Kusal Mendis Completes 5,000 Runs in T20 Cricket: Key Stats
By Parth Dhall | Edited by Rajdeep Saha | Sep 19, 2025
Star Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis has achieved a significant milestone by completing 5,000 runs in men’s T20 cricket. The 30-year-old reached this landmark during the 2025 T20 Asia Cup encounter against Afghanistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Mendis, known for his prolific run-scoring ability, became the fifth Sri Lankan player to amass over 5,000 runs in T20 cricket. He played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s successful chase of 170, smashing an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls that included 10 fours.
Match Highlights: Mendis Shines Against Afghanistan
Sri Lanka faced early setbacks in the match, losing Pathum Nissanka cheaply for 22 runs in the first wicket. Soon after, Kamil Mishara also departed with the score at 47/2. However, Mendis steadied the innings with significant partnerships.
He added 45 runs for the third wicket with Kusal Perera, followed by 27 runs alongside Charith Asalanka. In the final stages of the innings, Mendis then forged an unbeaten 52-run partnership with Kamindu Mendis, guiding Sri Lanka to a comfortable 171/4 and securing the win.
Joining an Elite Club of Sri Lankan T20 Run-Scorers
With this milestone, Mendis joins an exclusive group of Sri Lankan cricketers to have surpassed 5,000 T20 runs. He achieved the feat in his 185th T20 appearance, joining legends like Kumar Sangakkara (6,937 runs), Mahela Jayawardene (5,479 runs), Tillakaratne Dilshan (5,193 runs), and Dinesh Chandimal (5,131 runs).
Currently, Kusal Perera is the closest rival to Mendis in Sri Lankan T20 runs, with 4,933 runs at an average of 26.66.
Performance and Career Stats
In 185 T20 matches (180 innings), Kusal Mendis boasts an average of 30.16 and a strike rate of 137.27. His tally includes 2 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
Earlier this year, he also became only the second Sri Lankan batter to cross 2,000 runs in T20 Internationals (T20Is). In fact, in T20I cricket, Mendis has scored 2,164 runs in 87 matches, making him the second-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka behind Kusal Perera, who has 2,187 runs. Mendis has recorded 17 half-centuries in T20Is so far.
Asia Cup Records
According to Cricbuzz, Mendis now holds the record for the highest individual score in a successful T20 Asia Cup chase, surpassing Mohammad Rizwan’s 71 against India in Dubai (2022). He also registered the second-highest individual score for Sri Lanka in T20 Asia Cup history, just behind Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 75* versus Pakistan in Mirpur (2016).
Kusal Mendis continues to cement his legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s premier T20 batsmen with his consistent performances and important contributions in crucial matches.
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