Twenty20 International match against New Zealand in 2005. Australian captain Ricky Ponting guided his team to a memorable victory at Eden Park with an excellent 98 and became the first man-of-the-match. Ponting, going to bat at number four position, struck 98 off just 55 deliveries. 

Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

Bangladesh hosted the first T20I at home, organizing the match against Zimbabwe at Khulna. Bangladesh won the game by 43 runs. But they were in a difficult situation, losing 7 wickets for 115 runs. Mashrafe Mortaza rescued the team and guided them to a formidable total of 167. Mortaza became the man-of-the-match for the first time with a useful 36 off 26 deliveries. 

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Kevin Pietersen (England)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

England was the third country to have clinched the ICC Twenty20 World Cup title. England played their first T20I in the competition against Australia at Southampton and registered a 100-run thumping victory. Kevin Pietersen snatched the man-of-the-match award from his colleagues for his turbulent 34 off 18 deliveries at a strike rate of 188.89, the innings changed the momentum and took England to such a total (179/8) that helped English bowlers to seal Australian innings. 

Dinesh Karthik (India)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

Considering India’s perspective in the Country-wise first ever man of the match in T20Is India participated in their maiden T20I against South Africa in December 2006. At Johannesburg, chasing South Africa’s 127 runs India also did not cover it up smoothly. India won it in the final over as Dinesh Karthik became the first man-of-the-match remaining unbeaten 31 off just 28 deliveries. 

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Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

Shahid Afridi, one of the most aggressive batsmen in Pakistan’s cricket history won the man-of-the-match in his country’s first Twenty20 International match against England in Bristol in 2006. Batting first England scored 144. Pakistan won the match by five wickets as Afridi struck 28 off 10 deliveries hitting five fours and a huge six at a strike rate of 288. Afridi’s turbulent innings ensured the victory for Pakistan. 

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Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the best batsmen in Sri Lanka for his aggression on the crease. He also could change the complexion of the game in their favor at any time. His all-around brilliance helped Sri Lanka register their first victory in the T20I against England. Sri Lanka, batting first scored 163runs as Jayasuriya scored 41 off 31 balls. England's innings ended at 161. Jayasuriya also bagged two important wickets and became man-of-the-match. 

Jeetan Patel (New Zealand)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

New Zealand, after their loss against Australia in their maiden T20I against Australia, played their second T20I in the same year in 2005 October against South Africa. The Proteas scored 133 as Jeetan Patel the spinner scalped three crucial wickets of Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, and Albie Morkel, conceding just 20 runs and became the first man-of-the-match for New Zealand. The Kiwis won the game by five wickets. 

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Dwayne Smith (West Indies)

Top 10 Cricketers who won 1st man of the match in T20Is

West Indies is the only team in world cricket to have won Twenty20 World Cup twice. They also are the defending champions. But interestingly, the first T20I West Indies played against New Zealand at Eden Park ended in a tie. Both the teams finished their innings at 126 in 20 overs. Dwayne Smith earned the man-of-the-match award mainly for having bagged two wickets at the cost of only 9 runs in 3.2 overs. Smith’s bowling helped West Indies to make the tie.