Top 10 Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair in Test Cricket

In the thrilling and unpredictable world of Test cricket, some of the most experienced players those who have scored over 2000 runs have also seen their worst nightmare: a pair. Being dismissed for zero in both innings of a match is a hard pill to swallow, especially for legends. In this article, we dive deep into the lives and stats of 10 incredible players who fall into the rare category of “Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair”.

Let’s count them down from 10 to 1 and explore how their strong careers came face to face with cricket’s toughest challenge.

List of Top 10 Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair in Test Cricket

10. Shane Warne

Shane Warne was a genius with the ball. As one of the most successful bowlers in Test history, his legacy is unshakable. But with the bat, Warne often struggled. Even though he scored over 3100 runs, Warne was never able to get a century. He faced the embarrassment of a pair twice, showing how tough batting can be even for legends. Despite that, he was known for his fighting spirit and important late-order runs.

This legendary spinner is also part of the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair club, highlighting that even match-winners can have dark days.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
145	3154	99	0	34	2

9. Mohammad Ashraful

Mohammad Ashraful was once the youngest batter to score a Test century. He was seen as Bangladesh’s bright future. But over time, inconsistency caught up with him. Despite scoring over 2700 runs and 6 centuries, Ashraful had several forgettable innings including two pairs.

His journey into the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair list reminds us that talent alone isn’t enough in international cricket consistency and mental strength matter just as much.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
61	2737	190	6	16	2

8. Prasanna Jayawardene – The Quiet Contributor

Often overshadowed by the legendary Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna quietly built a solid Test career. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he scored over 2100 runs and even registered four centuries. But like many others, he too had bad days, including two instances of scoring a pair.

His inclusion among the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair shows how even behind-the-scenes contributors can face the wrath of the red ball.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
58	2124	154*	4	9	2

7. Ramnaresh Sarwan

Sarwan played some of the finest innings for West Indies in the 2000s. With 15 centuries and a high score of 291, he was a dependable presence in the middle order. However, even his strong technique couldn’t save him from the rare failure of scoring two pairs.

Part of the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair, Sarwan’s story teaches us that cricket never guarantees success even to the most stylish players.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
87	5842	291	15	12	2

6. Chris Gayle

We often remember Chris Gayle for his massive sixes in T20 cricket, but his Test record is equally powerful. With a triple century and 15 hundreds, Gayle was a game-changer. However, even he fell to the pressure of red-ball cricket, scoring two pairs in his long Test career.

It’s surprising to find such a dominating player in the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair list, but that’s the beauty and brutality of Test cricket.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
103	7214	333	15	15	2

5. Mitchell Johnson – A Bowler Who Could Also Bat

Mitchell Johnson is remembered for his fiery pace and match-winning spells, especially during the Ashes. But he was no mug with the bat he scored over 2000 runs with a century. Despite this, Johnson also had two pairs in Tests and 19 ducks.

His name among the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair proves that even all-rounders who shine in both departments can falter when least expected.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
73	2065	123*	1	19	2

4. Ian Bell

Ian Bell was a joy to watch. He brought elegance and calm to England’s batting lineup. With over 7700 runs and 22 centuries, Bell’s credentials are world-class. But even he had two terrible outings in his career where he was dismissed for a pair.

He joins the list of Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair, proving that even the most technically gifted batters can suffer a complete breakdown.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
118	7727	235	22	14	2

3. Ridley Jacobs

Ridley Jacobs gave West Indies reliability both behind the stumps and with the bat. He scored over 2500 runs with three centuries and was often the anchor in difficult situations. But even he was out for a pair twice during his career.

His name in the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair group reminds fans that wicketkeepers carry heavy responsibility and are just as vulnerable to pressure.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
65	2577	118	3	12	2

2. Andrew Flintoff

Flintoff brought fire and energy to England’s cricket in the 2000s. His efforts with both bat and ball were key to England’s memorable Ashes moments. Yet, in a shock to many fans, Flintoff scored a pair three times in his Test career.

As one of the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair, Flintoff’s example shows that even the most dependable match-winners are not immune to collapse.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
79	3845	167	5	17	3

1. Marvan Atapattu

At the top of our list is Sri Lanka’s former opener, Marvan Atapattu. His career began with five ducks in six innings, and he was nearly written off. But his comeback story is one of the greatest in Test history. With 16 centuries and over 5500 runs, he silenced critics.

Shockingly, Atapattu also had four pairs in his career the highest in this list. That makes him a headline name in the Players with 2000 Runs Scoring a Pair, and a symbol of how cricket breaks and builds careers.

Matches	Runs	Highest Score	100s	Ducks	Pairs
90	5502	249	16	22	4

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