Top 5 cricketers from 90s who could have ruled modern T20 game

Published - 04 Oct 2025, 18:40 IST | Updated - 04 Oct 2025, 18:41 IST

Cricket has been one of the most followed sports across the globe for decades. The game, which started in the traditional Test format, gradually embraced the One-Day Internationals (ODIs), giving fans a faster version of the sport. But the 21st century witnessed a revolution with the arrival of Twenty20 cricket, popularly known as T20s. This 20-over format transformed the dynamics of the game and quickly became the most popular form of cricket worldwide.

While today’s generation has grown up watching the big-hitting T20 superstars like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, one cannot help but wonder how the legends of the 1990s, who only played Tests and ODIs, would have performed if T20s existed during their peak. On that note, let us take a look at five players from the 1990s era who could have ruled T20 cricket.

Pakistan’s left-arm magician Wasim Akram was one of the greatest fast bowlers the world has ever seen. If T20s had been around during his career, Akram would have been the most complete bowler in the format. His mastery of swing and seam movement made him lethal with the new ball, while his unplayable yorkers and deceptive slower deliveries would have been tailor-made for the death overs.

With over 500 wickets in ODIs and more than 400 in Tests, Akram’s records speak volumes about his dominance. His ability to outthink batters with clever variations would have made him a go-to bowler in pressure situations in the shortest format.