In international cricket, the players obviously want to be consistent against all opposition, but frequently they have one favourite opposition that they consistently score a lot of runs against and keep a very high batting average. Here are the top seven batsmen in ODI cricket (minimum of five ODIs) who have faced one opponent:
- Mark Boucher (Average against Kenya – 139.00)
In addition to having a very high average against Kenya, the former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher also had a very high strike rate against Kenya. In 9 games versus Kenya, Boucher averaged 139.00 with 2 half-centuries. In those games, he had a 149.46 strike rate.
- Steve Tikolo (Average against Bermuda – 140.33)
The former Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo batted at an average of 140.33 against Bermuda, which is amazing considering that his entire ODI average is only 29. Tikolo scored 421 runs with 103 half-centuries in 8 games he played against Bermuda.
- James Neesham (Average against Sri Lanka – 170.00)
James Neesham is yet another player who bats down in the order, giving him the chance to remain unbeaten at the wicket on numerous occasions. Neesham averages 170.00 against Sri Lanka in 6 ODIs since he has completed the majority of his games against the Island nation without being dismissed.
- David Miller (Average against England – 207.00)
Since David Miller has only been removed once by England’s bowlers in ODI cricket thus far, his situation is very similar to that of Asif Mujataba. The South African left-hander has faced England in seven one-day internationals and has amassed a total of 207 runs, with an average of 207.00.
- MS Dhoni (Average against Zimbabwe – 208.00)
Dhoni also scores frequently against Zimbabwe, but his performance there doesn’t significantly affect his lifetime average. Out of the 350 ODIs that Dhoni has played so far in his career, he has only faced Zimbabwe in six of them. In comparison to his lifetime average of 50.58, Dhoni’s average versus Zimbabwe is 208.00. If the games against Zimbabwe are taken out of the equation, Dhoni’s average still stands at 50.55.
- Asif Mujtaba (Average against Australia – 214.00)
In his seven-year ODI career, which lasted from 1987 to 1994, Pakistani batsman Asif Mujtaba averaged 214.00 against Australia. But a big part of that is because he didn’t get out in 5 of the 6 innings he played against Australia. In 6 games against Australia, Mujtaba amassed 214 runs, including 2 half-centuries and a top score of 60. He was only out once, therefore his average ended up being equal to the number of runs he scored.
- Fakhar Zaman (Average against Zimbabwe – 257.50)
Zimbabwe is Fakhar Zaman’s preferred ODI cricket opponent. The Pakistani opener, who bats with the left hand, has five games against Zimbabwe under his belt and has 515 runs at an average of 275.50. Fakhar has participated in 46 ODIs altogether, giving him a 46.62 ODI average. When Fakhar’s games against Zimbabwe are taken out of the equation, his average drops to 37.
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