Jos Buttler was on the verge of an incredible achievement on Sunday at the Oval. He needed just 24 runs for Manchester Super Giants – achievable in just a dozen deliveries at the rate he’s been going recently - to become the all-time leading run scorer in T20 cricket. Ever. By Anyone. Kieron Pollard holds the record with an astonishing 14,803 runs (including an amazing 1001 sixes.) Before Sunday Buttler had 14,780 (with 644 sixes.)
But. And it’s a big but. Facing Buttler was Rashid Khan, the spinner with more T20 franchises in his portfolio than you’ve had Kentucky Fried Chickens. Now, this is the match-up of all match-ups. Rashid is Buttler’s original nemesis. In 12 previous outings against him in IPL and Big Bash, Buttler had managed only two boundaries against him – TWO boundaries from 78 balls faced – and been dismissed by Rashid 5 times. There were moments during IPL contests between them when Buttler looked like a new-born foal on roller skates. The biggest smile on Buttler’s face in the last year came when Rashid was picked in the IPL auction by his own (new) franchise, Gujurat Titans. He only had to face him in the nets.
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