Top Five Players who featured in Most Number of ICC World Cups

Every player dreams of representing his county in the world’s biggest cricketing extravaganza, the ICC Cricket World Cup. Meanwhile, International Cricket Council (ICC) organises the event every four years,  with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament.

Meanwhile, it is one of the world’s most viewed sporting events and is considered the “flagship event of the international cricket calendar” by the ICC. England hosted the first World Cup in June 1975 with the first ODI cricket match having been played only four years earlier.

Cricketers from around the world strive to make a mark in the World Cup, however, many fail to represent their country in the mega event. Further, there are several players who have represented their county for more than one World Cup.

With the 12th edition of the mega event in few months time, let us look at the players who have played the most number of World Cups.

Javed Miandad (1975-1996)

Javed Miandad is one of the most successful players from Pakistan. Although Miandad was not that classical in his approach at the crease, he had almost all shots in his book.

He was one of the early pioneers of aggressive ODI running, shot placement and mental strength produced outstanding results. Miandad represented Pakistan in as many as six World Cups, the most by any player. He played 33 matches scoring 1083 runs including one hundred.

His dream of lifting the much-coveted trophy saw the light when Pakistan won the trophy in 1992 beating England in the final.

Sachin Tendulkar (1992-2011)

Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the greatest batsmen to have graced the cricketing field. He has an array of records to his name including the most number of runs in Test and ODI formats.

Tendulkar represented India in six World Cups and has some outstanding statistics to his name. He is highest run-scorer in the World Cup with 2278 runs to his name in 45 games. He also has the most number of hundreds to his name with six centuries.

Sachin became the highest run-scorer in the 2003 edition despite India losing in the final against Australia. The only thing left in Sachin’s career was lifting the mega trophy which happened in the 2011 World Cup. India won the final beating Sri Lanka as Sachin lifted the cup in his home soil.

Ricky Ponting (1996-2011)

Ricky Ponting is arguably the best captain the cricketing world have ever witnessed. Leading Australia to two World Cup titles, he has gone down to the history books.

Along with it, he has represented the Aussies three more Cups thus making it a tally of five. He also has a staggering record in the mega event.

Ponting has scored 1743 runs in 46 World Cup matches at an average of 45.86. Along with it, he also has five centuries to his name, the second best after Sachin Tendulkar. He is currently associated with the Australia squad, who are on a tour to England for an ODI series.

Muttiah Muralitharan (1996-2011)

The highest wicket-taker in the ODIs, Muttiah Muralitharan was the best in the business. He has led Sri Lanka cricket with his brilliant off-spin over the years.

The legend was also a part of the 1996 World Cup when Sri Lanka lifted the trophy. It was his World Cup as a player and he couldn’t have asked for more. Since then, he went on to four more World Cups before bidding adieu to cricket.

Muralitharan has played 40 matches for the Islander in the World Cup picking 68 wickets with the best figure of 4 for 19.

Glenn McGrath (1996-2007)

One of the greatest exponents of swing bowling, McGrath has been the best Australia have ever produced. In a career ranging over 14 years, McGrath has played four ICC World Cups.

In the 39 matches, he has played, McGrath has claimed 71 wickets at an average of 18.19. Moreover, he has the best figures of 7 for 15 against Namibia in the 200 World Cup in South Africa.

He also has two World Cups to his name being part of the 2003 and 2007 World Cup teams.

Also read: India vs Afghanistan, One-Off Test – Statistical Highlights