T20 cricket is one of the fastest evolving formats of the game. Over the years, many cricketers have shown off new skills and innovation in this format of cricket. However, one thing which has been quite rare in T20 cricket history is batting at the No. 12 position among the players.
Generally, a playing XI for a cricket match features only 11 players. So, the last batting position in a lineup is No. 11 only. However, because of ICC’s new rule of concussion substitute, there is a provision of playing even more than 11 players in the batting lineup.
Many Indian cricket fans would remember how leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal came in as a concussion substitute for Ravindra Jadeja in a T20I match against the Australian cricket team back in 2020 and then took three wickets for the Men in Blue. Similarly, if there is a concussion substitution during the batting team’s innings only, the new batter has the permission to bat as well if the substituted batter is not out.
In that scenario, the players who come out to play in the last position are the No. 12 batters. Here’s a list of the two batters who have batted at this unique position in T20 cricket.
1. One of the current Afghanistan players, Naveen-ul-Haq
Afghanistan’s fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq became the first player in T20 cricket history to bat at No. 12 when he got a chance to do so while playing in the 2022 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. He accomplished the feat in the match against the Chattogram Challengers while playing for the Khulna Tigers.
2. Kgaudisa Molefe
Players batting at No.12 position in men's T20 cricket:
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 26, 2022
Naveen-ul-Haq in 2022
For Khulna Tigers v Chattogram Challengers
Kgaudisa Molefe in 2022
For Warriors v Dolphins#CSAT20Challenge
In a recent match of the CSA T20 Challenge, Kgaudisa Molefe became the second batter to bat in the number 12 position for a T20 team. He was playing for the Warriors team against the Dolphins in the domestic league of South African cricket.
