Aaron Johnson. (Source – Getty Images)
Aaron Johnson has been a standout performer for Canada in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Canada opener notched up an important half-century against Pakistan on June 11 as all other five batters combined just nine runs when he got out on 52 off 44 balls, hitting four fours and equal number of sixes. The Jamaica-born has played 19 T20Is and has amassed 802 runs at an impressive average of 47.18 and a massive strike rate of 160.08.
During the 2023 season, Johnson became the Canadian cricketer with the most international centuries. He is also the fastest Canadian cricketer to surpass the 500-run mark. His prowess could be gauged because he is ranked among the Top 100 batters in international cricket as per ICC. Johnson is known for his aggressive style of batting but he has shown his temperament on slow USA pitches at the T20 World Cup 2024.
It’s our first T20 win against a Test playing nation: Johnson
Johnson joined the Canadian national team in 2022. He was born and raised in Jamaica but the family decided to move to Fort McMurray in Alta in his teenage. Before joining the Canadian ranks, he used to play for British Columbia and eventually made it to Global T20 Canada and proved his mettle. He later announced himself on the bigger stage after scoring 109 runs against Oman in a T20I game, this was the record score for any Canadian batter at the time.
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Notably, Canada displayed their skills as they beat Ireland in T20 World Cup 2024 on June 7.
“It’s a very big win for us. It’s a historic win. It’s our first T20 win against a Test- playing nation, and this just shows that Canada has a lot to offer to the world of cricket. I’m pretty sure this will drive a lot of investment in Canadian cricket to show that we are here to compete. We are not just here to be a part of the tournament,” Johnson said on win against Ireland.
“And moving forward, we got ODI status earlier, and we qualified to play here in the World Cup, so I think it’s massive, and for us as a group, it drives a sense of belief within the group. So, I think we have to just take it in stride and keep moving forward,” he added.